Gulzhakhan U. Khajiyeva

The past decade has witnessed the active institutionalisation of multilateral “5+1” formats between the Central Asian states and external partners. This trend has been reflected in the growing number of summits, ministerial meetings, and joint declarations, although these political developments have not always been followed by economic implementation of a comparable scale. This article examines the institutional mechanisms and instruments that facilitate the transition from political agreements to the implementation of economic projects within the “5+1” formats involving the United States, China, and the European Union between 2015–2025. Drawing on comparative institutional analysis, content analysis of official documents, and case studies, each format is assessed according to six qualitative criteria: regularity of interaction, permanent coordination bodies, specificity of roadmaps, financial provision, monitoring mechanisms, and project outcomes. Multilateral commitments are consistently distinguished from parallel bilateral agreements. The analysis demonstrates that all three formats demonstrate comparable institutional maturity in terms of high-level engagement and permanent coordination mechanisms. However, they differ substantially in the specificity of roadmaps, the alignment of financial instruments with the multilateral level, and the availability of monitoring arrangements. The European Union format has the most developed roadmap and monitoring architecture, whereas the US and Chinese formats reveal a persistent gap between announced funding volumes and their institutional linkage to multilateral rather than bilateral cooperation. The research’s novelty lies in developing a qualitative, non-aggregated comparative framework connecting institutional architecture with documented project outcomes. Its practical significance concerns its applicability to Central Asian ministries, regional coordination bodies, and development institutions.

This study aims to examine the formation of a creative ecosystem in Central Asian cities, with a focus on identifying the factors and barriers influencing the development of the creative sector. The goal of the study is to systematize the key factors in the formation of a creative ecosystem and identify the constraints to the sustainable development of the creative economy at the city level. The research methodology is based on the analysis of qualitative and quantitative data collected from various sources, as well as the results of the study's own fieldwork. The analysis revealed that the region's creative ecosystems are at various stages of maturity. The results of the study allow us to conclude that the sustainable development of a creative ecosystem is determined not only by funding but also by the availability of institutional support, educational resources, infrastructure, and interregional networking. Based on the data obtained, recommendations were formulated for strengthening institutional support, developing educational programs, creating infrastructure initiatives, and stimulating regional integration, which provides a basis for strategic planning and support for the creative sector in Central Asian cities.

In the context of the growing strategic importance of Central Asia against the backdrop of the global transformation of the international relations system, the "5 + 1" formats are becoming an important instrument of foreign economic and foreign policy interaction of the countries of the region with the leading world powers – the USA, China, the EU, Russia and Japan. However, the implementation of initiatives within these formats faces a number of systemic challenges and constraints. The purpose of this study is to identify and comprehensively analyze difficulties slowing down the implementation of joint projects, as well as to find opportunities to improve the effectiveness of international cooperation. The paper examines institutional, political and economic, infrastructural, geopolitical and sociocultural barriers that limit the effectiveness of cooperation. The scientific significance of the study lies in the structured comparative approach to assessing cooperation in the five "CA+1" formats, as well as in identifying institutional deficits and contradictions between the interests of the parties. The results of the study enrich the theoretical base on regional cooperation, sustainable development and international economic integration. The practical significance lies in the development of applied recommendations for strengthening coordination, institutional support and increasing the effectiveness of foreign economic initiatives within the framework of “5+1”.

Artificial intelligence is being actively introduced into academic research, increasing its efficiency and scale. However, its use raises questions of academic integrity, intellectual property protection and the use of an open resource. This is a very important aspect for PhD students who combine training with the creation of new knowledge. Modern scientific research uses various artificial intelligence tools, covering all stages of the scientific process. The aim of the study is to analyze the use of artificial intelligence technologies in research activities, identify key areas of their application, and review tools that help improve the efficiency of scientific research while taking into account ethical standards. Based on a literature review and content analysis, the main areas of AI application were identified: from hypothesis formulation to support for publication activity. This study offers practical recommendations for doctoral students, supervisors and heads of doctoral educational programs.

In this article, the authors analyze small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the Republic of Kazakhstan from 2019 to 2023 from the standpoint of output volume by organizational and legal forms, economic activities, regional specifics, age structure, life cycle of companies, entrepreneurial activity. The research is aimed at studying the stages of the life cycle of companies, identifying characteristic features and identifying problems at these stages. The article used extensive statistical materials and studied scientific papers on the research topic. The authors paid special attention to the age of small and medium-sized companies, the duration of business life stages, growth and scaling. Based on the analysis, the factors that influence the viability of the business and shape the current trends were identified. In conditions of market turbulence, SME support plays a key role in the development of the country's economy. The authors examined the instruments of state support for SMEs and, in general, highlighted the features of state policy in this area. In particular, financial and non-financial support measures were investigated. In addition to concessional loans, grants, subsidies and government guarantees, non-financial instruments also play an important role, among which are such as the creation of necessary infrastructure elements, improving business competencies, access to consulting support and mentoring, trainings and workshops, and the development of partnerships. The developed recommendations will contribute to improving the conditions for business development and improving the tools of state support for SMEs.

