Navigating Geopolitical Shifts:

Central Asia’s Quest for Autonomy and Sustainable Development

Photo by Phil Pasquini

Tuesday, April 29, 2025

9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (EST)

In person event

Elliott School of International Affairs,

Lindner Family Commons

1957 E St NW, Washington DC, 6th Floor

The countries of Central Asia are navigating a rapidly shifting geopolitical landscape while striving to define their own development paths and regional cooperation. Their growing desire for strategic and economic autonomy and sustainable growth increasingly faces a complex web of global, regional, and domestic pressures. This workshop brings together scholars, practitioners, and policy experts to explore the multifaceted challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for Central Asia, including balancing foreign economic relations with autonomy, the development of human capital in a digital age, the balance between economic development and environmental sustainability, and the evolving role of democratic actors and international organizations in promoting good governance.

AGENDA

9:00-9:15: Introductory remarks

Sebastien Peyrouse (George Washington University)

9:15-10:00: Keynote Speaker:

Ambassador William Courtney

Central Asia and the U.S. at 35

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PANEL I: Stuck Between Great Powers? Central Asia Looking For Economic Autonomy And Alternatives (10:00-11:15 a. m.)

Moderator: Sebastien Peyrouse (George Washington University)

• JeongWon Bourdais-Park (University of Nottingham Ningbo, China): The dynamics of multilateralism and regional cooperation in Central Asia

• Danial Saari (Almaty Management University): Foundations for Strengthening Regional Cooperation in Central Asia: Security, Politics and Economics

• Eric Rudenshiold (Caspian Policy Center): From Dependence to Diversification: Central Asia’s Pursuit of Economic Autonomy in a Multi-Polar World?

• Timur Dadabaev (University of Tsukuba, Japan): A Constructivist Framework for Understanding the Emerging Central Asian Regional Security Complex: Identity, Interests, and Security Dynamics

• Eleonora Tafuro Ambrosetti (Institute for International Political Studies): A charm offensive? Turkey’s Central Asia policy after 2022

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PANEL II : Developing Human Capital (11:45 a. m. - 1:00 p. m.)

Moderator: Eric Rudenshiold (Caspian Policy Center)

• Elira Turdubaeva (University of Miami): Digital Silk Roads: Cybersecurity Challenges and Opportunities in Central Asia

• Jasmine dall’Agnola (University of Zurich): Technologies & Central Asian Women’s Empowerment

• Allan Mustard (Retired Ambassador): Update on Education in Turkmenistan

• Alexander Wolters (Friedrich Ebert Foundation in Kazakhstan): An Opportunity not to be missed: The OSCE Academy in Bishkek and Higher Education in Central Asia

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1:00 - 2:00 p.m.: Lunch Break

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PANEL III : Balancing Development And Environment In Central Asia (2:00 - 3:15 p.m.)

Moderator: Allan Mustard (Retired Ambassador)

• Togzhan Kassenova (SUNY-Albany/ Carnegie Endowment for International Peace): Kazakhstan’s Nuclear Power Plans: Considerations and Challenges 

• Kate Watters (Crude Accountability): Extractive Industries and Sustainability in Central Asia: Looking to the Future

•  Vadim Ni: Environmental challenges of the Caspian Sea

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PANEL IV: Opportunities And Obstacles For Democratic Countries And International Organizations In Promoting Good Governance And Human Rights In Central Asia? (3:45 - 5:00 p.m.)

Moderator: Kate Watters (Crude Accountability)

• Gavin Helf (Georgetown University) Western, Islamic, and Traditional Values; Technocratic, Democratic, and Populist Governance: What do “Values” and “Good Governance” Mean after Globalization?

• Abakhon Sultonnazarov (Institute for War and Peace Reporting) Advancing Good Governance and Free Media in Central Asia: Opportunities and Challenges for Democratic Actor



• Nate Schenkkan (Freedom House): The Future of International Organizations in Central Asia

• Sebastien Peyrouse (George Washington University): Authoritarian Advocacy: The Use of GONGOs by Central Asian States at the OSCE

This event is on the record and open to the media.

The Central Asia Program

Institute for European, Russian and Eurasian Studies (IERES)

Elliott School of International Affairs, George Washington University

1957 E Street, NW | Suite 412 | Washington, DC | 20052

(202) 994-9509 | infocap@gwu.edu | centralasiaprogram.org

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