During the meeting, the parties discussed issues of international and regional security, the current dynamics of cooperation in Central Asia, as well as the role of preventive diplomacy in the region.

Mr. Shaimardanov noted the important role of UNRCCA in promoting dialogue and cooperation in the region. During the conversation, the Director of KAZISS briefed the guest on Kazakhstan’s position on the key issues of the global agenda, as well as on the progress of the constitutional reform in the country.

The parties exchanged views on the areas of regional cooperation development, the prospects of the C5+1 format, and the role of international institutions in maintaining stability and security in Central Asia.

Particular attention was given to the prospects for cooperation between UNRCCA and the national analytical institutions of the Central Asian states.

Mr. Imnadze noted the significance of the meeting in the context of discussing pressing issues of regional development. The Head of UNRCCA particularly emphasized the importance of jointly addressing water-related issues in the region.

Following the meeting, the parties confirmed their interest in further developing cooperation.

Сообщение Meeting with the Head of the Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia Held at KAZISS появились сначала на KAZAKHSTAN INSTITUTE FOR STRATEGIC STUDIES
UNDER THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF KAZAKHSTAN.

Aigul Zabirova,

Chief Research Fellow

 KazISS under the President of the RK

More and more Kazakhstanis say that everything matters. This is not an inability to choose, but a structural shift, social life no longer organizes itself around a single answer.

Sometimes sociological data does more than reveal trends, it makes us, as sociologists, pause. Look more closely. And even feel a sense of surprise.
This is precisely such a case.

When examining responses to questions about the importance of life values, one is struck by an almost complete consensus. Nearly everything is considered important, and not just important, but very important. For instance, 90% of respondents say that being independent is ‘very important, 91% emphasize taking care of oneself, 92% value being faithful to a partner, and 89% stress loyalty to their country[1].  

Family, children, responsibility, and personal development all rank highly.
At some point, you find yourself asking: where is the choice? After all, if something becomes more important, shouldn’t something else recede? But that is not what we observe here. Kazakhstanis affirm multiple priorities at once:
–being independent (90%),

–having children (87%),

–being married (81%),

–pursuing personal development (81%),

– and taking responsibility (85%).

And it does not appear as a contradiction. Rather, it feels like a natural state.
Why? Because today these values are no longer perceived as mutually exclusive. This is no longer an ‘either–or’ logic, but a logic of combination: one can be independent and have a family, build a career while seeking work–life balance, pursue personal development while caring for others.’ This is becoming a new, and increasingly common, way of organizing life in the 21st century. If we look more closely, values in the past were more rigid: family or career, tradition or modernity. Today, these boundaries have become blurred.
Individuals increasingly inhabit multiple states at once. This is not a conflict. It is an overlay, and one that is becoming normalized.

It is precisely here that sociologists begin to sense a deeper shift,
we are no longer dealing simply with a set of values, but with a transformation of social character itself. If we try to describe this new character in simple terms, it is a person who wants to rely on themselves, but not to be alone. They do not abandon the family, yet no longer dissolve into it.
They aspire to a career, while 87% say it is important to maintain a balance between work and personal life.

A similar pattern emerges when it comes to responsibility.
On the one hand, people increasingly emphasize independence and self-realization.
On the other, moral commitments remain highly significant: loyalty to a partner (92%), loyalty to one’s country (89%), and personal responsibility (85%). In other words, individuals are becoming more independent, but no less connected.

There is another dimension that further complicates the picture: digital life.
The digital world has become the norm, yet it is also beginning to feel exhausting.
This is a distinctly contemporary experience. While 74% consider it important to develop digital skills, 46% emphasize the importance of being able to disconnect from the Internet entirely.

Perhaps the question is not what Kazakhstanis want, but what lies behind this desire to have everything. Is it freedom of choice, or freedom from the need to choose? A society that wants everything at once may be allowing itself, perhaps for the first time, to imagine without limits. Or its value system may still be in the process of taking shape. Or it may be a society that is in no hurry to make a final choice, having already learned the cost such choices entail. The data does not give a definitive answer, but it clearly poses the question.

What kind of social reality is taking shape here? When we bring the full picture together, a relatively clear image emerges. This is a person who does not make a hard choice between the old and the new, but holds them together. We are witnessing a shift toward a condition in which different dimensions of life coexist simultaneously. People are not willing to ‘trade’ family for career, or stability for freedom. And perhaps the most essential question today is no longer what it should be, but whether we are ready to recognize it.

[1]The survey dated 07/11/12/2025, commissioned by KazISS, 8,000 respondents. Respondents over the age of 18 from 17 regions of the country and big cities Astana, Almaty and Shymkent took part in the survey.

Сообщение When Everything Matters: Rethinking Social Character in Kazakhstan появились сначала на KAZAKHSTAN INSTITUTE FOR STRATEGIC STUDIES
UNDER THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF KAZAKHSTAN.

