On June 8 and 9, the Astana International Forum under the theme “Tackling Challenges Through Dialogue: Towards Cooperation, Development and Progress” will be held in the capital of Kazakhstan. This event, chaired by the President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, is designed to unite the efforts of the world community to find answers to unprecedented challenges associated with the increase in geopolitical tensions and the radical transformation of traditional models of interstate cooperation.
The Kazakhstan Institute for Strategic Studies under the President is a partner of the panel discussion – “Mapping Central Asian Connectivity” at the Astana International Forum (AIF).
In the present-day developments, the cooperation of the Central Asian countries consists of common economic development, regional stability, energy and trade integration, as well as cultural exchange. Investments in joint infrastructure facilities that strengthen regional subjectivity are a priority.
At the same time, there are still a number of unresolved aspects in the region in the areas of water security, trade, and border issues. Also, demographic shifts, climate change, disruption of supply chains, accompanied by growing geopolitical uncertainty, encourage the Central Asian States to map broader mechanisms of cooperation in the region.
Nowadays the key task for the Central Asian region leaders is to find a new strategic balance between reforms, cooperation and security. The five states are trying to balance external relations in various forms, ranging from C5+1 formats to regional platforms such as the SCO, the EAEU and the CSTO, the One Belt – One Road initiative. Taking into account all these trends, the Central Asian countries are entering a new stage of their political, economic and social development.
At the panel session “Mapping Central Asian Connectivity”, experts will discuss the future prospects of the region. Among the speakers are Director of the KazISS Yerkin Tukumov; Deputy Executive Secretary of the UN Economic Commission Dmitry Maryasin; Head of the Eurasia Division in the OECD William Thompson; representative of the International Finance Corporation (IFC) in Tajikistan Farukh Sultonov; Coordinator of the Implementation Department of the Agency for Strategic Reforms under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Aziza Umarova. The session will be moderated by Renaud Girard, a journalist of “La Figaro”.
In general, the AIF is aimed at uniting the efforts of the world community to find answers to unprecedented challenges associated with the increase in geopolitical tensions and the radical transformation of traditional models of interstate cooperation.
More than 1,000 foreign guests will participate in the forum. The program of panel discussions includes over 40 sessions, informal meetings and other extracurricular activities.
As a result of the Astana International Forum, specific recommendations can be obtained on various aspects of international cooperation, including economic development, regional stability, water security, trade barriers and etc. Recommendations can relate to political, economic, social and cultural aspects and can be used in the further work of organizations and states to develop strategies and action programs.
