The event brought together representatives of government agencies, leading analytical centers, the academic community, higher education institutions, public organizations and the expert community.

Opening the expert platform, Zhandos Shaimardanov, Director of the Kazakhstan Institute for Strategic Studies under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, noted that the establishment of the Kurultai marks the transition to a new model of legislative power based on the principles of openness, professionalism and broad public participation. According to him, the first elections to the Kurultai will constitute a practical stage in implementing the constitutional reform and ensure the full launch of the renewed system of representative government. This will make it possible to transition to a new model of interaction between the state and society, in which strong political institutions, expert support and broad citizen participation will play a key role.

The first session focused on the constitutional transformation of the Kurultai, the development of its legislative powers, improvement of legislative drafting mechanisms and enhancement of expert and analytical support for legislative activities.

Daniel Vaisov, Vice Minister of Justice of the Republic of Kazakhstan, presented the main areas of the constitutional transformation of legislative power, elaborating on the powers of the Kurultai and its place in the public administration system.

According to the Vice Minister, the elections will be held under the updated legislation: all 145 members of the Kurultai will be elected through party lists in a single nationwide constituency. This approach strengthens the role of political parties, shifting competition toward programs, ideas and teams that bear collective responsibility for the implementation of public policy.

Aigul Sadvakasova, Director of the Institute of Philosophy, Political Science and Religious Studies, noted that the Kurultai could become a platform for aligning party values with national interests. According to her, the modern development of the state requires continuous interaction among the state, political parties, the expert community, civil society and the regions.

The expert emphasized that elections are a practical mechanism for implementing the constitutional principle that the people are the sole source of state power. Therefore, a high level of citizen participation in voting directly affects the public legitimacy of the new representative body.

Urazgali Selteyev, Director of the Institute of Eurasian Integration, presented the results of a sociological study of electoral attitudes among Kazakhstanis. According to the survey, 72.1% of citizens stated that they were ready to participate in the upcoming elections of members of the Kurultai.

The expert noted that such a high figure demonstrates considerable public interest in the new model of legislative power and makes it possible to predict a higher turnout than in previous parliamentary elections. According to him, high electoral participation will be an important factor in ensuring the public legitimacy of the future Kurultai and confirms citizens’ willingness to participate in the further development of the country’s political system.

During the discussion, experts noted that sociological data demonstrate how the current activities of political parties influence public sentiment. For example, surveys conducted by the Kazakhstan Institute for Strategic Studies under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Institute of Eurasian Integration show that the Ak Zhol and Respublica parties are competing for the same right-wing electorate and currently have equal chances.

At the same time, the ratings of the Nationwide Social Democratic Party and the People’s Party of Kazakhstan, which are seeking to represent the left wing, are approximately equal, at 3.6% and 3.5%, respectively. The experts concluded that this may be partly due to the substantial overlap in their social agendas, while the differences between them are not yet always apparent to a broad range of voters.

Sholpan Saimova, Head of the Center for Public Legislation and Public Administration at the Institute of Parliamentarism, emphasized the importance of scientific and analytical support for the legislative process.

Assem Bolatzhan, Head of Women in Tech Kazakhstan, devoted her presentation to gender representation in the Kurultai. According to the expert, the new model of legislative power and the renewal of the party system create additional opportunities to form a professional talent pool. At the same time, political parties must already begin creating equal opportunities for women’s professional growth and participation in party activities, maslikhats, public councils and expert platforms. The representation of women in positions where the legislative agenda is shaped will be one of the indicators of the maturity of Kazakhstan’s new political system.

During the second session, participants in the expert platform discussed international experience in parliamentary engagement with society, mechanisms for public participation in the activities of the Kurultai, the development of digital services and new institutional formats for continuous dialogue between the state and citizens. The session was moderated by Aidar Amrebayev, Head of the Center for Comparative Political Studies at the Institute of Philosophy, Political Science and Religious Studies.