The article embarks upon a study of political Sufism in contemporary Kazakhstan and patterns of religious continuity through an examination of Islamic manifestations that stretch back centuries, juxtaposed with the current state religious policy. It examines the role of the Muftiate’s “official Islam” in shaping the life of religious communities, exploring the intricate interplay between religious identity, secularism, and public perception in the post-Soviet landscape. The author employed a multi-faceted research approach, integrating historical analysis, policy examination, and an ethnographic study of contemporary religious dynamics in the country. The historical analysis provides a foundation of the religious landscape, while policy analysis examines the state’s contemporary role in shaping religious practices. Ethnography, focusing on groups such as the Jahriyya, Naqshbandiyya, and the Suhba, involves respondents from diverse regions of Kazakhstan, offering firsthand insights into the experiences and perceptions of Sufi communities at the grassroots level, which enriches the study with a contextual perspective. Notably, fieldwork surveys, where the author engaged with respondents, provide valuable insights into the diverse experiences shaping the dynamics of political Sufism and religious continuity. They involved a diverse group of respondents, including religious leaders, community members, and secular intellectuals, from multiple regions of Kazakhstan at both urban and rural levels. The article is of scientific and practical significance as it enhances understanding of religious dynamics in the country, offering policymakers, scholars, and practitioners valuable perspectives for informed decision-making and policy development. The research’s limitations include its focus on specific Sufi groups within Kazakhstan, which may not represent the full spectrum of Islamic practices across the region. The recommendations emphasize the need for further analysis of how prioritizing doctrinal adherence over individual freedoms contributes to the erosion of authentic religious institutions and the politicization of Islam. It also recommends to investigate the roles of Sufi groups in filling spiritual and social vacuums, their potential for politicization, and how this interplay affects religious freedom and national identity in Kazakhstan. This is particularly significant given the state’s efforts to appropriate Islamic traditions for ideological purposes, which has led to a separation between Islamic doctrine and its lived expressions. Finally, it emphasizes the need for further comparative research on Sufi movements across Central Asia to better understand how different state policies impact religious communities.

The article analyzes Japan’s economic interaction with Central Asia within the framework of the «5+1» format, which is a unique mechanism of multilateral cooperation that has attracted the attention of leading world powers in recent years due to the strategic importance of the region in the context of energy resources and transit routes. The research is based on a comprehensive analysis of investment, trade and economic relations between the countries of Central Asia and Japan. The main purpose was to identify key trends and factors that determine the dynamics of economic interaction and analyze the interrelations of economies. The hypotheses were tested using comparative statistics, dynamic analysis and graphical method, as well as using statistical methods, including calculation of correlation coefficients and multiple regression. Limitations of the study include the lack of data for some countries and periods. The analysis showed a moderate positive correlation between the GDP (Gross domestic product) of the countries of Central Asia and Japan, indicating economic interdependence. Japan’s investment activity is manifested in significant investments in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, with recent growth in Tajikistan. Trade turnover between the countries fluctuates due to global and regional factors. Despite the positive correlation of economies, Central Asia's influence on Japan remains limited. Japanese investment plays a key role in the region's development, but political instability and domestic problems in the countries reduce their effectiveness. Trade also faces challenges, including customs barriers and infrastructure limitations.

The study focuses on the specifics and peculiarities of the implementation of strategic plans in the sphere of economy and politics of Central Asian (CA) countries in response to the challenges of deglobalisation. The purpose of the article is to analyse and evaluate the socio-economic strategies of Kazakhstan and Central Asian countries in the context of their integration processes and development, and to determine their impact on regional stability and international cooperation. The study was conducted using such scientific methods as systematic literature review, meta-analysis, analytical synthesis, comparative and critical analysis. The scientific significance of the study lies in the systematisation and critical analysis of the strategies of socio-economic development of CA countries through the prism of their participation in regional integration processes, which allows to deepen the understanding of this multidimensional phenomenon. The practical significance of the work is expressed in the formation of proposals for the optimisation of integration processes, which is important for the creation of an effective economic environment in the region. The results of the study are of value for the academic community, politicians and experts dealing with regional integration and international economic relations in general. The recommendations proposed in the article can be used to develop more effective mechanisms of interstate interaction and the formation of sustainable economic policy.

The study aims to evaluate the efficiency of the Republic of Kazakhstan's healthcare sector over the period 2014-2021 using the non-parametric method of data envelope analysis. The analysis was carried out based on quantitative indicators of the medical statistics of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The study's results prove that efficiency tends to change over the medium term. Simultaneously, implementing digital technologies based on the computerisation and digitalisation of the healthcare sector in the short term is revealed to reduce overall efficiency, but that efficiency increases in the long term. The events of the COVID-19 pandemic did not reduce the overall efficiency of the healthcare sector in the Republic of Kazakhstan.