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 UN Global Communications Department in Kazakhstan
- Sam Fontela, Political Officer, U.S. Consulate in Almaty
- Sarkis Darbinyan, General Advisor, Eurasian Digital Foundation
Panel Session: Multistakeholder Internet Governance as a Way of Sustainable Development Goals Implementation (Space Hall)
Description: The issue of access to the open and free Internet is gaining importance in the unstable geopolitical environment. New rules are being created to regulate the online space, 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 the context of continuous digital interaction. Only balanced Internet governance that takes into account the interests of all stakeholders can create favorable conditions for the development of the digital economy and innovations, while not restricting but guaranteeing digital human rights in Kazakhstan.
Speakers:
- Vlastimil Samek, Representative of the UN Global Communications Department in Kazakhstan
- Denis Stepantsov, Digital Kazakhstan Association Chairman
- Mikhail Anissimov, ICANN Global Engagement Manager for Eastern Europe and Central Asia
- Ruslan Daiyrbekov, Chairman of the Eurasian Digital Foundation
Moderator: Sarkis Darbinyan, General Advisor, Eurasian Digital Foundation
Coffee break
Free Speech in the Age of Algorithms and AI (Freedom Hall)
Speakers:
- Julia Haas, Media Freedom Officer, OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media
- Alexander Tyulkanov, Associate Researcher, Center for International Intellectual Property Studies, University of Strasbourg (online)
- Baurzhan Rakhmetov, Assistant Professor of International Relations, Maqsut Narikbayev University, PhD
- Pavel Bannikov, Journalist, Ex-editor of Factcheck.kz (Online)
Moderator: Sarkis Darbinyan, General Advisor, Eurasian Digital Foundation
Within the first national Internet governance forum in Qazaqstan, which brought together prominent representatives from the business sector, government, civil society, and the academic community, a significant event at the international level took place — the signing of a memorandum between the Information security Committee of the Ministry of digital development, innovation and aerospace industry of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the National Institute for Research & Development in Informatics from Romania side.
Representatives of the state of Romania were:
- Dr. Eng. Adrian-Victor Vevera, General Director ICI Bucharest
- Marius-Viorel Vrîncianu
- Alexandru Georgescu
Representatives of the National Institute for Research & Development in Informatics gave a detailed presentation about the Institute - ICI Bucharest Presentation. Additionally, during the forum, Dr. Eng. Adrian-Victor Vevera delivered a presentation on the topic "Cybersecurity in the Critical Energy Infrastructure Sector - European Perspectives."
Draft Law on Mass Media: Everything Everywhere All at Once (Amphitheater Hall)
Speakers:
- Igor Loskutov, Head of the Legal Department of Infotechservice LLP
- Anna Melnikova, Founder of BlueScreen.kz
- Alisher Mukazhan, Deputy Department of the State Media Policy of the Ministry of Culture and Information
- Jamilya Maricheva, Journalist, Producer, Protenge.kz Project Founder
Moderator: Gulmira Birzhanova, Co-Founder of the Legal Media Center Public Foundation
Session Description: The session is expected to focus on the Law "On Mass Media". Discussions on the amendments as well as work on the draft law in general. Dialogue between the journalistic community and representatives of the authorities. The impact of the law on the Internet media and the blogosphere. For example, the introduction of press cards for journalists and other issues.
Internet Accessibility during Disasters and Emergencies (Freedom Hall)
Speakers:
- Roman Reimer, Head of Yerkindik Qanaty Public Foundation
- Anastasia Zhirmont, Regional Public Relations Coordinator for Access Now in Eastern Europe and Central Asia (online)
- Diana Okremova, Legal Media Center Public Foundation
- Alyona Koshkina, Head of the Media Literacy Program at MediaNet International Journalism Center
Moderator: Yelzhan Kabyshev, Founder of the Digital Paradigm Public Foundation
Session Description: Shutdown means complete or partial Internet cutoff in certain regions or an entire country. A shutdown is imposed by the government on such grounds as emergency, political crises, social protests, etc. Yet, how does a shutdown affect the rights and freedoms of internet users? Can a shutdown be considered digital genocide, i.e. destruction of the human connection to digital life that is so inseparable today? What does the White List of websites mean and does it justify such a drastic measure as a shutdown? These questions will be addressed by the Speakers of the session.