Zhenisbek Tolen, Head of the Center for Education Sciences and Social Development at the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Kazakhstan, presented an overview of international practices of parliamentary engagement with society. Drawing on the examples of Switzerland, Finland, the United Kingdom and South Korea, he demonstrated that trust in legislative institutions is directly linked to citizens’ opportunities to participate in discussions of government decisions.

Azamat Baigaliyev, Deputy Chairman of the Management Board of the Kazakhstan Institute of Public Development, presented the results of a study on the formation of party lists for the Kurultai elections. He noted the importance of assessing not only candidates’ media visibility but also their competence and regional representation.

The expert noted that the parties had been given almost five months to prepare for the election campaign, allowing them to update their programs, conduct internal candidate selection and form teams in line with the new requirements of the political system. In his opinion, the current campaign demonstrates a high level of political competition and indicates the further development of Kazakhstan’s party system.

Alua Ibrayeva, Professor at Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, emphasized the need to institutionalize legal mechanisms for public participation in the activities of the Kurultai.

According to the expert, the modern Kurultai should become a permanent platform for interaction between the state and society, where citizens can not only express their proposals but also understand how those proposals are taken into account in decision-making. The broader the opportunities for public participation, the greater citizens’ trust in representative institutions and the quality of adopted laws.

Kaiyrzhan Abdykalykov, Chairman of the Civil Alliance of Almaty, noted that sustainable public dialogue is impossible without regular consultations with the population and the active involvement of non-governmental organizations, young people, the academic community and representatives of the regions.

He emphasized that continuous public feedback, transparency in discussing legislative initiatives and broad citizen participation in decision-making are important prerequisites for strengthening public trust and further developing democratic institutions.

Aigerim Zhunusova, Senior Lecturer at Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, presented the concept of a digital Kurultai and the implementation of an e-Parliament model. She proposed creating a unified digital system for supporting draft legislation, ensuring transparency at every stage of the legislative process, developing digital citizen participation and using artificial intelligence technologies to analyze legislative initiatives and public proposals.

Summing up the expert platform, the participants noted that the establishment of the Kurultai marks the transition to the practical implementation of the constitutional reform and opens a new stage in the development of representative government in Kazakhstan. According to the experts, the upcoming elections will be an important step in the country’s consistent political modernization and the further strengthening of the “Strong President – Influential Kurultai – Accountable Government” model.

The experts emphasized that the new system, based on competition among party programs, transparency of the legislative process, broad citizen participation, professional expert support and modern digital technologies, will contribute to strengthening public trust in state institutions. Active citizen participation in voting is of particular importance, since high turnout ensures the public legitimacy of the new representative body and reflects society’s willingness to participate in the country’s further development.

Сообщение Role of the Kurultai in Shaping a New Architecture of Legislative Power Discussed in Almaty появились сначала на KAZAKHSTAN INSTITUTE FOR STRATEGIC STUDIES
UNDER THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF KAZAKHSTAN.

Held under the theme “A World Without Rules: The Power Game?”, the forum brought together leading Russian and international experts from 20 countries specializing in international security, global politics and economics, as well as representatives of civil society organizations and the diplomatic corps. Dauren Aben, Deputy Director of the Kazakhstan Institute for Strategic Studies (KazISS) under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, participated in the forum as a speaker.

The Primakov Readings programme focused on key challenges facing global politics and the world economy. Discussions addressed the global implications of regional conflicts, the domestic dimension of U.S. foreign policy, the evolving conflict in the Middle East, emerging scenarios for the future world order, barriers and risks to global trade and investment, international competition in artificial intelligence, and a new phase of military-technological rivalry.

Mr. Aben delivered his remarks during the strategic session “Eurasian Security 2035”, dedicated to Russia’s Chairmanship of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO).

In his presentation, the Deputy Director of the Kazakhstan Institute for Strategic Studies noted that the contemporary international system is undergoing profound transformation, marked by shifts in the global balance of power, the growing influence of middle powers, and the increasing importance of regional dynamics. Against this backdrop, defining the contours of the emerging world order and adapting regional security mechanisms have become issues of critical importance.

