On December 9, 2024, Jakarta hosted the inaugural session of the Kazakhstan-Indonesia Expert Council, established under the Memorandum of Cooperation between the Kazakhstan Institute for Strategic Studies (KazISS) and the Foreign Policy Community of Indonesia (FPCI).
The event, organized by the Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan in the Republic of Indonesia, brought together leaders and representatives from various institutions and organizations, including:
- Yerkin Tukumov, Director of KazISS under the President of Kazakhstan,
- Aidar Kurmashev, Head of the Asian Studies Department at KazISS,
- Aliya Mussabekova, Chief Expert of the Asian Studies Department at KazISS,
- Dino Patti Djalal, Chairman of FPCI,
- Serzhan Abdykarimov, Kazakhstan’s Ambassador to Indonesia,
- Sultan Akimbekov, Director of the Institute of Asian Studies,
- B. Susanto, Head of the Central Asia Research Center at Pembangunan Nasional Veteran Jakarta University.
The session began with a video address by Yerkin Tukumov, who emphasized the importance of the event for fostering interregional cooperation. In his speech, he stated:
“Kazakhstan and Indonesia, as middle powers, play a vital role in the contemporary geopolitical landscape, acting as the ‘glue of rationality’ and promoting dialogue for global peace and sustainable development.
To ensure the effectiveness of the Expert Council, it is essential to focus on mutually beneficial topics. For instance, discussions could revolve around interregional connectivity and the creation of cascading supply chains between Central and Southeast Asia. In 2023, Kazakhstan expanded its non-commodity export geography to 135 countries, with significant growth in East Asia: China (+8%), South Korea (+26%), and Vietnam (+46%). This presents opportunities for economic collaboration.
Another important topic is middle-power diplomacy—exchanging strategies for engaging with major powers. Jointly studying successful approaches to maintaining strategic autonomy and regional stability, as well as exchanging academic articles, analytical reports, and case studies, will be beneficial for both countries.”
Aidar Kurmashev, Head of the Asian Studies Department at KazISS, delivered a report on Kazakhstan’s role as a middle power and its approach to engaging with global superpowers. He highlighted three key areas of Kazakhstan’s foreign policy: economic diplomacy, protection of national interests, and fostering interregional cooperation. Kurmashev also pointed to Kazakhstan’s demographic and economic strengths:
“Kazakhstan’s demographic dividend, with nearly half the population under the age of 30, offers a unique opportunity for economic modernization and the strengthening of social institutions.”
The need for strategic cooperation among middle powers amidst growing global polarization was a key focus:
“Middle powers like Kazakhstan and Indonesia can contribute to stability and sustainable development through experience-sharing and the creation of new platforms for collaboration,” said Kurmashev.
Aliya Mussabekova, Chief Expert of the Asian Studies Department at KazISS, also delivered a report online, stating:
“Central Asian countries are striving to meet their basic socio-economic needs while allocating significant resources to redefine their roles in a highly unstable global environment. Examining the drivers of regional integration in Central Asia reveals three key factors—shared threats, interconnectedness, and regional identity.”
The meeting featured discussions on integration processes in Central and Southeast Asia, mechanisms for managing relations with global powers, and prospects for economic cooperation. Participants agreed that the Expert Council would serve as a vital platform for fostering partnerships and developing joint solutions.
The event marked a significant step toward strengthening ties between Kazakhstan and Indonesia and creating more resilient and mutually beneficial relations between Central and Southeast Asia.
