Programme Third Russia-Kazakhstan Expert Forum
of the Valdai Discussion Club and
Kazakhstan Council on International Relations
May 14–15, 2019, Nur-Sultan
May 14, Tuesday
10:00 – 10:30 Forum opening
- Yerlan Karin, Advisor to the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Chairman of the Kazakhstan Council on International Relations (KASMO)
- Andrey Sushentsov, Programme director of the Valdai Discussion Club, Director of the Institute of International Studies, MGIMO University
10:30 – 11:00 Session 1. In the Age of Global Geopolitical Transformation: What the Region Is Waiting for
Central Eurasia is a very dynamic region, and at the same time subject to external and internal risks and challenges. Now the international situation is characterised by instability and a dynamic change in the political and economic landscape. The growing conflicts between key geopolitical players like the United States, Russia and China directly and indirectly affect other international processes. Under these conditions, Central Eurasia can simultaneously be thought of as a region of cooperation and a region of competition. How is it possible to develop an optimal model for interstate cooperation? What priorities will compel the countries of Central Eurasia to work together? All these questions will be discussed at the session, titled “In the age of global geopolitical transformation: What the region is waiting for”.
Moderator: Iskander Akylbayev, Executive Director of the Kazakhstan Council on International Relations
Speakers:
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Ivan Safranchuk, Associate Professor at MGIMO University
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Andrey Sushentsov, Programme director of the Valdai Discussion Club, Director of the Institute of International Studies, MGIMO University
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Andrey Chebotarev, Director, Alternativa Center for Current Research
11:00 – 11:40 Q & A Session
12:00 – 12:40 Session 2. Economic Cooperation in Eurasia: Trends and Forecasts
As a region, Central Eurasia is now facing the challenges presented by internal transformation and problems with external offers of investment. This is largely due to the uncertainty in the economic policies of the major world powers, financial centres, as well as the volatility of oil products prices, which will significantly affect international capital flows and the funding conditions for many states. The countries of the region have chosen to move further along the economic development path and determine the priorities of national economic policies. The task of the session is to coordinate the short-term and long-term priorities of Kazakhstan and Russia in a regional context.
Moderator: Ivan Safranchuk, Associate Professor at MGIMO University
Speakers:
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Marat Shibutov, leading expert at the Center for Military Strategic Studies (TsVSI)
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Olzhas Hudaybergenov, Senior Partner, Centre for Strategic Initiatives (CSI)
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Stanislav Tkachenko, Professor at the St. Petersburg State University Department of International Relations
12:40 – 13:10 Q & A Session
15:05 – 15:55 Session 3. Kazakhstan-Russia Media Dialogue
The mass media play a significant role in building political and economic relations between states. Their participation is especially important in the context of integration processes expansion, which are occurring against the background of large-scale global changes, trade wars, partial de-globalisation and increased international competition. In addition, the media are of great importance in the process of national identity formation and sovereignty. The purpose of the session is to discuss the role the media play in modern society and in bilateral relations between Russia and Kazakhstan.
Moderator: Bauyrzhan Tolegenov, managing editor, Sayasat.org
Speakers:
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Ilya Doronov, Managing Director, RBC TV
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Kanat Sakhariyanov, CEO, Atameken Business media holding
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Alexander Lukyanov, special correspondent and author of documentaries, Russia 24 TV Channel
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Daniyar Kosnazarov, Editor-in-Chief of The Steppe magazine
15:55 – 16:25 Q & A Session
16:40 – 17:30 Session 4. The Rise of China: Prospects and Challenges
The rise of China and its new foreign economic initiatives present a challenge for both Russia and Kazakhstan. How will both countries respond to them? To what extent are Kazakhstan and Russia ready to welcome the Chinese initiatives? All these questions will be the subject of discussion at this session.
Moderator: Iskander Akylbayev, Executive Director of the Kazakhstan Council on International Relations
Speakers:
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Adil Kaukenov, Director of the “China Centre” of Chinese Studies
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Yana Leksyutina, Professor, Russian Academy of Sciences; Associate Professor, St. Petersburg State University.
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Ruslan Izimov, Head of the Eurasian Studies Programme of the Institute of World Economy and Politics under the Foundation of the First President of the Republic of Kazakhstan
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Oleg Barabanov, Programme director of the Valdai Discussion Club, scientific director of the MGIMO European Institute, professor at the Russian Academy of Sciences
17:30 – 18:00 Q & A Session
May 15, Wednesday
10:00 – 10:40 Session 5. A New Social Contract: Values, Identity and the Transformation of Social Consciousness
The last decades have been marked by certain quantitative and qualitative changes in demography and the filling of an ideological vacuum. The change of generations, both in politics and in society, creates new trends and demands, forming a new ideological picture. These processes are largely accelerated with the help of the Internet, social networks, and the influence of the media, which is poised to witness the growth of the young population. Kazakhstan and Russia are faced in many ways with similar challenges: the new economy and the social structure of society, as well as the transformation of identity and public consciousness — these issues need careful consideration, and will be examined by qualified experts from both countries.
Moderator: Berik Abdygaliuly, Head of the Sacred Kazakhstan Science and Research Centre
Speakers:
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Gulmira Ileuova, director of the “Strategia” Centre for Social and Political Research
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Ivan Timofeev, Programme director of the Valdai Discussion Club, RIAC programme director
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Botagoz Rakisheva, Director of the Public Opinion Research Institute
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Leonid Bliakher, Head of the Department of Philosophy at Pacific National University
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Aydos Sarym, political analyst
10:40 – 11:20 Q & A Session
11:20 – 11:30 Summing up the conference