He emphasized that Kazakhstan’s approach to security is grounded in the principles of good-neighborliness, the interdependence of national and regional security, and the prioritization of long-term cooperation over confrontation.

According to Mr. Aben, ensuring security in Eurasia under current conditions is beyond the capacity of any single state or international institution. He noted that Kazakhstan views its bilateral cooperation with Russia, together with its participation in the United Nations (UN), the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA), the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), and other multilateral mechanisms as complementary elements of a unified regional security architecture.

He further stressed that the future Eurasian security system should be built upon open and inclusive cooperation based on a balance of interests, mutual respect, and the joint search for solutions to common challenges.

The Deputy Director of the Kazakhstan Institute for Strategic Studies also highlighted the growing role of Central Asia in shaping the future regional security architecture. He noted that the region is increasingly asserting itself as an independent participant in international affairs and as an important platform for dialogue and cooperation.

According to Mr. Aben, the long-term stability of Eurasia will depend on the ability of states to balance inevitable competition with the development of effective mechanisms for cooperation, while preventing the emergence of new dividing lines and adhering to the principle of indivisible security, whereby the security of one state should not be ensured at the expense of the security of another.

Photos provided by IMEMO RAS.

Сообщение KazISS Deputy Director Participated in the Primakov Readings появились сначала на KAZAKHSTAN INSTITUTE FOR STRATEGIC STUDIES
UNDER THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF KAZAKHSTAN.

The event opened with welcoming remarks by Roman Vassilenko, Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the Kingdom of Belgium, who highlighted the historic significance of the new Constitution’s entry into force, describing it as the beginning of a new stage in the country’s political modernization. He also emphasized the symbolic timing of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s official visit to Brussels shortly before this milestone, underscoring the link between Kazakhstan’s domestic reforms and the development of its strategic partnership with the European Union.

Zhandos Shaimardanov presented an expert overview of Kazakhstan’s new constitutional model.

In his remarks, he stressed that the entry into force of the new Constitution marks a fundamentally new stage in Kazakhstan’s political and legal development. According to Mr. Shaimardanov, the renewed Basic Law is the result of broad public dialogue and establishes a new architecture of state governance based on modern constitutional values, with priority given to human rights, freedoms, and dignity.

The Director of KazISS noted that the constitutional reforms provide a solid institutional foundation for the country’s continued modernization, strengthening the rule of law, enhancing the state’s accountability to its citizens, and ensuring the sustainability of ongoing reforms.

Particular attention during his presentation was devoted to the practical implementation of the constitutional reforms, further improvement of national legislation, and the development of a new model of national progress based on human capital, knowledge, innovation, and digital transformation.

During the discussion, participants exchanged views on the implementation of constitutional reforms, the prospects for Kazakhstan’s political modernization, and the further development of cooperation between Kazakhstan and the European Union.

Eduards Stiprais, the European Union Special Representative for Central Asia, emphasized the importance of the consistent implementation of Kazakhstan’s institutional reforms. Dietmar Krissler, Head of the Central Asia Division at the European External Action Service, reaffirmed the European side’s support for Kazakhstan’s political transformation agenda, as outlined during the official visit of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to Brussels.

At the conclusion of the event, participants noted that the «Shanyraq Dialogue» continues to serve as an effective platform for open expert dialogue between Kazakhstan and its European partners on political reforms, domestic development, and international cooperation.

Сообщение KazISS Director Presented Expert Perspective on Kazakhstan’s New Constitution in Brussels появились сначала на KAZAKHSTAN INSTITUTE FOR STRATEGIC STUDIES
UNDER THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF KAZAKHSTAN.

Aigul Zabirova,

Chief Research Fellow  at the Kazakhstan Institute

for Strategic Studies under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan

Evening. The television is on. Ministers, deputies, economists, athletes and bloggers appear in the news. Then come the advertisements. Mom, who is a scientist? The mother fell silent for a second. Should she show the child a portrait from a school textbook? But the person in that photograph lived a hundred years ago, and he was not from Kazakhstan. Should she name a physicist or biologist known around the world? But the child was not asking about the history of science. He was asking about a person who lives today. What is his name? What does he do? Why is he almost never talked about? And suddenly it turns out that answering is not so simple.

