On 4 June, IAIS hosted a stimulating Frontier Talks seminar titled “The Central Asian Dimension of Soft Power in French Foreign Policy”. The event featured Mokhira Saidazimkhujaeva, PhD Candidate at UWED, who presented her latest research on France’s evolving cultural and diplomatic engagement across Central Asia.

Ms Saidazimkhujaeva’s presentation offered an in-depth analysis of France’s use of soft-power tools — such as cultural diplomacy, academic exchanges, and development cooperation — contextualised within broader shifts in French foreign policy since the end of the Cold War. She explored how institutions like the Alliance Française and French university partnerships have served to strengthen bilateral ties with countries across the region, promote French values, and contribute to local policy discussions on topics ranging from renewable energy to heritage preservation.

The seminar was marked by dynamic discussions and an engaging Q&A session. Participants actively contributed insights and posed thoughtful questions on the practical dimensions of soft power in Central Asia, the strategic implications of France’s outreach, and the prospects for future cooperation under the Global Gateway framework.

This session reaffirmed IAIS’s commitment to fostering rigorous scholarly dialogue on contemporary geopolitical issues. Frontier Talks will continue to serve as a platform for interdisciplinary exchange, bringing together established experts and emerging researchers to illuminate pressing challenges and opportunities in international affairs.

* The Institute for Advanced International Studies (IAIS) does not take institutional positions on any issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the IAIS.