The 2nd Edition of the Astana Think Tank Forum
to Unite Global Decisionmakers Around New Strategies for Cross-Border Collaboration
The Astana Think Tank Forum 2025, unfolding on 15–16 October 2025 in the Kazakh capital, will unite policymakers, opinion leaders and heads of major think tanks from Kazakhstan and abroad to identify new strategies for global collaboration that can restore trust in the international system and mitigate growing polarization.
Now in its second year, the Forum is held under the aegis of the Astana International Forum (AIF) and organized by the Kazakhstan Institute for Strategic Studies under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan (KazISS). Last year’s inaugural event brought together more than 45 experts from 22 countries, establishing the event as a respected and inclusive platform for expert-led debates on today’s most pressing international issues.
The 2025 programme will offer nine sessions that explore actionable steps for improving multilateral cooperation amid great-power competition. The topics discussed will include the transformation of the security architecture and the future of nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation; Central Asia’s positioning within a shifting geopolitical landscape; effective investment strategies in an era of fragmented global markets; the development of trade and transport corridors across Eurasia; the opportunities and ethical dilemmas associated with artificial intelligence; and the impact of climate change and water scarcity on demographic dynamics and migration.
The Astana Think Tank Forum is designed to foster open, constructive dialogue among researchers, experts, international organizations, government representatives, and business leaders. Its goal is to produce knowledge-based recommendations that can incentivize cooperation and strengthen global stability and trust - while reinforcing Kazakhstan’s role as a responsible and proactive middle power contributing to the strength of the international system.
Further information is available on the AIF website: astanainternationalforum.org.