Digital Rights Rating. Assessment of the Сompliance with Digital Rights of Kazakhstan Citizens by the Largest Online Platforms (Space Hall)
Speakers:
- Kaspi.kz
- Anvar Bakiyev, Co-founder and Chief Operating Officer, Chocofamily
- Mira Kuderinova, Managing Director, Kolesa Group in Kazakhstan
- Ruslan Daiyrbekov, Director, DRCQ Law Firm
Moderator: Yerzhan Suleimenov, Independent Media Consultant
Session Description: The assessment selected the leading and most popular Kazakhstani digital platforms: Kolesa Group with its Kolesa.kz and Krisha.kz services, Chocolife Family Holding, Kaspi.kz, Aitu super-application and Onay e-ticketing system. The research focuses on disclosure of information in the context of relations with government agencies and compliance with standards of protection of digital human rights. Digital Rating 2023 will be publicly presented at Qazaqstan IGF, and the session will also include an award ceremony for the companies rated and their services in such categories as "The best company", "The best service" and others.
Educating Digital Professionals for the Digital Economy (Amphitheater Hall)
Speakers:
- Sergey Pen, Provost (Rector) of Maqsut Narikbayev University
- Daulet Baideldinov, Dean of the Faculty of Law, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University.
- Alexandra Knysheva, Head of gameLab of KBTU, Lecturer of School of IT and Engineering of KBTU
- Yerzhan Bimoldanov, Deputy Head of the Almaty Academy named after M. Yesbulatov under the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Police Colonel
Moderator: Yermek Rustembek-uly, Head of the Digital Law Center
Session Description: Digital economy is based on the use of digital technologies such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, internet of things, BigData, etc. It offers great potential for development and innovation, but also requires new skills and competencies from students, workers and entrepreneurs. Which 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 utilized to train the next generation of professionals? These questions will be best answered by the Speakers of the Qazaqstan IGF session.
Lunch
Panel Session: National Regulation of Online Platforms in the Globalized Market (Space Hall)
Description: The issue of regulating online platforms in a globalized market is rather pressing and complicated. It requires a balance between stimulating innovation, protecting the rights and interests of all parties and taking into account the specifics of different countries and regions. Speakers of the panel session at Qazaqstan IGF will discuss these and other questions and try to come up with answers. What are the possibilities of national regulation? What aspects of regulation are unnecessary and harmful or, on the contrary, essential? And what will the introduction of the Law "About Online Platforms and Online Advertising" bring? These and other points will be covered at the second panel session of Qazaqstan IGF.
Speakers:
- Julia Haas, Media Freedom Officer, OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media
- Arman Abdrasilov
- Pavel Koktyshev, Entrepreneur and Venture Investor, Co-founder of MOST Holding
- Mikhail Komissarov, Director of Republican State Enterprise on the Right of Economic Use "Center of Analysis and Information" under the Ministry of Culture and Information
Moderator: Yerzhan Suleimenov, Independent Media Consultant
Digital Transformation of the Telecom Industry. Transition to the New 5G Generation and ways to overcome the digital divide (Freedom Hall)
Speakers:
- Yerlan Minavar, Deputy Chairman of the Management Board for Operator Business Development of Transtelecom JSC
- Daniyar Orynkhanovich, General Director of Level 2
Moderator: Nurbol Meirmanov, WISP Market Representative, Co-founder of Level 2
Session Description: Speakers of this Qazaqstan IGF session will reveal a whole range of hot issues directly related to the transformation of the telecom industry in Kazakhstan.