The event was organized by the China Center for International Knowledge on Development (under the Development Research Center of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China) and the Institute of Macroeconomic and Regional Studies under the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

The conference brought together representatives of government agencies, think tanks, and the academic community from the countries of Central Asia and China.

In her speech, A. Mussabekova noted that China’s 15th Five-Year Plan for Socio-Economic Development, adopted in March 2026, enshrines cooperation with neighboring countries, including Central Asia, as a strategic priority.

“If previously cooperation was built primarily around trade and infrastructure, today we are witnessing a transition to a deeper model – the joint production of knowledge, technologies, and solutions,” she emphasized.

In this context, the development of the new expert interaction platform, the China–Central Asia Knowledge Network for Development, is of particular importance.

Сообщение KazISS Expert Took Part in a Symposium on Advancing China–Central Asia Cooperation появились сначала на KAZAKHSTAN INSTITUTE FOR STRATEGIC STUDIES
UNDER THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF KAZAKHSTAN.

This digest is devoted to analyzing the future of the agro-industrial complex through the lens of technological change.

At the current stage of global development, the food system is facing a number of challenges, including a shrinking agricultural workforce, degradation of natural resources, growing demand for food, and geopolitical instability. Under these conditions, artificial intelligence and new technologies are becoming important factors in shaping new models for improving the efficiency, sustainability, and adaptability of agriculture.

According to estimates by the World Economic Forum, the digitalization of the agricultural sector through the use of AI could generate an additional increase in aggregate GDP in low- and middle-income countries amounting to USD 450 billion per year, which corresponds to nearly 28% growth.

At the center of the author’s analysis are current tools and solutions that can contribute to strengthening food security, enhancing the sustainability of agriculture, and modernizing agri-food systems.

The digest is available in two languages:

in Russian – https://kisi.kz/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/agro_future_compressed_under2mb.pdf  

in English – https://insightscentral.asia/publications/97f9732b-7a75-42c4-8ea6-643f5abc33ce

Сообщение KazISS Releases a New Analytical Digest появились сначала на KAZAKHSTAN INSTITUTE FOR STRATEGIC STUDIES
UNDER THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF KAZAKHSTAN.

During the conversation, the parties discussed the current state and prospects of bilateral cooperation, as well as topical issues on the regional agenda.

Particular attention was paid to Turkmenistan’s significance in the regional agenda. The Director of KazISS noted the importance of the upcoming Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia in Ashgabat, emphasizing the important role of the Turkmen side in ensuring the substance and effectiveness of this format. The importance of holding the Central Asian Expert Forum in Ashgabat was also highlighted.

For his part, Mr. Rejepow noted the high level of relations between the two countries, based on the principles of good-neighborliness, mutual respect, and trust. He emphasized the importance of further strengthening bilateral cooperation and also expressed interest in continuing a constructive dialogue on key issues of the regional and international agenda.

During the meeting, the parties also exchanged views on the institutional and constitutional reforms being carried out in Kazakhstan. It was noted that these transformations form part of the country’s course toward further development and modernization.

Following the meeting, the parties confirmed their mutual interest in further developing bilateral cooperation and continuing contacts on current issues of the regional agenda.

Сообщение Meeting with the Ambassador of Turkmenistan Held at KazISS появились сначала на KAZAKHSTAN INSTITUTE FOR STRATEGIC STUDIES
UNDER THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF KAZAKHSTAN.

This special issue focuses on the methodological transformations of sociological research in the context of digitalization. Rapid technological change, evolving communication practices, declining response rates, and increasing difficulties in reaching respondents are creating new challenges for sociological surveys and public opinion research worldwide. At the same time, the growing availability of digital data and new analytical tools opens new opportunities for expanding the methodological toolkit of the social sciences.

These developments raise important questions about the future of empirical social research: how data should be collected in increasingly fragmented communication environments; how representativeness and data quality can be maintained; and how traditional survey methods can be combined with digital and computational data sources. Addressing these issues is essential for ensuring the reliability, validity, and relevance of sociological research in the digital era.

The special issue aims to bring together theoretical, methodological, and empirical contributions that critically examine emerging research practices and methodological innovations in contemporary social science.

We welcome submissions addressing, but not limited to, the following topics:

• methodological innovations in sociological surveys.
• Public opinion research in the digital age.
• Declining response rates and strategies to improve survey participation.
• Online surveys and digital data collection methods.
• Integration of survey data with digital trace data and big data.
• Mixed-methods and multimode research designs.
• Computational Social Science and new analytical tools.
• Sampling and representativeness in digital environments.
• Ethical issues and data governance in digital research.

All manuscripts will undergo a double-blind peer review process. Submissions may be made in Kazakh, Russian, or English and must follow the journal’s submission guidelines.

