Kazakhstan and World Order
Astana, 26 August 2015
Co-organized by the George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies (GCMC) and
the Institute of World Economics and Politics (IWEP)
Under the Foundation of the First President of the Republic of Kazakhstan
The rising tide of the “Asian Century” is exerting a profound influence in shaping new commercial and
political connections throughout the Eurasian and Asian region. Incipient infrastructure projects point
toward significant improvement in transportation, communication and energy connections throughout
Asia and Eurasia. China’s role stands out as particularly important. Kazakh Prime Minister Karim
Masimov in March 2015 signed $23 billion worth of trade and infrastructure agreements during his
meetings with Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang in Beijing. Chinese President Xi Jinping extended the
scope of economic cooperation yet further during his visit with Kazakh counterpart President Nursultan
Nazarbayev in Astana in May 2015. Chinese leaders share with Kazakh leaders a vision of a closely
linked Eurasia and Asia, connected by a modern infrastructure supporting commercial vitality. China’s
proposal —“One Belt, One Road”—is a plan to finance and politically endorse economic development
along the ancient “silk road” trading routes between China and Europe. The great bulk of Beijing’s
recent overseas lending pledges have been financed through the China Development Bank and the
China Ex-Im Bank. Looking ahead, the establishment of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB)
has signaled yet a new phase of dynamic transformation throughout Asia, a transformation which draws
Kazakhstan and the Central Asian countries toward an eastern-oriented foreign policy posture.
The international security implications of these changes in Eurasia are significant. South and Central
Asian countries continue to face many daunting security challenges—extremist insurgency, ISIL
proselytizing for international violence, illicit trafficking, illegal migration, dispersion of weapons, the
nexus of criminal networks and terrorist cults—and at the same time they face more traditional security
challenges such as threats to territorial integrity and national sovereignty. International security
cooperation in meeting all these challenges will be profoundly influenced by the policies and practices
adopted for economic cooperation.
Topics of discussion and order of operations: In order to address the international security implication
of these changes, scholars and analysts from the Institute for World Economics and Politics will meet
with counterparts from the Marshall Center and from the Near East—South Asia Center (NESA) in
Astana, Kazakhstan to discuss Kazakhstan’s role in world order. Presentation and discussion sessions are
devoted to four categories:
 Multi-vector policies in a Globalized World
 International Financial Institutions and World Order
 Violent Extremism and International Cooperation
 Technological Change and International Cooperation
All the discussions are designed to follow the non-attribution rule. Participants will be encouraged to
contribute their personal-professional views on the subjects. Individuals speak for themselves and not
on behalf of any agency or state.
Wednesday 26 August
Event
Time
09.00-09.30 Opening Session:
Mr. Sagyndyk Nurahanov, Executive Director, the Foundation of the First
President of Kazakhstan – the Leader of the Nation
Dr. Sven Gareis, Deputy Dean, Marshall Center
09.30-10.45
Session I: Multi-vector policies in a Globalized World
Brief presentations by panel members and discussion
Dr. Sultan Akimbekov, “Kazakhstan and Multi-Vectoralism”
Dr. Sven Gareis, “China Today and Tomorrow”
Discussion
Location
IWEP, Astana
10-15 minutes each
10-15 minutes each
10.45-11.00 Coffee/Tea Break
11.00-12.15 Session II: Multilateral Organizations and World Order
Brief presentations by panel members and discussion
Dr. Askar Nursha
Dr. Luba von Hauff, “Central Asian Security, Multilateral Organizations, and
World Order: Towards an ‘Asian Century?”
Ms. Brianne Todd
Discussion
10-15 minutes each
12.30-14.00 Lunch
14.00-15.15 Session III: Violent Extremism and International Cooperation
Brief presentations by panel members and discussion
CPT Vitaly Gelfgat, “ISIS, Syria, Iraq and the World”
Dr. Evgenii Pastukhov
Dr. Alma Sultangaliyeva
Discussion
15.15-15.30 Coffee/Tea Break
15.30-16.45 Session IV: Technological Change and International Cooperation
Brief presentations by panel members and discussion
Dr. Zhumabek Sarabekov
Dr. Gregory Gleason, “Cyber Shockwave of Insecurity”
16.45-17.15 Closing Session: Kazakhstan and World Order
Dr. Sultan Akimbekov, IWEP Director
Dr. Sven Gareis, Deputy Dean, Marshall Center
10-15 minutes each
List of Participants
Foundation of the First President of Kazakhstan - Leader of the Nation
1. Sagyndyk Nurahanov - Executive Director
Institute of World Economics and Politics under the Foundation of the First President - Leader of the
Nation (IWEP)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Sultan Akimbekov Alma Sultangalieva Askar Nursha Evgenii Pastukhov Zumabek Sarabekov Andrey Katasonov -
Director
Advisor to the Director
Coordinator, Foreign Policy Research
Foreign Policy Expert
Foreign Policy Expert
Manager
Experts sponsored by the George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies (GCMC)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Dr. Sven Gareis, Deputy Dean, College of International Security Studies (CISS), GCMC
Dr. Gregory Gleason, Director, Central Asia Programs, CISS, GCMC
Dr. Luba von Hauff, Associate Fellow, German Council on Foreign Relations
Dr. Yang Cheng, Deputy Director, Center for Russian Studies, East China Normal University
Ms. Brianne Todd, Associate Professor, Near East South Asia Center for Strategic Studies
CPT Vitaly Gelfgat, Presidential Translator and Eurasian Foreign Area Officer, Pentagon
GCMC Supporting Staff
1. Mr. Darren Adams, Central Asia Program Planner, GCMC
2. Mr. John D’Amato, Event Coordinator, GCMC
US Embassy Astana
1. Maj Scott Christensen, Acting Defense Attaché
2. Bradford Chase Hopewell – Political Officer
Library of the First President of the Republic of Kazakhstan
1.
2.
3.
4.
Timur Shaymergenov, Deputy Director, Academic and Analytical Work
Marian Abisheva, Head of Division of National and International Projects
Yerzhan Saltybaev, Head of the Division of Geopolitics and Regional Studies
Mikhail Mironenko, Head of the Division for Strategic Studies and Forecasting
JSC “Institute for military strategic research ”
1. Kozy-Korpesh Karbuzov - President
Academy of Public Administration under the President of Kazakhstan
1. Auken Vilmur - Director of the National School of Public Policy
Nazarbayev University
1. Richard Castleberry –Director of Business Development and Recruitment