Creating an open and safe digital space for the development and prosperity of Kazakhstan
280 Baizakov Street
The Qazaqstan IGF is a part of the global Internet Governance Forum (IGF), mandated by the United Nations. Regional and national IGF initiatives represented in 85 countries and 17 regions across four continents.
Qazaqstan IGF is a unique annual national forum on internet governance, bringing together representatives from government authorities , the private sector, civil society, and academia to discuss a wide range of issues related to internet governance and cybersecurity.
Our mission is to promote development of cyberspace in Kazakhstan that is open, innovative, and secure for all citizens and participants. We aim to ensure balanced internet governance, taking into account the interests of society, business, and the government.
OPENNESS AND ACCESSIBILITY
We advocate for unrestricted access to information, ensuring the openness of the internet for all citizens and organizations in Kazakhstan. We believe that the internet should serve as a platform for the exchange of knowledge, ideas, innovations, and the growth of the digital economy.
CYBERSECURITY
We prioritize ensuring the security of the online space.
DIGITAL RIGHTS
We aim to protect the digital rights of citizens, including the right to freedom of expression and data privacy, and uphold ethical standards and principles online.
INNOVATION AND DEVELOPMENT
We promote innovative development in digital technologies in Kazakhstan and support research, advancement, and the implementation of new digital solutions that contribute to the progress of society and the economy.
PARTICIPATION AND COLLABORATION
We provide with a platform for dialogue and collaboration among citizens, businesses, and the government, aiming for balanced solutions that consider a diversity of voices and opinions.
SUPPORTING THE DIGITAL ECOSYSTEM
We collaborate with participants in the digital ecosystem, including the government, private sector, and society, to jointly develop digital infrastructure and promote innovative growth.
Registration
Vlastimil Samek, Representative of the United Nations Department of Global Communications in Kazakhstan
Vahan Hovsepyan, Senior Community and Public Policy Officer
Sarkis Darbinyan, General Counsel of the Eurasian Digital Foundation
Description: In an unstable geopolitical situation, the issue of access to an open and free Internet is becoming important. New rules for regulating the online space are being created, new products based on AI and big data technologies are entering the market, which in one way or another determine and adjust the rights of citizens and business interests in conditions of continuous digital interaction. Only balanced Internet governance, taking into account the interests of all stakeholders, can create conditions for the development of the digital economy, as well as innovation, while not limiting, but guaranteeing digital human rights in Kazakhstan.
Speakers:
Vlastimil Samek, Representative of the United Nations Department of Global Communications in Kazakhstan
Jaap Ora, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Estonia to the Republic of Kazakhstan
Mikhail Anisimov, Stakeholder Engagement Senior Manager - Eastern Europe & Central Asia
Ruslan Daiyrbekov, Founder of the Eurasian Digital Foundation, Managing Partner of the DRCQ Law Firm
Moderator: Sarkis Darbinyan, General Counsel of the Eurasian Digital Foundation
Coffee break
Speakers:
Aziza Shuzheeva, Chairman of the Board of the NGO "TechnoWoman", founder of the Public Foundation "Digital Transformation"
Zhanargul Abdrakhmanova, Leader of the NGO "TechnoWomen", MBA CIO, Expert auditor of the ISMS of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Independent Director of the Board of Directors of JSC "GTS"
Diana Bakbergenova, Member of NGO "TechnoWoman", PR & Media Producer, Founder of the platform artgala.kz
Alexandra Shin, Member of NGO "TechnoWoman", Development Director of SMS-Consult, Co-founder of No Code Solutions
Alina Abdrakhmanova, Member of the NGO "TechnoWoman", founder of the international business institute YASSA, member of the National Commission on Women's Affairs and Family and Demographic Policy under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan
Marina Bukanova: CEO, founder of Asia-Soft. Director, business trainer, coach of the Chamberlain Education Center for Business Training with Horses. Licensed partner and official representative of HorseDream GMBH in Kazakhstan.
