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On February 12, 2026, the Faculty of World Economy and International Affairs of HSE University held the Second Conference "Russian Studies of Central Asia".

The event was attended by employees of the Sector for Central Asia of the Center for post-Soviet Studies of IMEMO:

Stanislav Pritchin, Head of the Sector, Cand. of Science (History), moderated the "International Relations" section.

Within the framework of the "Public Development" section, Alexey Zenkov, Senior Researcher, Cand. of Science (Politics), presented a report "Education Development Trajectories in the Kyrgyz Republic: Towards or Away from Eurasian Integration?". In his presentation, the expert paid particular attention to Kyrgyzstan's conceptual framework and approaches to the development of the national education system, current constraints, prospects, as well as cooperation with extra-regional players on this issue.

M. Sobolev, Senior Research Assistant, presented a report "Birth Rate in Uzbekistan: Demographic Aspects of Contemporary Social Changes", devoted to the analysis of the impact of the birth rate in Uzbekistan on the dynamics and nature of social change. During his presentation, the expert shared data on key factors affecting birth rate, their relationship to current socio-economic challenges, and changes in the institution of the family in Uzbekistan.

The conference featured six sections: "History and Ethnography", "Elites", "Public Development", "Security Issues", "International Relations", "Social Economy and Regionalization". More than 60 researchers from 13 regions of Russia participated in the work of the sections.

The event brought together specialists in various aspects of regional life: specifics of historical development, problems of formation and functioning of government institutions, relationship between government and society, security and foreign policy issues, economic development, international economic relations, social sphere.