Kazakhstan, long seen as an example of stability in Central Asia, experienced unprecedented mass protests in reaction to increases in fuel prices. Violence later broke out in Almaty, the country’s largest city and business hub, as crowds took over government buildings and public infrastructure. The government of Kazakhstan appealed to the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), marking the CSTO’s first ever mobilization.

Multiple narratives have emerged as details remain unclear in the wake of large-scale internet shutdowns throughout the country. At this event we will discuss the unrest in Kazakhstan and what it means for the country and region going forward.

10:00 – 10:05   Welcome & Opening Remarks 

•  - Efgan Nifti, Chief Executive Officer, Caspian Policy Center

Moderator

• - Ambassador (ret.) Richard Hoagland, Security and Politics Program Chair, Caspian Policy Center, U.S. -- Ambassador to Kazakhstan (2008-2011)

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

10:05 – 10:30 Opening Remarks  

• - Akbota Karibayeva, PhD Candidate, George Washington University
• - Almas Chukin, Managing Partner, Visor Kazakhstan
• - Dr. Gavin Helf, Senior Expert, U.S. Institute of Peace
• - Ambassador Yerzhan Ashikbayev, Ambassador to the United States, Embassy of Kazakhstan

​​​​​​​

10:30 am – 11:00 am   Moderated Discussion and Q&A

• - Dr. Gavin Helf, Senior Expert, U.S. Institute of Peace
• - Dr. Nargis Kassenova, Director of the Program on Central Asia, Davis Center, Harvard University (Invited)
• - Ambassador Yerzhan Ashikbayev, Ambassador to the United States, Embassy of Kazakhstan

10:20 am – 11:00 am     Moderated Discussion and Q&A