Faculty of International Relations of al-Farabi Kazakh National University on October, 16, 2018 held  and International Scientific and Practical Conference "Kazakhstan as a migration hub of Eurasia: the contribution of migration to sustainable development" within the framework of the project "Migratory Bridges in Eurasia" which was organized in cooperation with the Institute of Socio-Political Research of the Russian Academy of Sciences, the Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO University) Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, International Organization on Migration and United Nations Public Information agency.

The purpose of this conference was to strengthen the multilateral dialogue on migration and cooperation in the Eurasian space, assess the role of Kazakhstan and its partners in the formation of a sustainable system for regulating migration processes.

Representatives of the expert, scientific and business community, representatives of diplomatic missions, public and international organizations accredited in the Republic of Kazakhstan were the participants of the Conference.

The conference was opened by the first Vice-Rector of al-Farabi  KazNU Burkitbaev Mukhambetkli Myrzabayevich. In his welcoming address, M. Burkitbaev noted that migration processes have become an integral part of globalization and sustainable development, and also emphasized the special role of educational migration and Universities, as the main drivers of innovation and progress.

In his speech, it was noted that Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, as the leading University of the country, took an active course towards integration into the world educational space and orientation to the best world practices in higher education and quality immediately after joining the Bologna process. Today, KazNU is focused on the implementation of priority goals in the field of education, stated in the state strategy “Kazakhstan-2050” and in the program “Rukhani Zhangyru” and by the UN global Sustainable Development Agenda until 2030, 17 sustainable development. In 2018, the KazNU advanced 16 positions ahead in the authoritative international rating “QS WUR”, taking 220th place. “In recent years, our University has increasingly positioned itself as an educational hub in the Central Asian and Eurasian space and has attracted more and more students from many countries around the world”, - the first Vice- Rector noted.

Welcome addresses were also made by:

• Director of the Institute of Socio-Political Research of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Head of the Department of Demographic and Migration Policy MGIMO University, Corresponding member of the RAS Mr. Sergey V. Ryazantsev
• Head of Almaty Office, Sub-regional Coordination Office for Central Asia, International Organization for Migration/UN Agency on Migration, Ms. Victoriya Kasab
• Consul-Advisor of Consulate Gerenal of the Russian Federation Mr. Stepan Sokolov.
• Consul General of the Republic of Tajikistan, Mr. Bakhodur Nazir.
• Head of the United Nations Department of Public Information in Almaty, Mr. Abdurahim MuhidovThe plenary session also presented several keynote presentations.

The plenary session also presented several keynote presentations.

Representatives of teaching stuff, young scientists and students of Nazarbayev University, Turan University, KIMEP, Kazakh Ablai Khan University of International Relations and World Languages also took an active part in the conference.

In general, the conference was held in an active working atmosphere, the work of the sections was intense and productive. According to the results of the conference, a collection of reviewed RISCs will be released.

Conference working languages were: English, Russian, Kazakh.