WNAM REPORT: This initiative was made possible following the signing of a Memorandum of Cooperation between the Kazakhstan Institute for Strategic Studies under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan (KazISS) and FPCI during the first Astana Think Tank Forum 2024 on October 16-17, 2024, in Astana.
The conference was attended by leaders and representatives of KazISS and FPCI, leading Indonesian think tanks, and virtually joined by the Ambassador of Indonesia to Kazakhstan, Fadjroel Rachman, and the Director of the Institute of Asian Studies of Kazakhstan, Sultan Akimbekov.
In his welcoming remarks, the Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Indonesia, Serzhan Abdykarimov, congratulated participants on the establishment and inaugural session of the Expert Council. He emphasized the importance of such dialogue in discussing ongoing developments in the two countries and regions, formulating proposals for the further development of bilateral and multilateral relations, and strengthening mutual understanding on strategic international issues.KazISS Director Yerkin Tukumov, in his video message, outlined Kazakhstan’s foreign policy and economic priorities, emphasizing the need for closer cooperation between middle powers at the expert level, sharing academic resources, and conducting joint research on issues of mutual interest.
Head of the Asian Studies Department at KazISS, Aidar Kurmashev, and Senior Expert Aliya Musabekova made presentations on Kazakhstan’s role as a middle power, its interactions with major powers, and integration processes in Central Asia.
Director of the Institute of Asian Studies, Sultan Akimbekov, spoke virtually about the contemporary challenges and threats in the Eurasian space to Indonesian analysts.
Founder and Chairman of FPCI, Dino Patti Djalal, along with representatives of FPCI and other Indonesian think tanks, shared their perspectives on the role, influence, and activities of Indonesia as a middle power in Southeast Asia, ASEAN, and the global community.
The session concluded with a Q&A segment where participants offered recommendations and suggestions to ensure the Expert Council achieves effective, pragmatic, and practical outcomes.
As part of the roundtable, the Kazakh Embassy presented a special edition of the Salam Kazakhstan magazine in Indonesian and English, showcased tourism videos, and hosted a photo exhibition featuring Kazakhstan’s breathtaking natural landscapes.
