Can We Negotiate with the Planet? Key Insights from Ilyas Kanybek's Lecture at AIU

On April 21, Astana International University (AIU) hosted a profound discussion regarding the future of our planet and region. Students of the International Relations program met with guest lecturer Ilyas Kanybek, a Climate Resilience Expert at the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) and an Affiliated Research Fellow at the Tian Shan Policy Center.

The theme — "International Environmental Cooperation & Multilateral Organizations" — sparked vivid interest among future diplomats and analysts.

In the first part of his presentation, Ilyas Kanybek provided a snapshot of the rules-based world order. He emphasized that environmental problems do not stop at borders: air, water, species, and climate are issues that no single state owns alone. Consequently, states must agree on shared rules, principles (such as "polluter pays"), and commitments like the Paris Agreement to shape global behavior.

The expert highlighted key challenges currently facing the five countries of Central Asia:

• Retreating Glaciers: The Tian Shan and Pamir ranges — the region's "water towers" — are losing ice year by year.

• Competing Water Demands: Rivers shared by all five countries are becoming more variable and precious.

• Lessons of the Aral and Caspian: The Aral Sea stands as a living reminder of the costs incurred when large-scale environmental decisions are made without regional cooperation.

The lecture concluded with an active discussion where students asked about professional paths within international organizations and the role of "middle powers" in the new world order.

At the end of the meeting, a commemorative gift was presented to the guest on behalf of AIU. Ilyas Kanybek expressed his sincere admiration for the university's atmosphere, the high level of student preparation, and their engagement with the global climate agenda.