A New EU Strategy for Central Asia: Pointing a Path for the U.S.?

In June 2019, the EU released a new strategy for Central Asia. This strategy was formulated in response to rapid changes in the region, ranging from China's Belt and Road Initiative, new reform initiatives across the region, and a new momentum for regional cooperation. What does this strategy mean for the EU's relations with Central Asia? And does this mean that the EU now leads the developed and democratic world in engaging with Central Asia, and is pointing a path forward for the US?

This Forum meeting marked the release of the Central Asia-Caucasus Institute's new Silk Road Paper on the subject, A Steady Hand: The EU’s 2019 Strategy and Policy Toward Central Asia.

Speaker: Svante Cornell, Director, Central Asia-Caucasus Institute at AFPC

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

Where: Middle East Institute: 1763 N Street Northwest, Washington, DC 20036

When: Wednesday, December 5, 2019 from 2:30 - 4:00 pm

Scroll down to watch the event.

The Caucasus and Central Asia: IMF Economic Outlook and Policy Challenges

The Central Asia-Caucasus Institute held a forum on IMF engagemtn in the CCA region. The forum discussed trade tensions, oil price volatility, and geopolitical tensions are weighing on the world economy. The speaker addressed what the region’s policy makers should do to make their economies resilient and promote higher and more inclusive growth. 

Speakers: 

Juha Kähkönen, Deputy Director, Middle East and Central Asia Department, International Monetary Fund

Moderator:  Svante Cornell, Director, Central Asia-Caucasus Institute at the American Foreign Policy Council

Where: Middle East Institute: 1763 N Street Northwest, Washington, DC 20036

When: Wednesday, November 21, 2019 from 3:00 - 4:30 pm, 

CACI and CSIS Russia and Eurasia Program cordially invites you to

Tokayev’s Kazakhstan: A New Reform Agenda

This year’s transition of power in Kazakhstan marks a turning point for Kazakhstan and the Central Asian region as a whole. Following the resignation of Kazakhstan’s First President, Nursultan Nazarbayev, long-time Senate Speaker, former Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Kassymjomart Tokayev won a June 2019 snap presidential election. Nazarbayev maintains a central role including chairing the National Security Council, and recently gained additional influence over personnel appointments. While Tokayev has pledged continuity with Nazarbayev’s legacy, his September address to the nation also indicated a new urge for political reform, including what Tokayev labeled the “Listening State.” 

The CSIS and Central Asia-Caucasus Institute invite you to a discussion with leading Kazakh analysts, who will provide their perspectives on Kazakhstan’s direction under President Tokayev.

Friday, November 1, 2019

1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.

2nd Floor Conference Room
Center for Strategic & International Studies
1616 Rhode Island Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20036

 INTRA-REGIONAL TRADE IN CAMCA REGION: Current Trends and Growing Opportunities

The Central Asia-Caucasus Institute at the American Foreign Policy Council presented this Fall's team of Rumsfeld Fellows, emerging leaders from the Caucasus, Afghanistan, Mongolia, and Central Asia  - which the alumni themselves call the 'CAMCA Region.' 

Fall 2019 Rumsfeld Fellows include:

Ms. Ellaha Shaheen (Afghanistan) Market Access Negotiator at the Permanent Mission of Afghanistan to the World Trade Organization

Mr. Aram Pinajyan (Armenia) Deputy CEO and Chief Risk Officer at HSBC Bank Armenia CJSC

Ms. Rasmina Gurbatova (Azerbaijan) Founder, Owner and Designer of Resm Jewelry 

Ms. Nona Mamulashvili (Georgia) Founder and Chairwoman of the Caucasus Economic Policy Institute

Ms. Rusudan Mamatsashvili (Georgia) First Deputy Head at the National Tourism Administration of Georgia

Ms. Dinara Chaizhunussova (Kazakhstan) Chairman of the Board of Trustees of “Bolashak” Corporate Foundation

Mr. Ruslan Assaubayev (Kazkahstan) Managing Partner and Regional Development Director at Korkem Telecom

Mr. Mirbek Asangariev (Kyrgyzstan) Entrepreneur and Founder and CEO of eco-friendly business Hotel “Bridges” in Bishkek

Mr. Batzaya Batsaikhan (Mongolia) Co-founder and CEO of Unread Media

Ms. Enkhzul Dambajantsan (Mongolia) Chief Operating Officer of the Mongolian Stock Exchange

Mr. Shuhrat Mirzoev (Tajikistan) Managing Partner and Founder of IRSHAD Consulting LLC

Mr. Sardor Mukhamedaliev (Uzbekistan) Chief Business Development Officer of the Swiss-based leading online shopping marketplace ZoomMall

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

Where: Middle East Institute: 1763 N Street NW, 20036

When: Thursday, October 31, 2018 from 2:00 - 4:00 pm, 

Scroll down for a few video clips of the presentation.

 Economic Outlook for the Caucasus and Central Asia

Growth remains broadly stable in the Caucasus and Central Asia (CCA), but it is still well below the long-term potential for the region — and too low if the region is to raise living standards to the level of other emerging economies in Europe and Asia. The challenge is to leverage good domestic policies, increased economic diversification, and stronger international cooperation to generate higher and more inclusive growth that lifts up the prospects of all CCA citizens. This task is complicated by global uncertainties, weaknesses in the banking sectors, and elevated public debt. This event coincides with the launch of the IMF's Departmental Paper: Promoting Inclusive Growth in the Caucasus and Central Asia presented by one of the authors, Mercedes Vera-Martin.

Speakers: 

Juha Kähkönen, Deputy Director, Middle East and Central Asia Department, IMF

Mercedes Vera Martin, Deputy Division Chief, Middle East and Central Asia Department, IMF

Moderator: S. Frederick Starr,Chairman Central Asia-Caucasus Institute at the American Foreign Policy Council

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

When: Wednesday, June 4, 2019 from 4:00 - 5:30 pm, 

The PowerPoint Presentations from both speakers are available below.

Promoting_Inclusive_Growth_in_the_CCA.pdf

Economic_Outlook_for_the_CCA_Presentation.pdf