You can ask the same question not to a child, but to adults. Their answers would be no less strange. A teacher would name a classic from the school curriculum. A capable student would explain what peer review is, and then fall silent when asked to name three living scientists from our own country. A neighbor would answer faster than anyone else, because he has heard that science is now receiving money, and quite a lot of it. Notice what happened. The child was asking about a person. But the adults, in giving their answers, spoke about the dead, about diploma defense procedures and about funding. There is no living scientist in any of the answers.

Science has money. It has no voice. Supporting science and hearing it are not the same thing. One can build a laboratory, open a university and award grants. All of this is necessary. But one may still never meet the people who work there. For most people, science will remain a line in the budget. After all, the child did not ask how much had been allocated to it. He asked who a scientist is.

Everyone talks about science here. Science itself almost does not speak. Reports are made about it, it is financed, it is discussed by officials and journalists. But all of these are conversations about science in someone else’s words. The scientist himself is almost unheard in this stream. And the child asked precisely about him.

Let us listen to the skeptic who says that conferences for scientists lost their meaning long ago. Why do we need expensive halls, flights and hotels when online formats exist? If the goal is to bring science closer to people, a conference looks like a questionable tool. The hall is filled with the same scientists. They speak to one another. There are almost no outsiders there.

And yet the skeptic is wrong. He judges a conference as though its task were to immediately deliver scientific knowledge to society. But a conference has another function. Any scientific idea is born in solitude. But it becomes science only after meeting its equals. When objections are raised against it, when its weak point is noticed and when it is forced to search for a more precise answer. Science, in general, develops not from agreement, but from debate. This is exactly why conferences exist. Scientific thought does not go directly from the laboratory to the public. First, it passes through its own community. Only then does it become knowledge that can be trusted.

And this is not only about us. Where do you think science is trusted the most? The answer turns out to be unexpected. According to the largest international study, the top five countries in terms of trust in science included Egypt, India, Nigeria, Kenya and Australia[i]. The authors tested the most obvious explanations, such as levels of GDP, spending on education, scientific literacy and academic freedom. None of them explained why trust in science is higher in some countries than in others. This means that it is not only about money, education or the scale of the scientific system. Trust appears where people encounter science in their own lives. Where they understand why it is needed and what it does for them.

What, then, are people lacking? Openness. The same international study showed that people rate scientists lowest precisely in terms of their willingness to explain their work and be open to society. Thus, 83% of respondents believe that scientists should talk more with society about science. What does this mean? People are waiting for science to speak to them.

The pandemic became a moment when, in many countries of the world, science found itself at the center of public attention, and trust in scientists generally increased. But our region turned out to be an exception. According to the Wellcome Global Monitor[ii], in the ‘Russia, Caucasus and Central Asia’ region, attention to science practically did not increase, while trust in scientists from one’s own country even declined. While people in other countries were watching science in action, its voice sounded much quieter here. However public space is never empty. If it is not filled by scientific knowledge, it is filled by other explanations. Sometimes accurate. Sometimes not. But almost always louder and more confident.

In my own childhood, there was an answer to the question about a scientist. A scientist was someone who had discovered something. Someone who heals, someone who counts the stars, someone who knows how the world works. Every child had this answer; it did not need to be searched for. It simply sounded all around us. Now there is no answer. Not because scientists have disappeared. They exist, they work and they make discoveries. But the place where this answer used to sound have become empty. The channel is occupied by another voice. And the child who today asks who a scientist is will grow up with the answer he receives. If the only available answer is ‘science is being given money’, he will learn that science is about money. Trust is not inherited this way.