Moderator: Anna Osipova, Leader of the NGO "TechnoWoman", co-founder of the "Community of Business Founders in Outsourcing", lecturer and jury member of the business incubator NURIS Nazarabayev University
Description: The purpose of the session is to raise awareness among women in Kazakhstan about trends in the digital world, digital security and digital hygiene. It is also planned to discuss methods for preventing digital violence and the use of tools to protect against online threats (cyberbullying, online stalking, online blackmail, phishing, data leakage, etc.).
Speakers:
Amangeldy Zhukenov, Deputy Chairman of the Information Security Committee of the Ministry of Digital Development, Innovations and Aerospace Industry of the Republic of Kazakhstan
Valery Zubanov, Managing Director of Kaspersky Lab in Kazakhstan, Central Asia and Mongolia
Moderator: Vahan Hovsepyan, Senior Community and Public Policy Officer
Description: The security, stability and resilience of the Internet should be a key concern for all stakeholders in the Internet governance system. As a universal global resource, the Internet must be a secure, stable, resilient, reliable and trustworthy network. Resilience and security of digital infrastructure means the ability to resist external threats such as cyber-attacks, natural disasters, technical failures, etc.
Speakers:
Roman Reimer, Human rights activist, co-founder of the public foundation "Erkindik kanaty"
Anastasia Zhirmont, Policy Manager (Eastern Europe & Central Asia) Access Now (online)
Moldir Utegenova, Project manager at the International Center for Journalism "MediaNet"
Elizaveta Yachmeneva, Coordinator of regional communities, Open Observatory Network Interference OONI (online)
Moderator: Elzhan Kabyshev, Founder of the public foundation “Digital Paradigm”, head of legal practice “Eurasian Digital Foundation”
Description: This session will bring together experts from a coalition of human rights organizations fighting against internet shutdowns, as well as representatives of the Open Observatory of Network Interference (OONI), which prepared a report on content filtering and internet blocking in Kazakhstan. Participants will discuss the current digital landscape of the country, issues of responsibility for internet shutdowns, and the impact of these practices on digital rights and freedoms. We will consider what lessons have been learned from past events and how to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future, as well as discuss technical and legal mechanisms that are used to restrict access to the internet and online content in Kazakhstan.
Speakers:
Anna Melnikova, Head of the technology news online-media BlueScreen.kz
Mikhail Komissarov, Director of the RSE "Center for Analysis and Information" of the Ministry of Culture and Information of the Republic of Kazakhstan
Serikzhan Mauletbay, CEO, founder and editor-in-chief of the socio-political business publication BES.media
Askhat Niyazov, Journalist, author of the YouTube channel "Obozhayu"
Moderator: Gulmira Birzhanova, Co-founder of the Public Foundation "Legal Media Center"
Description: The issue of the legal status of bloggers has been relevant in Kazakhstan for many years. Before the adoption of the new law on mass media, Internet resources were equated to the media. What did the Law on Mass Media change in this regard? And what does the law on online platforms and online advertising regulate? New grounds for monitoring online platforms and whether it is possible to put an equal sign between bloggers and journalists in a legal context - we will discuss all these issues in this session.
Lunch
Speakers:
Bolat Sadykulov, Managing Partner of DAR Group of Companies
Erlan Smailov, Head of the State Policy Department of the Committee on Artificial Intelligence and Innovation Development of the Ministry of Digital Development, Innovations and Aerospace Industry of the Republic of Kazakhstan
Dmitry Shaposhnikov, Head of Data Protection Department and DPO at Freedom Holding Corp, CISSP, SSCP
Baurzhan Rakhmetov, Assistant Professor of International Relations, Maqsut Narikbayev University, PhD
Ruslan Daiyrbekov, Founder of the Eurasian Digital Foundation, Managing Partner of the DRCQ Law Firm
Description: The second panel session will bring together leading experts and industry representatives to discuss current issues in the development and implementation of legal mechanisms for regulating artificial intelligence. Participants will consider the key challenges facing Kazakhstan in the context of global trends and discuss possible approaches to creating responsible and ethical AI regulation that will promote innovation while protecting the rights of citizens. The focus will be on international standards, the experience of other countries, and the prospects for adapting these mechanisms into the national legal system.
