KazISS hosted a meeting to discuss Kazakhstan’s future, highlighting key issues and opportunities presented in Yerkin Tukumov’s monograph. The dialogue focused on the balance of tradition and modernization, economic challenges, long-term planning, and technological advancements in the context of global competition. Key researchers contributed insights on the necessity of strategic progress and socio-economic dynamics.
On March 18, the Kazakhstan Institute for Strategic Studies (KazISS) convened experts to address Kazakhstan’s future, focusing on challenges and opportunities. The discussion included the presentation of KazISS Director Yerkin Tukumov’s monograph, “The Future of Kazakhstan: A Narrow Corridor of Opportunities,” available in Kazakh, Russian, and English, which tackles issues like climate change, technology, demographics, and pandemics, emphasizing strategic responses to harness emerging opportunities.
Tukumov stressed the importance of a candid assessment of Kazakhstan’s past, advocating for discussions about national identity and direction to work alongside economic modernization. He posited that modernization shouldn’t merely imitate Western examples, recognizing the necessity to understand Kazakhstan’s unique historical and cultural context.
The monograph addresses economic hurdles, such as overcoming the middle-income trap and diversifying away from raw materials dependency. Tukumov emphasizes the importance of strategic long-term planning focused on education, technology, inclusivity, and equal opportunities to navigate the country’s development effectively.
The concept of the narrow corridor symbolizes finding equilibrium between tradition and modernization. Tukumov advocates viewing Kazakhstan’s geographical position as an advantage, enabling access to significant global powers—China and Russia—while also emphasizing the urgency for concrete action to avoid ongoing potential unfulfilled.
Talgat Kaliyev, from the Institute of Applied Ethnopolitical Studies, highlighted the rapid pace of technological advancements and the challenges of foreseeing future risks. He noted the importance of a holistic vision in constructing future scenarios, amid intense global competition and a constricted decision-making framework, where timeliness becomes critical.
Aigul Zabirova of KazISS pointed out the monograph’s examination of global stress factors such as climate issues and economic inequality, tying these elements to decreased investment linked to corruption and judicial problems. She emphasized essential preconditions for Kazakhstan’s advancement as an honest appraisal of history, the role of private property, and the need for a balanced state-society dynamic to avoid extremes of autocracy and anarchy.
The discussions at KazISS highlighted crucial elements affecting Kazakhstan’s future, urging thorough analysis and strategic planning. Tukumov’s monograph emphasizes the need for modernization that respects local identity while navigating economic diversification, technological advances, and global competition. The emphasis on a balanced governance approach presents a promising path for harnessing Kazakhstan’s potential.
Original Source: astanatimes.com