- Fixed wireless access;
- Use of unlicensed frequencies to provide Internet to hard-to-reach places in Kazakhstan;
- Implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals in the prism of telecom industry transformation.
Moreover, one of the key aspects of digital transformation of the telecom industry resides in the transition to the new generation of mobile communication, i.e. 5G. The fifth generation offers new horizons for the development of the Internet of Things, cloud services, mobile applications and other aspects of the digital economy.
Codification of Legislation. Risks and Benefits of the Digital Code (Space Hall)
Speakers:
- Aziza Shuzheyeva, President of Techno Women Non-Profit Organization, Founder of Digital Transformation Public Foundation
- Nikolay Dmitrik, Independent Expert
- Tattu Mambetalieva, Director, Civil Initiative on Internet Policy Public Foundation
- Ekaterina Smyshlyayeva, Deputy of the Majilis of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan
Moderator: Yermek Rustembek-uly, Head of the Digital Law Center
Session Description: This session will raise one of the most urgent and challenging issues related to the Internet regulation in Central Asia. It concerns the codification of digital legislation, i.e. the creation of a single normative legal act that would regulate all aspects of the digital sphere in our country. Is such "Digital Code" necessary in Kazakhstan? What advantages and risks does it bring? How can it affect rights and freedoms of Internet users in the countries of the region? Speakers of this session will share their expert opinion on this issue.
Fault Tolerance and Security of Digital Infrastructure as a Critical Factor of Digital Integration (Amphitheater Hall)
Speakers:
- Talgat Mustagulov, Deputy Chairman, Information Security Committee, Ministry of Digital Development, Innovations and Aerospace of the Republic of Kazakhstan
- Pavel Gusev, Head of KazNic Kazakh Network Information Center
- Denis Sukhachev, Head of hoster.kz
- Olzhas Satiev, Head of TSARKA
Moderator: Vahan Hovsepyan, External Relations Specialist, RIPE NCC
Session Description: Security, stability and fault-tolerance of the Internet should form the key objective of all stakeholders in the Internet governance system. As a universal global resource, the Internet must be a secure, stable, resilient, reliable and trusted network. Resilience and security of digital infrastructure means the ability to resist external threats such as cyberattacks, natural disasters, technical failures, etc.
Evolution of Cryptocurrencies and their Regulation (Freedom Hall)
Speakers:
- Yagub Zamanov, Director of Financial Technology Department, IFCA Financial Services Regulatory Committee
- Artur Sundetov, CEO of Block4, Blockchain Architect, Cryptographer
- Talgat Dosanov, Co-founder and CEO of Biteeu Eurasia Ltd, Executive Director of Eurasian Space Ventures
- Rustam Nabirov, Chief Operating Officer of ATAIX
Moderator: Batyrbek Umarov, President of Blockchain.kz Association
Session Description: Crypto-industry experts will talk about opportunities and risks that cryptocurrencies and blockchain technologies bring to business, government and society. They will also touch upon the legal status of cryptocurrencies in Kazakhstan.
Data Policy: Development and Regulation of the Data Market in the Republic of Kazakhstan (Amphitheater Hall)
Speakers:
- Dana Utegen, Deputy Director, Maqsut Narikbayev University Graduate School of Law
- Yelzhan Kabyshev, Director of Digital Paradigm Public Foundation
- Ekaterina Smyshlyaeva, Deputy of the Majilis of the Parliament
- Elena Sedykh, Founder of Dogovor24, Mentor at Founders Institute, Partner at VNTR capital
Moderator: Ruslan Daiyrbekov, Chairman of the Eurasian Digital Foundation
Session Description: The session will be attended by experts and representatives of the government, civil sector, business and academia, who will talk about the current state and prospects for the development of the data market in our country. You will learn about what data are collected, stored, processed and transferred in Kazakhstan as well as what rights and obligations data owners and users have and much more.
Wrap-up. Concluding Remarks. QIGF Party
For any inquiries, please contact us at: igf@igf.kz
For media inquiries: melyakov@igf.kz