On June 24, a new Law on Science was signed, creating new conditions for the development of Kazakhstan’s science[iii]. Science cities, modern research centers, expanded rights and social guarantees for scientists, and a closer connection between research and production are important steps for the development of the scientific system. But trust has a different nature. Trust cannot be adopted together with a law or included in a state program. It arises when society knows its scientists, hears them and clearly understands why they are needed.

Evening. The television is on again. And again, the child asks: Mom, who is a scientist? The answer appears when science has its own voice. When a teacher returns from a conference not with a certificate, but with a new idea. When a journalist speaks not about the size of a grant, but about a discovery. When a neighbor says not ‘science has been given money again’, but ‘can you imagine, our scientists have discovered…’ This is why society needs the voice of science. Because one day it becomes the answer to the simplest question a child can ask. And as long as science reaches the screen as a single figure, the mother truly has nothing to answer. Not because there are no scientists. But because they are almost unheard.

[i] Cologna et al. (2025). ‘Trust in scientists and their role in society across 68 countries.’ Nature Human Behaviour.

[ii] https://wellcome.org/reports/wellcome-global-monitor-covid-19/2020

[iii] https://www.akorda.kz/ru/glavoy-gosudarstva-podpisan-zakon-respubliki-kazahstan-po-voprosam-nauki-naukoemkih-territoriy-socialnogo-obespecheniya-obrazovaniya-zdravoohraneniya-i-voinskoy-sluzhby-245557

Сообщение Mom, Who Is a Scientist? появились сначала на KAZAKHSTAN INSTITUTE FOR STRATEGIC STUDIES
UNDER THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF KAZAKHSTAN.

The first meeting took place at the Eurasia Center of the Atlantic Council, one of the most respected U.S. think tanks specializing in international relations and security. The Eurasia Center focuses on issues related to Eastern Europe, the Caucasus, Central Asia, and other regions across Eurasia.

The expert roundtable brought together leading American specialists representing the Atlantic Council, RAND Corporation, Hudson Institute, and Caspian Policy Center, including Ambassador John Herbst, Senior Director of the Atlantic Council’s Eurasia Center; Ariel Cohen, Senior Fellow; Ambassador William Courtney; Ambassador Richard Hoagland; Ken Moriyasu; and other experts on Eurasian affairs.

During the discussion, the participants exchanged views on key issues on the international agenda. Zhandos Shaimardanov provided a detailed overview of the implementation of Kazakhstan’s constitutional reform, emphasizing its focus on strengthening democratic institutions, expanding the powers of Parliament, and reinforcing mechanisms for the protection of human rights.

The KazISS Director also noted that the ongoing reforms have had a positive impact on Kazakhstan’s international standing by strengthening the confidence of foreign partners and reaffirming the country’s commitment to the principles of openness, the rule of law, and the protection of the rights and freedoms of its citizens.

As part of the visit, the KazISS Director also met with experts from the Congressional Research Service (CRS), the independent research arm of the U.S. Congress operating under the Library of Congress. The CRS is one of the United States’ leading analytical institutions, providing Members of Congress and congressional committees with nonpartisan research and analysis on a broad range of public policy issues.

During the meeting with CRS experts, Zhandos Shaimardanov continued to outline the key directions of Kazakhstan’s constitutional reform, highlighting institutional changes aimed at strengthening the system of checks and balances and expanding opportunities for public participation in political processes. Particular attention was also given to improving human rights protection mechanisms and ensuring their alignment with international standards.

The meetings contributed to strengthening international expert dialogue, expanding partnerships with leading foreign think tanks, and enhancing the international expert community’s understanding of the reforms being implemented in Kazakhstan, their significance for the country’s development, and their role in reinforcing Kazakhstan’s position on the global stage.

Сообщение KazISS Director Discussed Kazakhstan’s New Stage of Political Development with U.S. Experts появились сначала на KAZAKHSTAN INSTITUTE FOR STRATEGIC STUDIES
UNDER THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF KAZAKHSTAN.

KPI is Thailand’s leading national center for research on democratic development, parliamentarism, political processes, and public administration. The Institute’s core activities include educational programs and executive training courses for senior government officials, as well as research, analytical, and advisory work.

