On 12 June, the Institute for Advanced International Studies (IAIS) convened a meeting with Henrik S. Werenskiold, Editor-in-Chief of Geopolitika.no and member of the Norwegian Editors’ Association, to explore avenues for deepening editorial collaboration, fostering joint research initiatives and broadening the international reach of their respective expert communities.

IAIS Director Akram Umarov opened the proceedings by warmly welcoming Mr Werenskiold and underlining IAIS’s long-standing commitment to knowledge-sharing and cross-border scholarly exchange. Deputy Director Odil Gafarov provided an overview of IAIS’s current publications and outreach platforms, emphasising the Institute’s recent efforts to integrate diverse regional perspectives into its policy briefs and analytical reports.

IAIS highlighted the potential for reciprocal contributions to Geopolitika.no’s publications. Mr Werenskiold expressed keen interest, noting that it would enrich Geopolitika.no’s content with in-depth regional analyses and, in turn, provide IAIS experts with a broader European readership and critical engagement. The dialogue subsequently turned to potential joint initiatives, including co-hosted seminars, expert roundtables and collaborative policy workshops.

In closing, Director Umarov and Mr Werenskiold reaffirmed their mutual commitment to establishing a durable partnership. They pledged to formalize a memorandum of understanding to enhance the global visibility of Central Asian expertise, bolster interdisciplinary dialogue and lay the foundation for enduring institutional ties between IAIS and Geopolitika.no.