Sh. Saymova, "AIU Scientist at the Astana Think Tank Forum 2025"

On October 15-16, 2025, at the Astana Think Tank Forum 2025 in Astana, PhD Sholpan Saimova, research director of the project "AP26100031 – International Mediation Hub as an Instrument for Peaceful Conflict Resolution and Nuclear Disarmament: Experience of Kazakhstan and Foreign Countries," presented a paper on nuclear disarmament issues.

This year's forum was held under the motto "From Polarization to Partnership: Rebuilding Trust in the International System."

Organized by the Kazakhstan Institute for Strategic Studies under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan (KISS), the forum brought together leading analysts, experts, and representatives of international organizations to discuss current challenges to global security, trust diplomacy, and sustainable development.

As part of the forum, Sholpan Saimova participated in the panel session "The Nuclear Challenge: Non-proliferation and Disarmament in an Era of Strategic Rivalry," dedicated to strengthening the international nuclear non-proliferation regime, resuming dialogue between leading powers, and finding new forms of trust in the global security system.

The session was moderated by Dauren ABEN, Head of the International Security Department at the Kazakh Institute of Strategic Studies (KISS) under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Speakers included:

* Ali Sarwar NAKVI, Executive Director, Center for International Strategic Studies (Pakistan);

* Daryl KIMBALL, Executive Director, Arms Control Association (USA);

* Rajiv NAYAN, Senior Fellow, Manohar Parrikar Institute of Defense Studies (India);

* Tarik RAUF, independent nuclear governance expert, former head of the IAEA Office of Verification and Security Policy Coordination (Austria);

* Vladimir ORLOV, founder and director of the PIR Center, professor at MGIMO (Russia).

The discussion focused on contemporary challenges to the international security architecture, prospects for resuming dialogue between leading powers, confidence-building measures, and Kazakhstan's role as a country consistently advocating for a nuclear-free world and peaceful conflict resolution.

The experts noted the importance of Kazakhstan's experience in nuclear disarmament and emphasized the need to develop new instruments for global cooperation based on trust, transparency, and mutual responsibility.

The session was held in the spirit of a constructive exchange of opinions and interdisciplinary scientific dialogue and will contribute to the implementation of the principles of a fair, secure, and sustainable international system.

The Astana Think Tank Forum is a prestigious platform bringing together leading global experts and thinkers. The participation of AIU scientists in academic discussions of this caliber demonstrates the university's activity in the international research community.