A series of panels will identify major emerging themes, linkages and trends, and reflect on their strategic impact and security policy implications. Topics include the impact of Afghanistan and the Georgian crisis on Central Asian security politics; energy geopolitics; the 2010 Kazakh OSCE Chairmanship; the role of the Collective Security Treaty Organization and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in the region, as well as US, and Chinese, Russian, Iranian and Indian policies towards Central Asia.

“This forward-looking, high-calibre seminar on regional issues is another example of the vibrancy of the OSCE Academy. It reminds us of the strong international and regional academic network that exists on Central Asian issues, of which the Academy forms an important part,” said Ambassador Andrew Tesoriere, the Head of the OSCE Centre in Bishkek and Chairman of OSCE Academy’s Board of Trustees.

Tesoriere added that the day before the seminar, the Board of Trustees had met to discuss and consider innovative ways to further strengthen the Academy’s regional links and funding. The Board welcomed the appointment of Murat Laumulin of Kazakhstan as Co-Chairman of the Academy as well as the new Academy Director, Maxim Ryabkov of the Russian Federation.

Ryabkov added: “We at the OSCE Academy take pride in our continuing partnership with the Geneva Center for Security Policy and the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs. This seminar is one of the many results of our collaboration. It is an open and frank discussion of the most current issues by a very representative and diverse panel of experts. The topics highlight the global context in which Central Asian states operate and play important roles.”

The Geneva Centre for Security Policy will publish a Geneva Paper on the seminar’s key findings.