Central Asia is confronting various geopolitical, economic, and environmental challenges. As the relationship between China, Russia, and the West deteriorates, Central Asian governments face growing pressure to recalibrate their foreign and security policies. Economic vulnerabilities persist, while climate change accelerates resource scarcity. The Taliban takeover in Afghanistan and Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine have impacted regional dynamics, reshaping perceptions of threat and security. At the same time, rampant corruption, societal polarization, and persistent poverty across Central Asia are contributing to a greater risk of domestic upheaval in the years to come.
This seminar offers a comprehensive overview of current security trends in Central Asia. It examines the evolution of formal and informal security arrangements, the strategic roles of external actors—including China, the European Union, Turkey, and Russia—and the domestic sources of resilience and instability. The seminar looks at where the region is heading and discusses the effects of Central Asian conflicts and cooperation on Finland, Europe, and the West at large.
Programme
Opening words:
Arkady Moshes, Programme Director, FIIA
Speaker:
Temur Umarov, Fellow, Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center
Comments:
Terhi Hakala, Ambassador, Special Envoy of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Former EU Special Representative for Central Asia (2021-2024), Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland
Chair:
Kristiina Silvan, Postdoctoral Fellow, FIIA