Kazakhstan Proposes ‘Expert Alliance’ to Reform Global Governance

Zhandos Shaimardanov, director of the Kazakhstan Institute for Strategic Studies (KazISS) under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, has called for the formation of an international network of think tanks to act as an intellectual capacity for reforming the global governance architecture. He said the proposal stems from lessons learned in regional cooperation efforts across Central Asia. Speaking at the session “Central Asia in the Changing Architecture of Global Security: Challenges and Opportunities” during the Astana Think Tank Forum 2025, Shaimardanov said the world is experiencing a period of geopolitical flux. The old global rules no longer function effectively, while new norms have yet to take shape. “History is giving our region a chance to show leadership,” he said. “Central Asia is realizing its agency and unity, ready to formulate collective responses to global challenges and offer a positive agenda. Trust and mutual respect have made us resilient, and now this political capital must be transformed into institutional resources.” Shaimardanov stressed that the existing global security architecture is in crisis, with mechanisms such as the UN Security Council and arms control frameworks losing effectiveness. “In September, at the UN General Assembly, the President of Kazakhstan rightly observed that serious violations of international law have become the new norm. This is a sign that global institutions need intellectual renewal. When multilateral mechanisms fail, it is the regions that retain the potential for agreement,” he said. From Regional Unity to Global Contribution Shaimardanov recalled that at the sixth Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia, held in Astana last August, regional leaders adopted the "Central Asia 2040" concept, which sets out a long-term vision for cooperation across the region. “Now is the time not just to implement this document without slogans,” he said, “but to present this regional experience to the broader world.” He said that Central Asia’s cooperative model could help redefine the principles of global governance. As a bloc of “middle powers,” the region can offer a constructive and non-hegemonic voice. “In this context, Kazakhstan proposes creating an expert alliance of middle powers, a global network of think tanks and institutions that could help rethink international systems,” Shaimardanov said. He suggested that such a body could cooperate with international organizations, including the United Nations, to develop joint strategies on security, sustainable development, and institutional accountability. “Central Asia can not only adapt to new realities but also offer new ideas that security can be built not on fear but on trust,” he said. Focus Areas: Digital Trust, Water Security, Human Capital Shaimardanov noted that an expert network would help Central Asian countries coordinate on key development challenges, including digitalization, water management, and innovation. He highlighted the example of Kazakh startup Higgsfield AI, which recently achieved unicorn status with a valuation exceeding $1 billion. The company developed a generative AI tool that creates videos from text prompts. “This is a major milestone not only for Kazakhstan but for the entire region,” he said. “It reflects Central Asia’s growing...