Virtual Launch Event
Wednesday, October 6, 2021
10:00 am – 11:00 am ET / (21:00 – 22:00 Astana)
The International Tax and Investment Center, in collaboration with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s U.S.-Kazakhstan Business Council, invite you to join a virtual panel marking the release of ITIC’s newest report: 30 Years of Bilateral Ties: The Special U.S.-Kazakhstan Relationship, authored by Dr. Ariel Cohen and Mr. James Grant of ITIC’s Energy, Growth, and Security (EGS) program.

Since the collapse of the Soviet Union thirty years ago, the nation of Kazakhstan has maintained lasting diplomatic, strategic, and trade relations with the United States. Under First President Nursultan Nazarbayev two main pillars formed the backbone of this partnership: regional security and energy commerce. 
 
Following the peaceful transition from First President Nazarbayev to President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev in 2019, security and business continue to define the bilateral relationship: the legacies of nuclear weapons proliferation and Kazakhstan’s non-proliferation efforts, the war in Afghanistan (and its aftermath), hydrocarbon trade, and economic development. But will these trends continue? What can the past 30 years teach us about what the next 30 will hold?

The expert panel will include:

  • H.E. Yerzhan Ashikbayev, Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the United States 

  • H.E. Alibek Kuantyrov, Vice-Minister of National Economy, Republic of Kazakhstan

  • Ariel Cohen, Ph.D., Senior Fellow / Director — Energy, Growth, and Security Program, International Tax and Investment Center

  • James Grant, Research Fellow / Program Manager — Energy, Growth and Security Program, International Tax and Investment Center 

  • Baur Bektemirov, Chief Economist, Astana International Financial Centre

  • Jennifer Miel, Executive Director, U.S.-Kazakhstan Business Council, U.S. Chamber of Commerce

  • Daniel Witt, President, International Tax and Investment Center

For more information, please contact James Grant.