The event was organized by the al-Farabi Kazakh National University and the Kazakhstan Institute for Strategic Studies with the support of the OSCE Centre in Astana. It brought together young academics and professors from seven OSCE participating States - Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Moldova, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Kazakhstan.

The participants exchanged views on how Kazakhstan as the 2010 OSCE Chair should address old and new threats to security, and promote co-operation and respect for human rights in the OSCE region. They also discussed Kazakhstan’s experience in maintaining stability in a multi-ethnic society, and how the country could contribute to regional security, conflict prevention, tackling protracted conflicts and further enhancing confidence among participating States.

"The decision giving the OSCE 2010 Chairmanship to Kazakhstan was agreed by consensus among all 56 OSCE participating States, and we welcome the country’s dedication to the Organization," said Jeannette Kloetzer, the Deputy Head of the OSCE Centre. "Chairing the OSCE is a challenging responsibility that one participating State accepts in order to serve the collective good of all participating States. It is the privilege of the OSCE Centre in Astana to support this effort."

Zhanat Zakiyeva, an Adviser at Kazakhstan’s Foreign Ministry, added: "The preparations for the OSCE Chairmanship are now being completed, and Kazakhstan’s priorities during the Chairmanship in all three OSCE dimensions have been formulated. The priorities of the Kazakh Chairmanship include ensuring that the Organization functions effectively, and that its role as a platform for enhanced political dialogue is strengthened."

The conference follows a series of roundtable meetings, academic conferences, lectures and publications meant to raise awareness of the Organization’s principles and commitments and assist the Kazakhstani Government in its preparations for the 2010 OSCE Chairmanship.