Taking Stock Invitation: One Year After Uzbekistan Pledges Reforms

The Central Asia-Caucasus Institute, alongside of the U.S. Agency for Global Media, and IREX are hosting a panel discussion to mark the first anniversary of the new era of cooperation between Washington and Tashkent. One year after Uzbek President Mirziyoyev’s historic May 2018 visit to the United States, a panel of experts will discuss what changes are underway in the strategic Central Asia nation. Topics of discussion include U.S.-Uzbek cooperation, new international activities, and reformation in the economic and media sectors of the country.

Featuring: 

His Excellency Javlon Vakhabov, Uzbek Ambassador to the United States

Lisa Curtis, Deputy Assistant to the President and National Security Council Senior Director for South and Central Asia

Dr. Frederick Starr, Chairman, Central Asia -Caucasus Institute and Silk Road Studies Program

Navbahor Imamova, Journalist, VOA Uzbek Service

Moderator: Alicia Phillips Mandaville IREX Vice President for Global Programs

Where: IREX, Suite 600, 1275 K St. NW, Washington, DC

When: Thursday, May 30, 2019 from 2:00 - 3:30 pm, 

RSVP: Click HERE to register

 CACI Forum with the Rumsfeld Fellows - Spring 2019

The Central Asia-Caucasus Institute presents this Spring's team of Rumsfeld Fellows, emerging leaders from the Caucasus, Afghanistan, Mongolia, and Central Asia - which the alumni themselves have dubbed the 'CAMCA Region.' 

The region is facing critical questions: are the CAMCA countries globally competitive for investors? What is being done to remove the impediments? 

At this Forum Rumsfeld Fellows will introduce an idea of the Investment Harbor, as a mechanism to facilitate investments, trade and greater regional and global connectivity of the CAMCA countries. 

Spring 2019 Rumsfeld Fellows include:

Mr. Assadullah Zamir (Afghanistan), CEO and Partner of Sabzwar Agribusiness and Food Services and Founder of Abreshum Venture. 

Mr. Fuad Karimov (Azerbaijan), Director of Professional Support Services LLC. 

Mr. Giorgi Arveladze (Georgia), 36, is the Founder and Managing Partner of Ubique, a Tbilisi based real estate development firm. 

Ms. Mariam Lashkhi (Georgia), Deputy Chairperson at Georgia’s Innovation and Technology Agency (GITA). 

Dr. Almazbek Beishenaliev (Kyrgyzstan), Director of the Regional Institute of Central Asia in Bishkek. 

Ms. Jenny Jenish kyzy (Kyrgyzstan), Chairperson of the Association of Social Entrepreneurs (ASE) of Kyrgyzstan and Founder “New Schools Foundation” and “J-Invest Consulting” firm.

Mr. Olzhas Khudaibergenov (Kazakhstan), Founder and Senior Partner at the Center for Strategic Initiatives LLP (CSI). 

Mr. Nurtas Janibekov (Kazakhstan), Adviser to the Governor of the Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC). 

Ms. Chimguundari Navaan-Yunden (Mongolia), Ambassador-at- Large and Director of the Investment Research Center at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) of Mongolia. 

Ms. Nargis Esufbekova (Tajikistan), Head of Secretariat of the Development Coordination Council (DCC) in Tajikistan 

Ms. Maral Ilyasova (Turkmenistan), appraisement expert at the Appraisal Company “Turkmen Expert” ES. 

Mr. Bokhodir Ayupov (Uzbekistan), Consultant at the Technopark of Software Development and IT. 

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

Where: Middle East Institute: 1319 18th Street NW, 20036

When: Thursday, May 2, 2019 from 12:30 - 2:00 pm, 

RSVP: Click HERE to register

Azerbaijan in a Changing Caucasus: Developments in Foreign and Domestic Policies

Azerbaijan has recently embarked on a series of reforms to modernize the country’s economic and social policies. In foreign relations, Azerbaijan is in the final stages of negotiating an enhanced cooperation agreement with the European Union, and continues to work toward the realization of the Southern Gas Corridor. Increased diplomatic activity has intensified expectations surrounding the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh, while U.S. National Security Advisor John Bolton's visit to the South Caucasus in October also suggests growing U.S. engagement. The American Foreign Policy Council's Central Asia-Caucasus Institute and the Center for Strategic & International Studies held a discussion with three senior Azerbaijani parliamentarians, who provided an update on developments in Azerbaijan and the region.

Speakers: 

Mr. Samad Seyidov – Chairman of the Committee on Foreign and Interparliamentary Relations of Parliament, Head of Azerbaijan-USA working group on interparliamentary relations 
Ms. Sahiba Gafarova – Member of the Committee on Foreign and Interparliamentary Relations of Parliament
Mr. Asim Mollazada – Member of the Committee on Foreign and Interparliamentary Relations of Parliament

Introduction: Svante Cornell, Director, Central Asia-Caucasus Institute

Moderator: Jeff Mankoff, Deputy Director, Russia & Eurasia Program, CSIS

Where: Center for Strategic and Intenational Studies: 1616 Rhode Island Avenue NW, Concourse Level, Washington, DC 20036

When: Friday, March 29, 2019 from 12:00 - 1:30 pm