KazISS held a meeting on March 18 to discuss Kazakhstan’s future, featuring Yerkin Tukumov’s monograph about navigating opportunities amidst global challenges. The discussions emphasized modernization, national identity, and the importance of strategic planning. Experts highlighted the need to balance tradition and modernization, while addressing economic and political challenges facing the country.
On March 18, the Kazakhstan Institute for Strategic Studies (KazISS) held an expert meeting in Astana to discuss Kazakhstan’s future challenges and opportunities. Keynote speaker Yerkin Tukumov, the KazISS Director, presented his monograph, “The Future of Kazakhstan: A Narrow Corridor of Opportunities,” which was published in Kazakh, Russian, and English. This event facilitated an open dialogue among leading scientists, analysts, public figures, and media representatives regarding pressing issues affecting the nation’s development.
Tukumov’s monograph addresses significant factors influencing Kazakhstan’s trajectory, including climate change, technology advancements, demographic changes, and pandemic threats. He emphasized the necessity for strategic solutions to adapt and capitalize on emerging opportunities, highlighting how these elements shape the country’s prospects. Tukumov remarked on the importance of self-reflection concerning Kazakhstan’s national identity and direction, linking this to the country’s economic modernization efforts.
He articulated that while modernization has often been associated with Westernization, the path is not straightforward. “The success of any nation is rooted in its unique history, traditions, and societal development,” Tukumov stated. His analysis addresses economic challenges, such as overcoming the middle-income trap and diversifying the economy, while emphasizing the importance of long-term strategic planning spanning multiple decades.
During the discussion, Tukumov further elaborated on the notion of a narrow corridor symbolizing the need to balance tradition and modernization. He presented Kazakhstan’s geographical position as an advantage rather than a limitation, expressing optimism about the country’s access to major global powers and the world’s oceans. Tukumov warned against remaining in a perpetual state of transition, stressing the importance of realizing the nation’s potential promptly.
Talgat Kaliyev, a director at the Institute of Applied Ethnopolitical Studies, discussed the challenge of predicting future technological changes and associated risks. He noted, “It is extremely complicated to predict both tomorrow’s risks and opportunities,” highlighting the need for a nuanced approach in analyzing Kazakhstan’s current situation. Kaliyev underscored the concept of a narrow corridor, which reflects not only global competition but also the pressure of quick decision-making in today’s world.
Aigul Zabirova, a chief researcher at KazISS, pointed to global stress factors such as climate change and pandemics as critical analyses within the book. She emphasized three necessary conditions for progress: an honest assessment of the past, the importance of private property, and a strong state framework. “An overly strong state leads to autocracy, while a weakened one risks anarchy,” Zabirova noted, emphasizing the need for a balance between state power and civil society. Furthermore, she highlighted the book’s engaging narrative and depth, bringing personal reflections into a rigorous academic context.
The expert meeting held by KazISS underscored the importance of strategic foresight for Kazakhstan’s future amidst global challenges. Yerkin Tukumov’s monograph stresses the need for balance between tradition and modernization, advocating for a unique Kazakh identity in the face of external influences. It is evident that with effective planning, Kazakhstan can harness its geographical advantages to navigate the narrow corridor of opportunities, enabling sustainable growth and development. The discussions from this meeting emphasize the necessity of a cohesive national strategy that reflects the realities of a rapidly changing world.
Original Source: astanatimes.com
