Bridging Scholarship and Practice in International Law: The Establishment and Prospects of the Kazakhstan Branch of the International Law Association

Abstract

This article examines the relationship between international legal scholarship and practice in Kazakhstan and the institutional significance of establishing the Kazakhstan Branch of the International Law Association (ILA) in 2026. It analyses the role of international law associations in connecting academic research with governmental activity and professional legal practice, as well as the ILA’s contribution to the development of international law. The study demonstrates that Kazakhstan possesses substantial academic and professional capacity in international law, while institutional links between scholars, governmental authorities, and practising lawyers remain insufficiently sustainable. Against this background, the Kazakhstan Branch is examined as a potential platform for connecting existing professional communities rather than replacing existing institutions. Particular attention is given to institutional sustainability, academic independence, and the development of cooperation within Central Asia.