ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE, INDUSTRIAL SAFETY AND THE INDUSTRY OF THE FUTURE: KIOSH, NDT QAZAQSTAN AND KTIF 2026 HAVE STARTED IN ASTANA

TODAY, APRIL 28, THE 14TH KAZAKHSTAN INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE AND EXHIBITION ON OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH CONFERENCE KIOSH 2026, AS WELL AS THE 5TH KAZAKHSTAN INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION “NON-DESTRUCTIVE TESTING AND TECHNICAL DIAGNOSTICS” NDT QAZAQSTAN 2026 AND THE KAZAKHSTAN TEXTILE INDUSTRY FORUM KTIF 2026 WERE OFFICIALLY OPENED.

The events are held from April 28 to 30 and traditionally serve as an important professional platform for exchanging experience, showcasing innovations, and developing business dialogue between representatives of government, business, and the expert community.

This year, the exhibition part of KIOSH 2026 brought together 92 companies from 9 countries, including Azerbaijan, Belgium, India, Kazakhstan, China, Latvia, Russia, Turkey, and Uzbekistan. A significant share is represented by domestic participants — 48 companies, highlighting strong interest in the development of the occupational safety and industrial safety market in Kazakhstan. Foreign businesses are represented by 44 companies, while 18 exhibitors are participating in the exhibition for the first time. This combination of experienced players and new participants creates a dynamic environment for professional cooperation and the implementation of advanced solutions.

The business program of the first day was rich and multifaceted. Within the exhibition, practical seminars, sessions, workshops, and master classes were held with the participation of industry experts, including representatives of the Republican Research Institute for Occupational Safety. Participating companies also presented their own training formats, sharing applied case studies and technological solutions. A special attention of visitors was drawn to a first aid master class on fainting and cardiac arrest, which became an important element of practical training for specialists.

KIOSH 2026 Conference

A special place in the program was occupied by the conference part of KIOSH 2026, which brought together 62 speakers from 8 countries, including Australia, Azerbaijan, Hungary, India, Kazakhstan, Lithuania, Russia, and Switzerland. On the very first day, a number of key sessions were held, setting the tone for the entire business agenda. The central event was the Strategic Plenary Session “Artificial Intelligence: How Kazakhstan is Shaping a New Safety Model” where the role of digital technologies in transforming occupational safety systems and the prospects for implementing intelligent solutions in risk management were discussed. Participants included Yerbol Tuyakbayev, First Vice Minister of Labor and Social Protection of the Population of the Republic of Kazakhstan; Zhumabek Zhanykulov, Chairman of the Presidium of the National Employers Confederation “Paryz”; Mukhtar Tinikeyev, First Deputy Chairman of the Federation of Trade Unions of the Republic of Kazakhstan; Bolat Akchulakov, Chairman of the KAZENERGY Association; Nikolai Radostovets, Executive Director of the Association of Mining and Metallurgical Enterprises; Darko Dochinski, Occupational Safety and Health Specialist at the ILO Bureau for Eastern Europe and Central Asia; Skender Sila, Head of the WHO Country Office in Kazakhstan; and Rustem Uvaliyev, Head of Digitalization at BTS (ERG).

In his welcoming speech, Y. Tuyakbayev noted: “Today’s conference is held within the Year of Digitalization and Artificial Intelligence in the country. April 28 is World Day for Safety and Health at Work. In this regard, the topic of our strategic session is dedicated to key areas of occupational safety, industrial safety, and digitalization of the sector. Last year, there was still a positive trend in reducing occupational injuries, but we fully understand that behind the numbers lie the lives of real people, which reminds us of the importance of continuous cooperation among all social partners. In Kazakhstan, we are actively integrating global challenges into national practice. We already have the Digital Enterprise Map and the Labor Risk Map in place. Digitalization of occupational safety is not just a technical task, but a strategic issue of human capital quality and national competitiveness. We have the necessary resource base in place and work closely with the Ministries of Health, Emergency Situations, Justice, Finance, and the General Prosecutor’s Office”.