During the meeting, the parties discussed opportunities for expert support in promoting mutual investments and joint business projects between Kazakhstan and Thailand. They also addressed issues that had been discussed during the talks between President Tokayev and Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sihasak Phuangketkeow.

Emphasizing Thailand’s interest in Kazakhstan as a strategically important partner, Issara Sereewatthanawut highlighted the importance of exchanging practical experience in the areas of decentralization and water resource management. The Thai side also expressed particular interest in KazISS’s engagement with the country’s regions.

Assel Nazarbetova, Head of the Almaty Representative Office of KazISS, noted that the establishment of regional representative offices has enabled the Institute to obtain reliable first-hand data and monitor the dynamics of the country’s socio-economic development at the regional level, thereby improving the quality of the Institute’s analytical work.

Following the meeting, the parties agreed to strengthen cooperation between the scientific and analytical communities of the two countries, including through the organization of joint events and comparative research projects.

Сообщение KazISS Experts Met with Representatives of Thailand появились сначала на KAZAKHSTAN INSTITUTE FOR STRATEGIC STUDIES
UNDER THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF KAZAKHSTAN.

Zhandos Shaimardanov, Director of the Kazakhstan Institute for Strategic Studies (KazISS) under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, participated online in the first session dedicated to cooperation among think tanks and institutional exchange.

In his remarks, Mr. Shaimardanov expressed confidence that dialogue, trust, and pragmatic partnership between Afghanistan and the Central Asian states should be built on the principles of stability and connectivity.

The KazISS Director placed special emphasis on cooperation in the field of science.

“It is necessary to strengthen cooperation in climate and water research through joint assessments and the exchange of scientific data. It is also important to expand academic and professional exchange programs for researchers, analysts, and public policy specialists across the region,” Zh. Shaimardanov emphasized.

KazISS expert Mukhit Assanbayev also participated in the Forum, speaking at a session devoted to regional stability, transport connectivity, and economic cooperation.

The Forum served as a platform for exchanging views on key regional issues and for further strengthening expert cooperation between the countries of Central Asia and Afghanistan.

Сообщение KazISS Director Made a Speech at the Afghanistan and Central Asia Think Tank Forum появились сначала на KAZAKHSTAN INSTITUTE FOR STRATEGIC STUDIES
UNDER THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF KAZAKHSTAN.

As the Shanghai Cooperation Organization marks its 25th anniversary in 2026, its experience deserves attention beyond the usual discussion of counter-terrorism. The SCO was founded in Shanghai in June 2001 by China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. It has since expanded into a broader Eurasian organization with 10 member states, including India, Pakistan, Iran and Belarus. Its growth has made the SCO both more diverse and more complex.

That complexity is precisely the point. The SCO’s real strength is not that its members always see the world in the same way. They do not. They differ in size, geography, political traditions, economic interests and foreign policy priorities. The organization’s importance lies in something more practical: it provides a framework in which states with different perspectives can still coordinate on problems that none of them can solve alone.

This is a useful lesson for a fragmented international environment. Too often, multilateralism is judged by whether it produces full political consensus. But in the real world, complete agreement is rare. Coordination is more attainable and often more urgent. When a drug route crosses several borders, when illegal financial flows pass through multiple jurisdictions, or when a cyberattack is launched from one country against victims in another, waiting for perfect political harmony is not a viable strategy.

The SCO began with a strong security focus, particularly with regard to terrorism, separatism and extremism. Over time, however, its agenda has widened. Countering drug trafficking, organized crime, illegal migration and cyber-related threats has become part of the broader understanding of regional security. This evolution reflects a simple reality: today’s threats are interconnected. Drug trafficking may finance extremist activity. Illegal migration can be exploited by criminal intermediaries. Cybercrime can support fraud, recruitment, propaganda and money laundering. Security is no longer a set of separate files; it is a network of overlapping risks.

