Alumni Gather for Annual Conference to Discuss Economic Development in the Region

On 20-21 September 2024, the OSCE Academy conducted its annual Alumni Conference on the theme of “Economic Development of Central Asia” featuring three panels: Anti-Corruption, Green Economy and Digital Economy. During two days, participants discussed regional corruption issues and anti-corruption policies, sustainable economic practices, environmental stewardship, and addressed the way digitalization shapes and impacts the economy of Central Asia. A complementary part of the conference was the book launch “The EU as an Actor in Central Asia: External Impacts, Regional Responses” co-edited by Prof. Sebastian Mayer and Prof. Jakob Lempp.

The event was opened by Dr. Indira Satarkulova, Deputy Director of the OSCE Academy and Ms. Ekaterine Nakashidze, Deputy Head of the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek. Dr. Satarkulova welcomed the distinguished experts, participants, guests and partners of the conference, underlining the critical need for anticorruption measures, green economy development, and digitalization of Central Asian economies. On behalf of the OSCE Academy she then expressed words of gratitude to the Programme Office in Bishkek and the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs, for their continuous support of the Academy’s Alumni Network. Ms. Nakashidze continued the opening highlighting the role of the Academy as a platform for an academic dialogue and exchange, pointing out the importance of discussing the economic development within all three pillars of this conference. The conference was headlined by a keynote presentation by Dr. Maximilian Burger-Scheidlin, Senior Director, International Chamber of Commerce in Austria, on “The Commercial Approach to Anti-Corruption” Sub-Heading: “Increase Your Income, Reduce Risks – by Avoiding Corruption.” Dr. Burger-Scheidlin talked about the practical implications of anti-corruption measures, based on his experience in 85 countries. 

The first panel of the conference on Anti-Corruption, moderated by Dr. Burger-Scheidlin, started with the presentation by Mr. Kodir Kuliev (alumnus of 2014), Adjunct Professor of Global Studies, Business, and Philosophy at Webster University in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, who spoke on “Anti-Corruption Initiatives and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Uzbekistan”. Following Mr. Kuliev’s presentation, Mr. Rasheed Qutbzadah (alumnus of 2017), joined online from Afghanistan to discuss “The Inevitable Link Between Corruption and Capitalism”. The final speaker of the first panel, Mrs. Nuripa Mukanova, the Secretary General of the Anti-Corruption Business Council under the President of the Kyrgyz Republic, covered “Kyrgyzstan’s Anti-Corruption Policy for 2025-2030”.

The second panel of the day on Green Economy was opened and moderated by Dr. Bedelbai Mamadiev, Head of the Research and Training Department of the OSCE Academy. Ms. Aria Rashidi (alumna of 2020), Microenterprise Business Counselor, International Rescue Committee in Afghanistan, started with a presentation on the “Impact of Climate Change on Economic Inequality”. This was followed by Mr. Akmaljon Abdullayev (alumnus of 2005), Project Analyst, UNDP, Uzbekistan, who spoke about “Balancing Growth and Sustainability: Can Central Asian Fruit Production Meet Green Economy Goals?”. The third speaker of the panel, Aliaskar Adylov (alumnus of 2018), a project coordinator and expert on Green Economy at GOPA AFC GmbH, presented “Energy Efficiency of Livestock Production in the Kyrgyz Republic”. The final speaker, Ms. Shoira Olimova (alumna of 2011), Commmunity Organiser, International Accountability Project (IAP) in Tajikistan joined online and delivered a final presentation of the second panel on “The Environmental Footprint of Foreign Investments & Climate Change.”

The first day of the conference was concluded with the official launch of the book “The EU as an Actor in Central Asia: External Impacts, Regional Responses” by co-editors Prof. Sebastian Mayer, DAAD Associate Professor at the OSCE Academy and Prof. Jakob Lempp, Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences in Kleve, Germany. Part of the Palgrave Studies in European Union Politics series, the collection places an emphasis on the EU itself with its decision-making, preferences, and underlying drivers for its Central Asia policy, which have thus far remained underspecified in the literature. Four chapters on democratization, water cooperation, security provision, and EU action towards Central Asia, were presented at the event.

The second day of the conference was centered on the Digital Economy, and moderated by Dr. Burulcha Sulaimanova, Senior Lecturer, OSCE Academy. Mr. Daniel Dushmanov (alumnus of 2016), Senior Community Specialist, EPAM Kazakhstan, opened the panel with an online presentation on “Empowering Developers: Key Role in Digital Transformation”. The second speaker, Ms. Gulzhan Begeyeva (alumna of 2017), Research Assistant Funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation, Kazakhstan, presented on “Social Justice Going Viral: Charity and Digital Activism in Kazakhstan.” Tinatin Osmonova (alumna of 2020), International Expert, OSCE Mission to Montenegro explored to topic of “Defining and Advancing the Digital Economy in Central Asia: The Case of Kyrgyzstan.” Mr. Medet Suleimen (alumnus of 2013), Programme Officer, Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung Kazakhstan discussed “The Attempt to ‘Green’ Nuclear Energy in Kazakhstan”. The final presentation was delivered by Dr. Rashid Gabdulhakov (alumnus of 2013), Assistant Professor, University of Groningen in the Netherlands, on “Understanding Media Landscapes and Practices Beyond Big Cities in Central Asia”. At the end of each session participants could engage with the speakers in an open discussion shedding light on further insights and perspectives on the panel topics.

The conference was closed by Dr. Indira Satarkulova, as she emphasized the significance of the topics addressed in the Central Asian context and thanked moderators, speakers, participants and partners for their contribution to the discussion. The overview of the conference will be published in the Academy’s Academy Paper publication series by the end of the year.

The Conference is generously funded by the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs – the OSCE Academy’s distinguished donor, partner and member of the Academy’s Board of Trustees.

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