On August 15, the Institute for Advanced International Studies (IAIS) held a working meeting with Zhandos Shaimardanov, Director of the Kazakhstan Institute for Strategic Studies under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan (KazISS), and Aidar Kurmashev, Head of the Asian Studies Department at KazISS.

The parties presented the activities of their organizations and discussed key areas of analytical work. Particular attention was paid to upcoming KazISS events — the Astana Think Tank Forum in October 2025 and the Astana International Forum in May 2026, to which Kazakhstani colleagues invited representatives of the IAIS.

The participants touched upon topics on the international agenda, as well as the impact of geopolitical processes on Central Asia. Among the possible formats for cooperation, joint events on topical issues were considered, and it was proposed to work on joint research and publications reflecting common approaches to key issues of regional development and security.

The meeting confirmed the interest of IAIS and KazISS in strengthening their systematic partnership and expanding their joint research agenda.