How do various projects carried out by Chinese and Central Asian partners fit into both the Digital Silk Road (DSR), part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), and into the national digitalization policies developed by Central Asian states? What incentives do they respond to, and what opportunities do they create? What challenges do they face, and what implications do they carry for the governance in the region?
Please join us for the launch of the new report “Digital Silk Road in Central Asia: Present and Future.” The authors will discuss the processes of digitalization and growing digital connectivity in Central Asia, and the role that China and Chinese information communication technology (ICT) companies play.
This report is the product of a joint project carried out by the Davis Center for Russian and Eurasian Studies, Harvard University, and the Sustainable Kazakhstan Research Institute, Narxoz University, with the support of the Friedrich Ebert Foundation in Kazakhstan.
Register for Zoom webinar, or watch live on YouTube.
Download the complete text of the report (PDF)
Agenda
Introduction
Nargis Kassenova, Brendan Duprey, and Christoph Mohr
Presentations
Elisa Oreglia, The Puzzle of the Digital Silk Road
Cian Stryker, Digital Silk Road and Surveillance Technology in Central Asia
Anna Gussarova, Beyond the GovTech: The Pitfalls of Kazakhstan’s Digitization Agenda
Rustam Muhamedov, Turkmenistan’s Digitization Strategy: Old Practices, New Façade?
Brendan Duprey and Akmal Akramkhanov, The Role of Big Earth Data for the Implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals in Central Asia
Q&A and Concluding Remarks
Sponsorship
Co-sponsored by the Davis Center, Narxoz University Sustainable Kazakhstan Research Institute, and the Friedrich Ebert Foundation (Kazakhstan).
Accessibility
The Davis Center for Russian and Eurasian Studies at Harvard University encourages persons with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation or have questions about the physical access provided, please contact us at 617-495-4037 or daviscenter@fas.harvard.edu in advance of your participation or visit. Requests for Sign Language interpreters and/or CART providers should be made at least two weeks in advance if possible. Please note that the Davis Center will make every effort to secure services but that services are subject to availability.
