Astana Think Tank Forum to Focus on Middle Powers in October
The Kazakhstan Institute for Strategic Studies is gearing up to host the inaugural Astana Think Tank Forum on Oct. 16-17 as part of the Astana International Forum (AIF) to delve into the foundational pillars of the global international system through the lens of middle powers.
Themed “Middle Powers in a Changing Global Order: Enhancing Security, Stability, and Sustainable Development,” the forum will convene directors of top foreign policy think tanks, researchers, advisors, and diplomats to deliberate on the strategic and diplomatic roles middle powers play in today’s ever-evolving global landscape.
The forum’s agenda will encompass five key themes: foreign policy, economic influence, security dynamics, multilateralism and global institutions, and emerging challenges. These topics will be explored through panel sessions, roundtables, armchair discussions, and high-level plenary addresses, stimulating conversations around the role of middle powers.
In a statement released on Sept. 4 by the AIF press service, it was noted, “Kazakhstan’s status as a middle power further underscores the importance of this forum, with participating officials and think tank leaders well-equipped to lead comprehensive and impactful dialogues on their experiences as middle powers, as well as the future challenges and opportunities they encounter.”
Established as an offshoot of the AIF, the Astana Think Tank Forum is poised to provide a valuable platform for elevating discussions on middle powers to the global stage.
The Astana International Forum, held on June 8-9, 2023, convened experts, business leaders, and governments to explore practical solutions to global foreign policy, climate, and economic challenges. The forum sent a resounding message in support of diplomacy, multilateralism, and commitment to dialogue in an increasingly polarized world, drawing over 5,000 participants from more than 50 countries.
Although President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev had to cancel the Astana International Forum slated for June 13-14 this year due to unprecedented flooding in Kazakhstan, he confirmed that the event will return in 2025.
