On June 29, as part of a working visit to the United States, Director of the Kazakhstan Institute for Strategic Studies (KazISS) under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Zhandos Shaimardanov held a series of expert meetings in Washington, D.C., with representatives of leading U.S. think tanks.
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.
