The objective of the forum is to provide an international platform for scholars, business representatives, government bodies, and civil society, integrating scientific-educational, historical-cultural, and practice-oriented approaches.

The forum is dedicated to discussing pressing issues of sustainable development and promoting Western Kazakhstan as a center of cultural heritage of the Turkic world and an international tourism destination.

• Economic Sustainability: economic growth, industry and innovation, financial stability, resilient infrastructure, ESG principles, green and circular economy, sustainable cities and regions, inclusive development.
• Socio-Cultural Sustainability: human capital development, demographic stability, accessible education and healthcare, poverty and inequality reduction, consumer culture, creative potential, and preservation of cultural heritage.
• Environmental Sustainability: climate change, green energy, environmental protection, digital technologies for ecosystem preservation, ecological risks.

The Forum is held within the framework of the events “Aktau – the Cultural Capital of the Turkic World 2025” and research of the Institute of Economics of the Science Committee of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Caspian University of Technology and Engineering, named after Sh. Yessenov (Yessenov University), on the project “Sustainable Development of Natural-Economic and Socio-Economic Systems of the West Kazakhstan Region in the Context of Green Growth: Comprehensive Analysis, Concept, Forecasts and Scenarios” (BR21882122), carried out by a consortium led by the Al-Farabi Kazakh National University (https://ecokazwest.kz/).

The forum will bring together national and international scholars, experts, business representatives, government institutions, and civil society organizations.

• 22-23 September, 2025 – Scientific Forum “The Caspian Region at the Crossroads of Epochs and Cultures: Challenges and Prospects of the Sustainable Development Paradigm”.
  Yessenov University
• 22-26 September, 2025 – International Seminar on Sustainable Development “Caspian Nomad”.
• 24 September, 2025 – Master Classes.
  Yessenov University 
• 25 September, 2025 – Field research.
  Aktau, Mangistau region
• 26 September, 2025 – Teamwork on discussion of field research with presentation of results.
  Yessenov University

One week. Consultations with the organizers. Familiarization with the forum program, thematic areas, requirements. Preparation of the article. Literature review, selection of research methodology, analysis. Article formatting. Sending materials to the event organizers. Revision (at the organizer’s request). Sending the final version of the article. Preparation of a presentation or poster.

First day. Organizational session. Introducing participants to trainers and section moderators. Presentation of results at sessions.
Poster discussion. At this event, school participants will be offered routes for field research, international groups of participants will be defined, and group leaders will be appointed.

Second day. Presentation of results at sessions. Discussion of posters. Organizational session. Discussion of work plan of field research groups. Providing groups with materials for work. Discussion of collection and dispatch locations.

Third day. Master classes.

Stephen Pratt

How to publish in international academic journals.
Using various methods for rigorous social science research.

Tunç Medeni

Triple (Green, Digital and Lean) Transformation
Eco-Innovative Strategies and ESG (Environment Society Governance)
Evaluation Training of SMEs (Small and Medium Enterprises)

Erkin Sadykov – General Director of the Institute of Economics of the CS MSHE RK, Doctor of Economics, Professor.

Berik Akhmetov – President-Rector of YESSENOV UNIVERSITY, MBA, Candidate of Technical Sciences, Professor.

Askarova Maulken Akishevna – Doctor of Geographical Sciences, Professor of the Department of Geography, Land Management and Cadastre of the Al-Farabi Kazakh National University.

Rashit Mustapaev – Director of the Chamber of Entrepreneurs of the Mangistau Region, PhD in Economics.

Askar Seydaliev – Vice President for Research and Development, PhD in Engineering, Associate professor.

Zaure Chulanova  – Deputy Director General for Science, PhD in Economics, Associate professor.

Gulnaz Alibekova – Deputy Director General for Development and External Relations, PhD.

Ryszhan Kabylkairatkyzy – Chief Scientific Secretary of the Institute of Economics.

Samal Syrlybekkyzy – Head of the Science and Research Department of YESSENOV UNIVERSITY, PhD.

Aliya Aktymbaeva – Dean of the Faculty of Geography and Nature Management of the Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, PhD in Geographical Sciences, Associate Professor.

Gulnara Nyusupova – Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Doctor of Geographical Sciences, Professor.

Farida Alzhanova – Chief Researcher of the Institute of Economics, Doctor of Economic Sciences, Associate Professor.

Tunç Medeni – PhD, Associate Professor at Yildirim Beyazit University (Türkiye).

Deniza Aliyeva – Doctor of Economics, Management Development Institute of Singapore (Uzbekistan).

Lola Sultanova – PhD in Economics, Associate Professor, National University of Uzbekistan named after Mirzo Ulugbek, Tashkent, Republic of Uzbekistan.

Fatima Gerfanova  – Foundation for Sustainable Development of Rural Areas.

Adilbek Kozybakov  – Chairman of the Regional Environmental Council of the ECOJER Association for Western Kazakhstan.

Nailya Nurlanova – Chief Researcher of the Institute of Economics, Doctor of Economics, Professor.

Aizhan Tleuberdinova  – Chief Researcher of the Institute of Economics, Doctor of Economics, Professor.

Nursaule Brimbetova  – Leading Researcher of the Institute of Economics, PhD in Economics, Associate Professor.

Zhasym Osmanov – Leading Researcher of the Institute of Economics, PhD in Economics, Associate Professor.

Zayra Satpayeva – Leading Researcher Institute of Economics, PhD, associate professor.

Dana Kangalakova – Leading researcher at the Institute of Economics, PhD, associate professor.

Nurgul Saparbek  – Researcher at the Institute of Economics, PhD.

Kymbat Zhangalieva – Researcher at the Institute of Economics.

• All participants will receive an electronic collection of forum materials (ISBN), certificates. Photos and videos will be available on the event page, on the event page in social networks or sent to participants.
• Participants of the scientific forum on September 22-23, 2025 will have access to all sections of the scientific forum, a participant folder, a certificate, lunches and coffee breaks during the days of the scientific forum.
• Participants of the International Seminar on Sustainable Development Caspian Nomad on September 22-26, 2025 will have access to all sections of the scientific forum, master classes, field research, a participant folder, a certificate for 75 academic hours, lunches and coffee breaks.

Forum participants wishing to take tours of the region before or after the forum can contact the organizers for information support and assistance with booking. Forum participants requiring support with booking hotels in Aktau can contact the organizers for more information.

Aktau has over 130 accommodation options, including 27 hotels of various categories – from low cost to international chain hotels, over 100 apartments, as well as recreation areas.
Rixos Water World Aktau, Aktau city, Warm Beach, 34
Holiday Inn: Aktau – Seaside, Microdistrict 15 Samal
Holiday Inn Aktau by IHG, Microdistrict 4, 73
Grand Hotel Victory,
Microdistrict 13, 25А
Caspian Riviera Grand Palace, Microdistrict 4
Renaissance by Sulo, Microdistrict 9.
Aston Hotel, Microdistrict 9, 23/1
Golden Palace, Microdistrict 6, 40a

Aktau International Airport (https://aktau-airport.kz/en/) is located 24.5 km from Aktau.
You can contact the hotel and request a transfer.

Email: isef2025.ieconom.kz@gmail.com