Geneva, 29 September 2026 – Kazakhstan has made significant progress in the World Intellectual Property Organization’s (WIPO) Global Innovation Index (GII) 2026, rising by eight positions, from 81st to 73rd place among 139 economies worldwide. This marks Kazakhstan’s best performance in the past 10 years.At the regional level, Kazakhstan ranked 1st among Central Asian countries and 2nd among the 11 economies of Central and Southern Asia. Among the 35 upper-middle-income economies, Kazakhstan ranked 17th. The most notable improvement was recorded in innovation outputs. Kazakhstan’s ranking in the Innovation Output Sub-Index rose by 11 positions, from 84th to 73rd place, while its ranking in the Innovation Input Sub-Index improved from 75th to 73rd place.The GII 2026 results were presented at WIPO headquarters in Geneva as part of an advance presentation of the Index for Permanent Representatives of Member States.Kazakhstan’s improved ranking was preceded by systematic work at both the national and international levels. Throughout 2026, the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Kazakhstan in Geneva established direct engagement with WIPO on GII-related matters, focusing on specific indicators, the methodology used to calculate them, and the quality of the underlying data.At the initiative of the Permanent Mission, a dedicated online consultation was organized between WIPO experts and relevant government authorities of Kazakhstan. The discussion examined Kazakhstan’s indicators in detail, including data sources, missing and outdated statistics, as well as priority areas for further work. Following these consultations, the Permanent Mission prepared an analytical assessment of the GII containing specific recommendations, which was circulated to the relevant government bodies of Kazakhstan. Particular attention was given to the quality of international statistics and the timely and accurate reflection of Kazakhstan’s data.This work made it possible to shift Kazakhstan’s engagement with WIPO from the annual monitoring of its ranking to substantive work on specific indicators, data sources and the policy measures required to improve performance.Despite the progress achieved, further improvement remains possible in areas such as research and development expenditure, university-industry collaboration, venture capital, the development of innovation clusters, software, and scientific and technical publications.The Permanent Mission will continue its engagement with WIPO on individual GII indicators and methodology. The next objective will be to consolidate the progress achieved and further improve Kazakhstan’s position through systematic work by government authorities on the Index’s key indicators.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mfa-wto/press/news/details/1301394?lang=ru

Dushanbe, 29 September 2026 – Kazakhstan announced a new initiative aimed at advancing digital skills and strengthening human capital in African countries. The initiative was unveiled during the ITU Regional Forum for CIS countries, taking place in Dushanbe on 29–30 September.Under the initiative, Kazakhstan will provide 100 free training places in digital technologies, programming and artificial intelligence for participants from African countries. Particular attention will be given to expanding opportunities for talented young people from least developed countries and landlocked developing countries.The initiative will be implemented with the support of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and in close cooperation with the ITU Telecommunication Development Bureau (BDT). The Bureau will facilitate the coordination of outreach and participant selection in cooperation with Kazakhstan’s education and training providers.Kazakhstan has developed a dynamic digital ecosystem bringing together the alem.ai International Center for Artificial Intelligence, Astana Hub, and a range of educational initiatives in the field of information technology. These include the Tech Orda programme and Tomorrow School, a school of programming and artificial intelligence based on a peer-to-peer learning model.By extending these educational opportunities to African countries, Kazakhstan aims to share its accumulated experience and contribute to the development of digital competencies beyond its region.The initiative is intended to support the objectives of the Partner2Connect Digital Coalition, advance South-South cooperation, and contribute to ITU’s efforts to bridge the global digital divide.Kazakhstan continues to strengthen its cooperation with ITU in the areas of digital transformation, artificial intelligence, innovation ecosystem development and human capital. The new initiative represents a practical contribution by Kazakhstan to expanding access to modern digital skills and creating new opportunities for young people.Background: The ITU Regional Forum for CIS countries is being held in Dushanbe on 29–30 September 2026, bringing together representatives of countries from the region, ITU and other stakeholders to discuss digital development priorities and regional cooperation.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mfa-wto/press/news/details/1301397?lang=ru

