Historic Milestone: Establishment of the Central Asia and Caucasus Section of ASPA

A significant milestone for public administration in Central Asia and the Caucasus was reached with the official establishment of the first-ever dedicated section for these two regions within the American Society for Public Administration (ASPA). This historic decision was unanimously approved during ASPA’s International Assembly on March 30, 2025.

Mr. Alikhan Baimenov, Chairman of the ACSH Steering Committee, highlighted the importance of this development, stating: “The ASPA model, which brings together practitioners, scholars, and former public servants, is invaluable. This partnership will open new opportunities to enhance the region’s scientific and expert potential and strengthen public administration practices.”

ASPA Section for Central Asia and Caucasus will foster greater collaboration with global public administration experts, promote research and knowledge exchange, and contribute to the continuous improvement of governance systems across the region.

The establishment of this section represents a pivotal moment in the advancement of public administration in Central Asia and the Caucasus. It reflects a collective commitment to strengthening public service capacity and ensuring more effective, accountable governance across the region—and beyond.

The 2025 ASPA Conference, held under the theme “Not Yet Robots: How to Keep Public Servants in Public Service,” served as a key platform for addressing the challenges faced by public servants in the digital age. With more than 100 panel sessions across six thematic areas, the conference offered valuable insights into the future of public service and governance, fostering global collaboration and knowledge sharing among experts and scholars.