Speakers:
Ekaterina Smyshlyaeva, Member of the Mazhilis of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan
Pavel Kazantsev, Member of the Mazhilis of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan
Nikolay Dmitrik, Candidate of Legal Sciences, independent expert
Moderator: Erzhan Suleimenov, Independent Medical Consultant
Description: The Secretariat of the Global Forum on Internet Governance seeks to strengthen the participation of parliamentarians in discussions of the most pressing issues related to the use, development and governance of the Internet. For this purpose, a recommendation was given to hold a session "Parliamentary Initiative" including at the national and regional levels for a substantive discussion of national initiatives affecting the Internet and new technologies in the country. This year, the "Parliamentary Initiative" will be held for the first time within the framework of Qazaqstan IGF.
Speakers:
Dana Utegen, Teaching Professor Maqsut Narikbayev University, Coordinator of CyberLaw School Qazaqstan
Madina Esirkepova, PhD and Dean of the School of Politics and Law at AlmaU University
Elvira Omurchieva, Vice-Rector for Strategic Development, International Relations and Commercialization of Kunaev University
Yerzhan Bimoldanov, Deputy Head of the Almaty Academy of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan named after M. Esbulatov, Police Colonel
Aidos Sakenov, Director of the Academy of the Astana International Financial Center AIFCAcademy (online)
Moderator: Ermek Rustembek-uly, Head of the Digital Law Center
Description: The digital economy is based on the use of Internet technologies such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, the Internet of Things, BigData, etc. It represents a huge potential for development and innovation, but also requires new skills and competencies from students, workers and entrepreneurs. What professions will be in demand in the digital economy? How to train and retrain people to work in the digital environment? What resources and platforms will be used to train new generation specialists? The speakers of the session at Qazaqstan IGF will be able to answer these questions best of all.
Speakers:
Zhali Ualiev, Senior Expert, Financial Technologies Department, Astana Financial Services Authority (AFSA) (online)
Batyrbek Umarov, President of the "Association of Developers and Users of Blockchain Technologies BlockhainKZ"
Esengeldy Rakhimbekov, Managing Director of JSC "SkyBridge Invest"
Dias Turdiev, Head of Business Development, Global Ledger Kazakhstan
Moderator: Sarkis Darbinyan, General Counsel of the Eurasian Digital Foundation
Session Description: Crypto industry experts will talk about the opportunities and risks that cryptocurrencies and blockchain technologies pose for business, government and society. They will also touch on the development of the legal status of cryptocurrencies in Kazakhstan and the AIFC jurisdiction.
Speakers:
Alisher Tungushbaev, Head of Yandex Go Delivery service in Kazakhstan
Adilet Kulpeisov, Director of the Information Security Department, Freedom Bank
Ruslan Daiyrbekov, Founder of the Eurasian Digital Foundation, Managing Partner of the DRCQ Law Firm
Moderator: Erzhan Suleimenov, Independent Medical Consultant
Description: Digital Rating 2024 was compiled by experts from the law firm Digital Rights Center Qazaqstan (DRCQ) in collaboration with Ranking Digital Rights (RDR). This research project was launched by DRCQ to conduct an independent study aimed at assessing the policies and practices of selected companies in Kazakhstan in three sectors: E-commerce, FinTech and Telecom.
The study focuses on information disclosure in the context of relations with government agencies, compliance with digital human rights standards, as well as measures to ensure users' rights to freedom of information and privacy. Digital Rating 2024 will be publicly presented at Qazaqstan IGF, and the session will also feature an award ceremony for the assessed companies and their services in the categories of best company, best service and others.
Closing of the Forum. Closing Remarks.
For any inquiries, please contact us at: igf@igf.kz
For media inquiries: melyakov@igf.kz