The fall of the USSR enabled peoples of Central Asia and the Caucasus (Greater Central Asia) to claim full independence and sovereignty. While bringing many obvious benefits, the strengthening of new sovereignties has also brought self-isolation and rivalry among peoples who had actively interacted for hundreds of years before the Russian conquest. The resulting isolationism has created needless tensions in the region, deepened poverty, and fostered  religious radicalization. Meanwhile, geographic proximity, interdependent infrastructure, and the presence of Russian media have maintained ties with Russia and rendered them appealing to many.

Is it time to  shift from the radical independence to intra-regional dialogue and economic integration within the region? And for the region as a whole to capitalize on its strategic location, cultural diversity, and human capital? 

Twelve participants of the Spring 2016 Rumsfeld Fellowship Program, representing nine countries of Central Asia and the Caucasus, will share their answers to these questions. 

A video recording of the event may now be viewed on the SAIS Events YouTube channel.

Speakers:
  Mr. Ozodkhon Davlatshoev (Tajikistan)

  Mr. Nemuun Gal (Mongolia)

  Mr. Emil Gasimli (Azerbaijan)

  Mr. Sulkhan Glonti (Georgia)

  Ms. Raykhona Khashimova (Uzbekistan)

  Ms. Eliza Nishanbaeva (Kyrgyzstan)

  Mr. Mahmood Noorzai (Afghanistan)

  Mr. Rakhim Oshakbayev (Kazakhstan)

  Ms. Lilit Petrosyan (Armenia)

  Mr. Ruslan Ramanov (Uzbekistan)

  Mr. Narantuguldur Saijrakh (Mongolia)

  Mr. Barry Salaam (Afghanistan)

Moderator:  S. Frederick Starr, Chairman, Central Asia-Caucasus Institute

Rome Building Auditorium
SAIS - Johns Hopkins University
1619 Massachusetts Ave.,  NW
Washington, DC  20036

 

Click here to RSVP and register

The Central Asia, Caspian, South Caucasus and Black Sea regions together form a strategically important transit corridor between China and Europe. Connecting trade, people and economies, the modern trans-Caspian trade and transit routes from China to Europe, envisages an extensive and integrated network of infrastructure, special economic zones, harmonized customs, and cross-border procedures along this route.

Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan and Turkey combined represent a market of more than 110 million consumers. These countries are able to offer customized and integrated solutions to companies with highly sophisticated supply chains.

Video of the forum can now be viewed on the SAIS Events YouTube channel.

On Thursday, April 28, 2016, the Embassies of Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, and Turkey to the U.S.A., are organizing the “Trans-Caspian East-West Trade and Transit Corridor” Forum in Washington, D.C., in partnership with the World Bank Group, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Business Council for International Understanding, Boeing Company, U.S.-Azerbaijan Chamber of Commerce, AmCham Azerbaijan, America-Georgia Business Council, U.S.-Kazakhstan Business Association, AmCham Kazakhstan, AmCham Georgia, and Turkish-American Business Association/AmCham Turkey. 

This special all-day forum, hosted by the Central Asia and Caucasus Institute at SAIS-Johns Hopkins University, will introduce projects and investments along the modern Silk Road to U.S. business leaders across a variety of multinational industries. 

Speakers at this special forum include:  Ambassador Elin Suleymanov, Azerbaijan; Ambassador Archil Gegeshidze, Georgia; Ambassador Kairat Umarov, Kazakhstan; Ambassador Serdar Kılıç, Turkey; Mr. Gary Litman, VP, US Chamber of Commerce;  S. Frederick Starr, Chairman, Central Asia-Caucasus Institute, JHU-SAIS; Dr. Taleh Ziyadov, Director-General, Baku International Sea and Trade Port;  Mr. Rauf Valiyev, Chairman, Azerbaijan Caspian Shipping; Mr. Mamuka Bakhtadze, CEO, Georgian Railways; Ms. Ketevan Salukvadze, Head of Transport Policy Dept., Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development; Mr. Askar Mamin, President, Kazakhstan Railways; Mr. Sanzhar Yelubayev, President of KTZ Express; Mr. Osman Nuri Beyhan, Deputy Director General for EU and International Affairs, Ministry of Customs and Trade; and others TBA.

 

Schedule, Thursday, 28 April 2016:

     8:00  -  9:00 a.m.   Continental breakfast

     9:00 - 10:00 a.m.   Welcome by the Central Asia-Caucasus Institute, the US
                                   Dept of State, Ambassadors of Azerbaijan, Georgia,
                                   Kazakhstan, and Turkey, and representatives from the US
                                   Chamber of Commerce

    10:00 - 11:00 a.m.  Panel #1: "Trans-South Caucasus Customs and Trade
                                   Facilitation: What Needs to Be Done?"
                                   Moderator:  S. Frederick Starr

     11:00 - 11:25 a.m.  Q & A

     11:25 - 11:40 a.m.  Break (refreshments)

     11:40 - 12:40 p.m.  Panel #2:  "'From Sea to Sea' Integrated Regional Transit
                                    and Logistics Infrastructure."
                                    Moderator: TBD

     12:40  -  1:00 p.m.  Q & A

       1:00  -  2:00 p.m.  Lunch served in the auditorium

       2:00 -  3:00 p.m.   Panel #3 "Commercial and Investment Opportunities:
                                    Financing, Logistics, and Supply Chain."  
                                    Moderator: Jorg Frieden, Executive Director, The World
                                    Bank Group

       3:00 -  3:25 p.m.   Q & A

        3:25 -  4:00 p.m.  Closing remarks

 

 

Kenney Auditorium, Nitze Building
SAIS - Johns Hopkins University
1740 Massachusetts Ave., NW
Washington, DC  20036

 

Click here to RSVP and register

New universities are rising cross Central Asia, Afghanistan, and the Caucasus, bringing innovations and jump-starting stalled processes of reform in higher education. This forum will focus on a number of these new initiatives, with authoritative presenters on several countries.  

 

A recorded version of this event is available on the SAIS Events channel on YouTube:

 

Speakers:
  

S. Frederick Starr, Chairman, Central Asia-Caucasus Institute, JHU-SAIS

     Shigeo Katsu, President, Nazarbayev University, Astana, Kazakhstan

     Leslie Schweitzer, First Vice Chairman, Board of Trustees, American University of Afghanistan

    Ellen Hurwitz, President Emerita, American University Central Asia (The Kyrgyz Republic)

 Moderator:  Mamuka Tsereteli, Research Director, Central Asia-Caucasus Institute

 

Location: 

The Freedom Support Act of 1992 (Freedom for Russia and Emerging Eurasian Democracies and Open Markets Support Act) made the "promotion of democracy" a main strategic priority of the US in the former republics of the USSR. What specific achievements can the US claim in this sphere in the Caucasus and Central Asia, and what have been its failures? To what extent does the experience of the last quarter century call for revisions in America's tactics in this area? And to what extent, if any, does experience call into question the strategy itself?

Rather than duel over the number of successes and failures, our speakers will focus on steps that might improve the effectiveness of actions to advance this strategic goal or, if necessary, more fundamental changes in the strategy itself.

The recorded version of this seminar is now available to view on the SAIS events Youtube channel.

Speakers:
  Laura Jewett, Regional Director, Eurasia Programs, National Democratic Institute (NDI)
  Stephen Nix, Regional Director, Eurasia, International Republican Institute (IRI)
  David Kramer, Sr. Director for Human Rights and Democracy, McCain Institute for International Leadership

 Moderator:  S. Frederick Starr, Chairman, Central Asia-Caucasus Institute

Location: