Chronicle of the Main Events of the Institute in 2017
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Chronicle of the Main Events of the Institute in 2017 CHRONICLE OF THE MAIN EVENTS OF THE INSTITUTE IN 2017 On January 6, 2017, the Kazakhstan Institute for Strategic Studies under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Parasat Institute for System Research and the Kazakhstan Political Science Association held a round table "Central Asia – 2017: New Trends and Scenarios" in Almaty. During the round table, director of the KazISS Erlan Karin presented an Overview of the 10 Most Important Events in Central Asia in 2017. In his speech, E. Karin noted that this review is a traditional analytical survey prepared by KazISS experts. According to expert estimates, a number of important events that will affect the prospects for economic and geopolitical development of Central Asian countries are expected in 2017. At the same time, 2017 will be a turning point in the demographic development of the region: it is anticipated that the population of Central Asia will exceed 70 million people. In addition, experts expect important internal political processes among external players. In particular, these are the preparation for the presidential elections in Russia, the XIX Congress of the Communist Party in China, the renewal of the US Government, the modernization of state governance in Turkey, as well as the presidential elections in Iran. According to analysts, all these processes will directly or indirectly affect the countries of Central Asia. Daniyar Kosnazarov, an analyst of the Quality Assurance and Strategic Analysis Department of Narkhoz University also attended the round table and spoke about the changing geopolitical paradigm through the prism of the parallel between the Middle East and Central Asia. Darmen Sadvakassov, a senior partner of the Center for Strategic Initiatives, shared his expert opinion on new challenges and opportunities for the economy of the region. Sociologist Serik Beissembayev presented his vision for new trends in the social development of Central Asian countries. On January 9, 2017, the Kazakhstan Institute for Strategic Studies under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan presented the Review of the 10 Most Important Events in Central Asia in 2017, which are of key importance for the political and economic development, stability and security of the Central Asian countries. According to KazISS experts, the global commodity markets are expected to recover in 2017, which will lead to an improvement in the market conditions for the economies of the countries of the Chronicle of the Main Events of the Institute in 2017 region. Besides, China's economic influence in Central Asia will have a tendency to strengthen. The focus of attention was on the internal political processes in the countries of the region. In particular, the review includes the forecast of Uzbekistan's development within the first year of the new Government, as well as the expectations of the presidential elections in Turkmenistan and Kyrgyzstan. Special attention was paid to the terrorist risks in Central Asia in the context of events in the Middle East and the persistence of instability in Afghanistan. Under the conditions of military and political instability, Afghanistan will remain in the focus of international attention of key external players, thereby updating the regional security agenda. An equally important point was the forecast of internal political processes among external players, in particular, Russia, China, the United States, Turkey, and Iran, and their impact on relations with the countries of the region. In addition, experts believe this year to face the demographic growth in the countries of Central Asia, as well as the development of information and communication technologies among the population. This year in Kazakhstan will be marked by key international events such as membership in the UN Security Council, the World University Games - 2017, EXPO - 2017, the SCO Summit and the 25th anniversary of the CICMA Initiative. According to analysts, 2017 will be an important stage in strengthening the international subjectivity of not only Kazakhstan but also the entire region. On January 15, 2017, a Memorandum of Understanding and Cooperation between the Kazakhstan Institute for Strategic Studies under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Emirates Center for Strategic Studies and Research (ECSSR) was signed in Abu Dhabi within the official visit of President of the Republic of Kazakhstan N. A. Nazarbayev to the United Arab Emirates. The document is aimed at establishing long-term relations between KazISS and ECSSR and provides for the exchange of expert opinions on topical issues of international relations, the implementation of joint analytical projects, expert meetings and other scientific events. The Memorandum was signed by Director of KazISS Erlan Karin on behalf of Kazakhstan and by General Director of ECSSR Jamal Sanad Al-Suwaidi on behalf of the United Arab Emirates. During the event, the head of ECSSR Jamal Sanad Al-Suwaidi mentioned: "Our Institute is very important to develop working contacts with "think tanks" of Kazakhstan and to enhance partnership relations of Kazakhstan and the UAE. I would like to emphasize that among the Central Asian research institutes, the KazISS is the first with which we have signed such an important document." In turn, director of the KazISS Erlan Karin said that "given the present international situation, think tanks need to build and strengthen relations in order to more thoroughly and objectively analyze the current agenda." The ECSSR was established on March 14, 1994 by the decision of President of the United Arab Emirates, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Currently, it is an authoritative scientific centre for the study and analysis of social, economic and political issues, primarily for the development of the United Arab Emirates and other Gulf countries. Chronicle of the Main Events of the Institute in 2017 On January 15, 2017, Director of the Kazakhstan Institute for Strategic Studies under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Erlan Karin met with Cemil Kilinc, the Director for Research and Analysis of the International Centre Dedicated to Countering Violent Extremism "Hedayah", in Abu Dhabi. The Hedayah Center was established in December 2012 and is an independent international organization aimed at countering violent extremism in all its forms and manifestations. During the meeting, the experts discussed the prospects of bilateral cooperation, as well as topical issues of international and regional security. Discussing the issues of countering international terrorism, Cemil Kilink stressed that Kazakhstan makes a significant contribution to ensuring international security, and the initiatives of the Kazakh leader are relevant and timely. Cemil Kilink also supported the previously announced initiative of Ambassador of Kazakhstan to the UAE Kairat Lama Sharif to open a representative office of Hedayah in Kazakhstan. In turn, Erlan Karin noted that the opening of a regional representative office will contribute to closer cooperation with Kazakhstan's "think tanks". Following the meeting, the parties agreed to continue the expert dialogue and expressed interest in implementing joint research projects. On January 20, 2017, the Kazakhstan Institute for Strategic Studies under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan hosted an online conference "Prospects for the Syrian Negotiations in Astana". The discussion was attended by Deputy Director of KazISS Sanat Kushkumbayev, Director of the Institute of Diplomacy of the Academy of Public Administration under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Anuar Ayazbekov, President of the Center for Analysis and Forecasting "Open World" Olzhas Suleimenov, Director of the Analytical Centre of the MGIMO Institute for International Studies (Moscow) Andrey Kazantsev, and expert of the Jamestown Foundation (Washington) Jacob Zenn. During the dialogue, the experts discussed the importance and role of the inter-Syrian negotiations and the prospects for resolving the Syrian crisis. According to analysts, the negotiations in Astana should be considered as one of the important stages in the development of the dialogue between the parties. The participation of key non-regional actors will give additional weight to the Astana negotiating platform. Experts believe that Kazakhstan, once again providing a platform for the settlement of the conflict, confirms its international image of a state striving to achieve global peace and harmony. The inter-Syrian negotiations will be the first event with the participation of Kazakhstan as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council. Chronicle of the Main Events of the Institute in 2017 On January 26, 2017, the Kazakhstan Institute for Strategic Studies under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan held an expert meeting with famous Kazakh researcher and Japanese scholar Batyrkhan Kurmanseit within the framework of the 25th anniversary of the establishment of Kazakh-Japanese relations. In his speech, the expert described the history of Kazakh-Japanese relations, telling about the landmark events of December 1991, when Japan represented by the Minister of Foreign Affairs recognized the independence of the Republic of Kazakhstan. B. Kurmanseit also focused on such key issues of bilateral cooperation as official development assistance, cooperation in the energy sector, and Japanese investments in the Kazakhstan economy. Besides, the participants of