INTERNATIONAL EXPERTS DISCUSSED THE STATE AND PROSPECTS OF INTEGRATION IN CENTRAL ASIA

On March 4-6, 2024, the international scientific and practical conference “Central Asia in new geopolitical and geo-economic realities through the eyes of experts” was held at the Faculty of International Relations.

  The conference was organized by the research center “Questioning regional affairs” together with the “International Center for the Development of Science” of the Kazakh National University. al-Farabi.

The purpose of this conference was to strengthen the multilateral expert dialogue on regional cooperation in Central Asia in the formation of a sustainable system of interaction and development. The main directions of the conference covered such aspects as the foreign policy of the countries of Central Asia, economic aspects of integration in Central Asia, the transport and logistics system of the region, coordination of water resources and climate change, as well as problems of ensuring energy security.

Leila Delovarova, Dean of the Faculty of International Relations of Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, opening the conference, welcomed the participants and noted the role of Central Asian studies in the modern system of international relations in conditions of constant turbulence and challenges. The role of the centers of the Kazakh National University named after. al-Farabi - Scientific Center for the Study of Regional Relations and the International Center for the Development of Science to develop research in the field of integration and support the younger generation of international specialists.

Key speakers of the plenary session: Oleg Essenov, Deputy Director of the International Center for the Development of Science, al-Farabi Kazakh National University.

Assel Nazarbetova – Head of the Representative Office of the Kazakhstan Institute of Strategic Studies under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan in Almaty

Almasha Arenova, Head of the Department of Political Cooperation of the Representative Office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan in Almaty,

Bobokhonzoda Ravshan Arabshah, Consul General of the Republic of Tajikistan in Almaty,

Cholpon Isanaeva, Vice-Consul of the Republic of Kyrgyzstan in Almaty,

Zhamoliddinkhuzha Abdukramov, First Secretary of the Consulate General of the Republic of Uzbekistan in Almaty.

The first session, “Foreign Policy of Central Asian Countries in New Geopolitical Conditions,” covered theoretical and conceptual issues of cooperation through the prism of analyzing foreign policy approaches.

 During this session the following speakers made presentations:

• Sherzod Arapov, Dean of the Faculty of International Relations, University of World Economy and Diplomacy, Tashkent, Uzbekistan

• Farkhod Tolipov, expert, international political scientist, Director of the NGO “Caravan of Knowledge”, Tashkent, Uzbekistan

• Rizoen Sherali, independent researcher, candidate of political sciences, Dushanbe, Tajikistan

• Nargiza Muratalieva, expert, international specialist, PhD, associate professor at the American University of Central Asia, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan

• Zhan Kosherbaev, candidate of historical sciences, associate professor of the faculty of international relations of Al-Farabi Kazakh National University

• Erkin Baidarov, leading researcher at the Institute of Oriental Studies named after. R.B. Suleimenov of the Science Committee of the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan (speech with extended comments).

The session “Current problems of Central Asia” covered a wide range of issues, including various aspects of economic, energy, logistics cooperation, as well as issues of water and climate diplomacy. During this session the speakers were:

• Saltanat Omurova - Doctor of Economics, Professor of the Higher School of Economics, Kyrgyz National University. J. Balasagyn, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan

• Nuriddin Sultanmuratov, Deputy Dean for Research and Innovation Activities and International Cooperation, Faculty of International Relations, of Al-Farabi Kazakh National University.

• Dauren Aben, Head of the International Security Department of the KazISS under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan

• Adilbek Ermekbaev, acting Associate Professor of the Department of International Relations and World Economy of KazNU, Director of the “Questioning regional affairs”

• Alisher Saidmukhtorov, Director of the Research Institute of Political Processes, Diplomacy and Globalization Problems, Academy of Public Administration of the Republic of Tajikistan

• Gulnara Baykushikova, PhD in international relations, head of the department of international relations and world economy of Al-Farabi Kazakh National University.

Representatives of the Institute of Oriental Studies named after. R.B. Suleimenov of the Science Committee of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Abylaikhan University, Abay University and KIMEP University.

During the conference, a special session was held for young scientists with the participation of experts from Central Asia. During the session the issues of cooperation and the role of the younger generation in the process of rapprochement and integration were discussed. The moderator of the session was Bulat Auelbaev, Chief Expert of the Department of Asian Studies of the KazISS under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

As a result of the conference, it was decided to work on publications, and projects with the active involvement of young scientists from all Central Asian countries.

Within the framework of the conference, the connection of the conference with the UN Sustainable Development Goal - SDG17 (partnership for sustainable development goals) to achieve common goals was emphasized.