In this context, the SCO’s value lies in routine. Regular meetings among officials, channels for information exchange, joint exercises, shared assessments and professional contacts may sound less dramatic than summit declarations. Yet they are the infrastructure of practical security. Trust rarely appears overnight. It is built through repetition, predictability and the knowledge that, when a problem emerges, there is someone across the border who can be contacted.

The anti-drug agenda is a good example. The SCO Anti-Drug Strategy for 2024-2029, adopted at the Astana summit in 2024, shows that the organization is trying to respond not only to traditional narcotics routes but also to new methods of distribution. The international anti-drug operation “Web” in 2025 targeted the use of internet resources and virtual payment systems in drug trafficking. This illustrates a wider trend: criminal networks are becoming digital. Law enforcement, in turn, must cooperate faster and be more coordinated and technologically capable.

The lesson is relevant not only for Eurasia. Europe, the Middle East, Southeast Asia and Africa all face their own combinations of migration pressure, border management challenges, criminal networks and digital vulnerabilities. The SCO model should not be copied mechanically by other regions. Institutions grow out of history, geography and political culture. But the SCO method — of keeping communication open, separating practical coordination from broader disagreements and focusing on shared risks even when political consensus is difficult — is worth studying.

This approach is especially important where security and humanitarian issues overlap. Migration, for example, should not be treated simply as a security threat. Many people move because of war, poverty, climate stress or the quest for safety. But criminal groups often exploit such movements, turning human vulnerability into profit. A responsible policy must therefore combine humanitarian principles with stronger coordination against smuggling networks, forged documents, illegal financing and digital recruitment. That balance cannot be achieved by one country acting alone.

At 25, the SCO’s record is not a story of perfect unity. It is a story of managed diversity. Its members do not need to agree on everything in order to work together on what threatens them all. This may be the organization’s most practical message to the wider world.

In an age of networked threats, coordination is not a technical detail. It is a strategic asset. Consensus is desirable, but coordination is indispensable.

Sanat Kushkumbayev,

chief research fellow

at the Kazakhstan Institute for Strategic Studies

Сообщение Coordination SCO’s biggest strength появились сначала на KAZAKHSTAN INSTITUTE FOR STRATEGIC STUDIES
UNDER THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF KAZAKHSTAN.

Сообщение Coordination SCO’s biggest strength появились сначала на KAZAKHSTAN INSTITUTE FOR STRATEGIC STUDIES
UNDER THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF KAZAKHSTAN.

The forum served as an important platform for advancing expert dialogue and strengthening intellectual cooperation between Kazakhstan and China. The event brought together heads and experts of leading research centers, as well as representatives of academic communities from both countries.

Delivering welcoming remarks, Director of KazISS under the President of Kazakhstan, Zhandos Shaimardanov, emphasized the importance of further developing intellectual and expert cooperation between Kazakhstani and Chinese think tanks amid rapid changes in the international environment and the deepening of the bilateral strategic partnership.

The Head of KazISS also noted that Kazakhstan is implementing a large-scale program of political and socio-economic reforms under the leadership of President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. The key objective of these reforms is to build a modern, efficient, and competitive state focused on improving citizens’ quality of life, strengthening the rule of law, and ensuring sustainable economic development.

The forum provided an opportunity for an exchange of views on a wide range of issues related to Kazakhstan–China cooperation. Participants discussed prospects for expanding trade and economic ties, attracting investment, enhancing industrial cooperation, improving transport and logistics connectivity, as well as promoting cultural and humanitarian cooperation, education, and tourism.

The Kazakh delegation included representatives of leading national analytical and research institutions. In addition to KazISS experts, the delegation comprised representatives of the Economic Research Institute, the Center for Comparative Political Studies of the Institute for Philosophy, Political Science and Religious Studies under the Science Committee of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan, as well as Astana International University and Almaty Management University.

Сообщение KazISS Director Participated in the Third Kazakhstan–China Think Tank Forum появились сначала на KAZAKHSTAN INSTITUTE FOR STRATEGIC STUDIES
UNDER THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF KAZAKHSTAN.