 On October 2-3, 2026, the International Center for Interfaith and Interreligious Dialogue will host the II Joint Colloquium between the Holy See’s Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue and the International Center in Astana. The main theme of the Colloquium will be the protection of the rights and dignity of vulnerable children. The Colloquium will continue the dialogue between Kazakhstan and the Holy See, which began in April 2024 with the first joint meeting held during the visit of the Head of the Secretariat of the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions to the Vatican. The Colloquium will convene official representatives of Kazakhstan and the Holy See, religious leaders, specialists in the fields of pediatrics, bioethics and theology, representatives of international organizations, as well as members of the expert community. The event will be co-chaired by the Head of the Secretariat of the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions and Cardinal George Jacob Koovakad, Prefect of the Holy See’s Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue. The program will focus on three key areas: the ethical foundations of child care and interfaith solidarity; the protection of children’s rights and dignity in the context of illness; and the development of medical, scientific and institutional cooperation. The potential of artificial intelligence in pediatrics and the ethical principles governing its use will also be given special attention. The Charter of the rights of the Incurable Child, based on the principles of respect for human dignity, comprehensive care for the child, and support for the family, will serve as a key reference point for discussions. The Kazakh side will also highlight the «Zhusan» humanitarian operation an example of practical support for children in difficult circumstances. Date: October 2–3, 2026Venue: National Museum of the Republic of Kazakhstan, 1st floorStart time: 10:30 a.m.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mfa-rabat/press/news/details/1301390?lang=ru

The Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan in the Slovak Republic hosted an educational meeting for students of the private primary school “Škola Neškola” in Bratislava. The event provided Slovak schoolchildren with an opportunity to learn more about the rich history, culture and traditions of Kazakhstan, with particular emphasis on the era of the Golden Horde.The meeting offered the students a unique opportunity to explore Kazakhstan not only as a modern state situated at the heart of Eurasia, but also in the context of its historical connection to the Golden Horde. The Embassy representatives spoke about the formation of the foundations of one of the largest states in medieval Eurasia across the Great Steppe and its historical significance for the development of Kazakh statehood.Particular attention was given to the evolution of traditions of governance, military art and the cultural heritage of the Ulus of Jochi, and their subsequent reflection in the institutions of the Kazakh Khanate and the values of modern independent Kazakhstan. The students were also introduced to the enduring legacy of the period, including the traditions of steppe diplomacy, extensive trade along the Silk Road and religious tolerance, and their relevance to Kazakhstan’s contemporary foreign and domestic policies.The programme also offered students an opportunity to explore the heritage of the nomadic peoples:- Nomadic culture and way of life: the students learned about the structure of the yurt, the symbolism of traditional national attire and the ancient crafts of steppe artisans;- Cultural exchange: each student received a collection of Kazakh folk tales translated into Slovak and published by the Embassy of Kazakhstan;- Gastronomic traditions: the meeting concluded with an opportunity for the guests to taste traditional Kazakh delicacies rooted in the heritage of the great nomadic empires.The presentation on modern Kazakhstan highlighted how the country preserves and promotes its historical heritage while advancing a high-tech economy and pursuing open and constructive international cooperation.The Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan expresses its sincere gratitude to the students and teachers of the school for their keen interest in the history of the Great Steppe and for their contribution to strengthening cultural ties between Kazakhstan and Slovakia.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mfa-bratislava/press/news/details/1301392?lang=ru

On 26-27 September, Consul General of the Republic of Kazakhstan in Samarkand Talgat Sharipov took part in the closing events of the 46th World Chess Olympiad held in Samarkand.During the events, the Consul General congratulated the Kazakhstan women’s and men’s national teams on the conclusion of the Olympiad, highlighting the high level of preparation, professionalism and determination demonstrated by the Kazakh chess players. Special appreciation was extended to the athletes, coaches and all representatives of the Kazakh chess community who contributed to the teams’ strong performance on the international stage.The Kazakhstan women’s national team won the silver medal, finishing in second place overall at the Olympiad. This result demonstrated the high level of chess development in Kazakhstan and represented a significant achievement for Kazakh sport. The Kazakhstan men’s national team also delivered a strong performance, finishing in 25th place with 15 team points.Talgat Sharipov emphasized that the achievements of Kazakh chess players are significant not only for Kazakhstan but also for the entire Central Asian region. The athletes’ strong results contribute to strengthening the region’s international standing and demonstrate its growing potential in the development of chess. In this regard, the hosting of the 46th World Chess Olympiad in Samarkand was an important event for promoting chess and strengthening humanitarian ties among the countries of Central Asia.The Consul General also congratulated Timur Turlov on his election as President of the International Chess Federation (FIDE). He noted that the election of a representative of Kazakhstan to head the world’s largest international chess organization was a landmark event for Kazakh sport and reflected the growing international recognition of Kazakhstan’s achievements in chess.Timur Turlov became the eighth President of FIDE and the first representative of Kazakhstan to lead the international chess organization. Talgat Sharipov expressed confidence that his election would contribute to the further development of the chess movement, the expansion of international cooperation and the strengthening of Central Asia’s role in the global chess community.The 46th World Chess Olympiad, organized under the auspices of FIDE, was held from 15 to 27 September 2026 in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. The Olympiad was historic as it was held in Central Asia for the first time. Hundreds of teams took part in the competition, with medals contested in the Open and Women’s sections.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mfa-samarkand/press/news/details/1301380?lang=ru