Forecasting Central Asia for 2021 - Results of an Expert Survey

On November 2, The Friedrich Ebert Foundation, in partnership with the OSCE Academy held an event dedicated to the results of the study titled “Forecasting Central Asia 2021”. The purpose of the event was to evaluate the format of the study, analyze the findings, and promote an inclusive discussion about Central Asia. 

As a pilot project, the study presents the results of a survey conducted among experts on the region and is being practiced in the Central Asian context for the first time. The project aims to provide a forecast of political and economic developments in Central Asia over the next three years, covering the following topics. 

• Domestic Politics and Regional Affairs
• Global Challenges affecting the region
• EU-Central Asia relations

The event was held in a hybrid format - offline and online via Zoom Webinar. The event was opened by Christoph Mohr, Regional Director of the FES Kazakhstan, and Dr. Alexander Wolters, the Director of the OSCE Academy. Dr. Sebastian Schiek and Oyuna Baldakova from SPCE Hub presented the findings from the expert survey. 

Discussions focused on “The Promise, Value and Challenges of Forecasting Central Asia” by Dr. Shairbek Dzhuraev, OSCE Academy Fellow, “Traditional Values in Kyrgyzstan” by Dr. Sania Toktogazieva, Associate Professor at the American University of Central Asia and the “Economic Challenges and Climate in Central Asia” by Dr. Rahat Sabyrbekov, OSCE Academy Fellow. Dr. Emil Dzhuraev, Soros Foundation in Kyrgyzstan, moderated the event. 

The ‘Forecasting Central Asia’ Study is conducted jointly by the FES, the OSCE Academy in Bishkek, and the SPCE Hub and aims to help strengthen relations between the EU and Central Asia.