Submission deadline: 20-26 of April, 2026

Expected publication of the special issue: 1-2 of June, 2026

Manuscripts should be submitted to: https://journal-kogam.kisi.kz/index.php/kd/about/submissions

In the cover letter, it is necessary to indicate: “For the special issue on ‘Sociological Research in the Era of Digitalization: Trends and Challenges’.”

Guest Editor

Dr. Aigul Beimisheva

PhD in Sociology, Director, School of Arts and Social science Narxoz University, Kazakhstan

Dr. Beimisheva’s research focuses on social research methodology, public opinion studies, digital transformation of society, and the impact of disinformation on social processes in Central Asia. She has led several large-scale research projects on youth, media, and information ecosystems and actively works at the intersection of academic research and applied sociological analysis.

Сообщение Call for Papers Special Issue of the Journal «Qogam jane Dauir 2026» появились сначала на KAZAKHSTAN INSTITUTE FOR STRATEGIC STUDIES
UNDER THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF KAZAKHSTAN.

The Economic & Technology Research Institute is a leading think tank in the field of the economic and technological development of the oil and gas sector and one of the key centers for energy analysis and forecasting in the People’s Republic of China.

During the meeting, the heads of the KAZISS and ETRI delegations presented the activities of their institutes, spoke about their objectives, operating principles, values, and key areas of research, and also discussed opportunities for further interaction and expanded partnership.

The parties exchanged views on geopolitical risks and their impact on the global oil market, including in light of Kazakhstan’s interests. Particular attention was paid to the prospects for deepening Kazakhstan–China cooperation in the oil and gas sector, increasing supplies to China, constructing gas processing plants in western Kazakhstan, diversifying transport routes, as well as energy policy within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative.

In addition, the experts outlined promising areas of cooperation in the field of green energy, noting Kazakhstan’s interest in attracting green finance and implementing relevant projects, as well as in diversifying carbon export routes and developing deep processing of hydrocarbon raw materials.

Following the meeting, the parties emphasized the closeness of their positions on key issues and the existence of common ground for further deepening mutually beneficial Kazakhstan–China cooperation, including in industry, digital technologies, and scientific research. CNPC representatives also noted that they view cooperation with Kazakhstani partners as a long-term undertaking, emphasizing the importance and reliability of such ties.

Сообщение KAZISS and CNPC’s ETRI Discussed Prospects for Cooperation in the Oil, Gas, and Energy Sectors появились сначала на KAZAKHSTAN INSTITUTE FOR STRATEGIC STUDIES
UNDER THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF KAZAKHSTAN.

During the meeting, the parties discussed current issues related to ensuring and protecting children’s rights, developing the education system, as well as improving approaches to monitoring and assessing the situation of children in Kazakhstan in the context of the value framework of the new Constitution. Particular attention was paid to analytical support for public policy in the interests of children and to the possibilities for expert cooperation in this area.

KAZISS noted that cooperation with international organizations, including UNICEF, contributes to the development of practical approaches and strengthens the expert base on issues of social policy and sustainable development.

The meeting provided a platform for a substantive exchange of views and discussion of prospects for further cooperation in the field of protecting children’s rights and supporting families with children.

Сообщение Head of UNICEF Representative Office in Kazakhstan Visited KazISS появились сначала на KAZAKHSTAN INSTITUTE FOR STRATEGIC STUDIES
UNDER THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF KAZAKHSTAN.

State Counselor Erlan Karin presented the awards, congratulated the recipients, and mentioned their significant contribution to the scientific and analytical support of the country’s strategic development, noting that the adoption of the new Constitution by citizens in the referendum confirmed a high level of societal consolidation around the President’s reform agenda.

The awarding of KazISS employees serves as evidence of the Institute’s important role in the analysis and expert support of socio-political reforms.

Сообщение The leadership and staff of the KazISS have been awarded state honors on the occasion of the adoption of the new Constitution появились сначала на KAZAKHSTAN INSTITUTE FOR STRATEGIC STUDIES
UNDER THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF KAZAKHSTAN.

During the meeting, the parties discussed prospects for cooperation in the study of demographic processes and the development of human capital in Kazakhstan. Particular attention was paid to continuing joint analytical work, including the preparation of materials devoted to human capital development in the context of the implementation of the Constitution of the Republic of Kazakhstan and contemporary geopolitical challenges.

In October 2025, KAZISS and UNFPA jointly prepared the analytical report Demographic Resilience as a Strategic Driver of Development: Opportunities for Kazakhstan, which examined key demographic trends and their impact on the country’s socio-economic development. The publication was presented on the sidelines of the Astana Think Tank Forum 2025.

Following the meeting, the parties confirmed their mutual interest in further strengthening the partnership and continuing joint research.

Сообщение Meeting with UNFPA Representative Held at KAZISS появились сначала на KAZAKHSTAN INSTITUTE FOR STRATEGIC STUDIES
UNDER THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF KAZAKHSTAN.