Paris, 23 September 2026– The French Institute for International and Strategic Affairs (IRIS) hosted a conference entitled “Kazakhstan: A Eurasian Middle Power in the Age of Multipolarity”, dedicated to the 35th anniversary of the Independence of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
The speakers included CatherinePoujol, Professor of Central Asian History at the National Institute for Oriental Languages and Civilizations (INALCO); Adrien Fauve, lecturer at Paris-SaclayUniversity; and SamiRamdani, Research Fellow at IRIS and Co-Head of its Energy and Raw MaterialsProgramme. The discussion was moderated by Lukas Aubin, Director of Research at IRIS and Head of the Geopolitical Observatory of the Post-Soviet Space.Gulsara Arystankulova, Ambassador of Kazakhstan to France, delivered the closing remarks.
The discussion focused on Kazakhstan’s role in the emerging multipolar international system, the distinctive features of its diplomacy, its relations with major globalcentresof power, as well as energy security, transport connectivity and regional cooperation.
CatherinePoujolhighlighted the consistency and pragmatism of Kazakhstan’s foreign policy, its role as a platform for international dialogue, and its longstanding contribution to nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation.
Adrien Fauve reviewed Kazakhstan’s key foreign policy achievements over the 35 years of its independence, with particular attention to the development of Kazakh-French relations, the country’s active diplomacy in bilateral and multilateral formats, including the “Central Asia +” mechanisms, and Astana’s growing role as a platform for international dialogue.
SamiRamdaniaddressed the energy dimension of Kazakhstan’s geopolitics, including the energy transition, nuclear energy, the diversification of partnershipsand export routes, as well as the country’s importance for European energy security and the development of the Middle Corridor.
In her closing remarks, AmbassadorGulsara Arystankulovaoutlined the political and institutional transformations underway in Kazakhstan, including the entry into force of the new Constitution, the beginning of the work of the unicameral Parliament, and the establishment of theHalyk Kenesi. It wasemphasisedthat the reforms are aimed at furthermodernisingthe state, strengthening its institutions and ensuring sustainable socio-economic development.
The Ambassador also highlighted Kazakhstan’s growing role as a middle power and its balanced and pragmatic foreign policy based on national interests and mutually beneficial cooperation, as well as the prospects for further strengthening the strategic partnership with France.
The conference attracted considerable interest among the French public and brought together around 200 participants, including experts and analysts, representatives of the business community, IRIS students, as well as students and doctoral researchers from French higher education institutions. During the discussion, the Ambassador and the speakers answered questions from the audience on current aspects of Kazakhstan’s foreign policy.