The discussion continued with thematic panel sessions dedicated to current industry challenges: “Modern approaches and digital solutions in occupational risk management systems”, “AI and analytics for risk forecasting”, “Social insurance in the era of labor transformation: a new architecture of responsibility and the role of artificial intelligence” and “Industrial medicine: new regulatory requirements and implementation practices.” Experts presented real-life cases of digital tool implementation and outlined key directions for industry development in the context of rapid technological transformation. A separate expert session titled “Safe and Healthy Work in a Changing World: Global Trends, Digitalization, Social Dialogue” discussed international experience and approaches to building a sustainable safety culture, emphasizing the importance of integrating technology and human capital.

The first day demonstrated a high level of engagement from the professional community, the relevance of the topics raised, and the industry’s readiness to adopt innovative solutions. Tomorrow, the business program will continue with new sessions, discussions, and practical formats that will allow participants to deepen their professional knowledge, exchange experience, and develop effective approaches to ensuring safety and sustainable development.

State Partner — Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Population of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Strategic Partner — Republican Research Institute for Occupational Safety.

Gold Partners — Eurasian Group LLP, Global-Workwear, Global-Safety.

Silver Partners — Kazzinc LLP, KazMinerals Group.

Bronze Partners — UCO, Technoavia, IOSS.

Official support was provided by the Committee for Industrial Safety of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Atameken National Chamber of Entrepreneurs, Federation of Trade Unions of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Association of Mining and Metallurgical Enterprises (AGMP), Association of legal entities "Kazakhstan Association of organizations of the oil and gas and energy complex "KAZENERGY", National Confederation of Employers “PARYZ”, IOSH, ORP, PEROSH, National Association of Light Industry Enterprises “QazTextileIndustry”, Petro Mining.

KTIF 2026 Forum

The Kazakhstan Textile Industry Forum KTIF 2026 program was equally substantive. On the first day, a plenary session titled “State Support Measures for the Textile Industry in Kazakhstan” was held, where key industry incentives, financing mechanisms, and export development tools were discussed. The program continued with a trilateral dialogue “Human Resources for the Textile Industry” bringing together business representatives, educational institutions, and government bodies to discuss the training of a new generation of specialists. A special atmosphere was created by the fashion show of the Kazakhstani brand YANG LAIN, which organically complemented the business agenda and demonstrated the potential of the domestic fashion and manufacturing industry.

Official support was provided by the Ministry of Industry and Construction of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

NDT Qazaqstan 2026 Exhibition

Today also marked the opening of the NDT Qazaqstan 2026 exhibition, showcasing solutions in non-destructive testing and technical diagnostics. 8 companies from Kazakhstan, China, and Russia are participating, presenting technologies aimed at improving the reliability and safety of industrial facilities.

The main business program events are scheduled for tomorrow, April 29, and include the plenary session “Non-Destructive Testing as the Basis of Industrial Safety and Sustainable Development in Kazakhstan”, as well as specialized sessions “Diagnostics and Monitoring of Oil and Gas Facilities: Corrosion, Hydrogen Risks, Reliability” and “Materials and Structures Inspection: Concrete, Reinforcement, Welded Joints”, dedicated to key technical and technological aspects of the industry.

The platforms have brought together professionals from different countries, creating an effective environment for knowledge exchange, discussion of industry challenges, and search for practical solutions. From the very beginning, the events have confirmed their status as significant industry platforms reflecting key trends in industrial safety, technical diagnostics, and the textile industry. In the coming days, participants can expect further meaningful discussions and opportunities to strengthen business connections.

The exhibitions are organized by the Kazakhstan exhibition company Iteca in cooperation with its international partner — ICA Events Group.

The exhibitions will remain open until April 30 inclusive, welcoming industry professionals by prior registration on the event website.