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ABOUT THE FORUM
The international forum «Corporate Governance Forum 2026» is aimed at developing and promoting best corporate governance practices, improving the effectiveness of boards of directors and implementing international standards in Kazakhstan.

The purpose of the event is to create a professional platform for an open exchange of experience and opinions between representatives of government agencies, national companies, private business and independent directors.

During the plenary and parallel panel sessions, participants will discuss key trends and challenges in corporate governance, the transformation of the role of independent directors, ethics and compliance issues, as well as practical aspects of implementing artificial intelligence and digitalization (AI Governance).
The organizers of the forum
Forum program
November 20, 2026 • Sheraton Astana
08:30–09:30
08:30–09:30
REGISTRATION AND WELCOME COFFEE
Ballroom
Registration of participants · International guests · Networking of chairmen and members of the board of directors · General Partner Area
09:30–09:45
09:30–09:45
OFFICIAL OPENING
Ballroom
Moderators: Madiyar Orynbayev and Dina Urastaeva
  • Serik Zhumangarin – Deputy Prime Minister – Minister of National Economy of the Republic of Kazakhstan (TBC)
  • Kanat Sharlapaev – Chairman of the Presidium of the National Chamber of Entrepreneurs of the Republic of Kazakhstan “Atameken”
  • Madina Abylkassymova - Chairperson of the Agency for Regulation and Development of Financial Market of the Republic of Kazakhstan
09:45–10:10
09:45–10:10
KEYNOTE PRESENTATIONS
Ballroom
Global Trends in Corporate Governance
  • Dr. Roger Barker – Head of Research and Analytics, Center for Governance under the Sovereign Wealth Fund of Saudi Arabia

Corporate Governance in the Regions of Kazakhstan
  • Kanat Sharlapaev – Chairman of the Presidium of the National Chamber of Entrepreneurs of the Republic of Kazakhstan “Atameken”
Overview of Corporate Governance Practices – Preliminary Results and Further Research (NCCG Atameken and KPMG)
  • Gabit Musrepov – Partner, KPMG Caucasus and Central Asia, Head of ESG and Corporate Governance Practice, Member of NCCG Atameken NCE
10:10–11:25
10:10–11:25
PLENARY SESSION 1
Ballroom
"Corporate Governance and Economic Development: Global Context and Realities of Kazakhstan".
Moderator: Janat Berdalina – Independent Director of Solidcore Resources plc., Member of NCCG Atameken NCE
Speakers:
  • Serik Zhumangarin - Deputy Prime Minister – Minister of National Economy of the Republic of Kazakhstan (TBC)
  • Kanat Nurov – Commissioner for the Protection of Entrepreneurs’ Rights under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan
  • Zafar Khashimov – IFC Country Manager for Kazakhstan
  • Ulf Vokurka – Independent Director of NC JSC “Kazakhstan Temir Zholy”, Member of NCCG Atameken NCE
  • Anvar Saidenov – Independent Director of JSC “Development Bank of Kazakhstan” and JSC “Bank CenterCredit”, Member of NCCG Atameken NCE
11:25–11:50
11:25–11:50
AWARD CEREMONY
Ballroom
Outstanding Contributions to: Corporate Governance in State – Owned & Private Companies I Regions I Independent Directors I Corporate Secretaries I Internal Audit I Compliance I Risk Management
11:50–12:15
11:50–12:15
COFFEE BREAK
12:15–13:30
12:15–13:30
PLENARY SESSION 2
Ballroom
"The State as a Professional Owner: From Administrative Control to an Effective Board of Directors".
Moderator: Aigul Djailaubekova – Independent Director of Industrial Development Fund JSC and Agrarian Credit Corporation JSC, Chair of the QID Ten Quat Gender Equality Committee
Speakers:
  • Arman Kassenov – Vice-Minister of National Economy of the Republic of Kazakhstan
  • Nurmakhan Adilbekov – Chairman of the State Property and Privatization Committee of the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Kazakhstan
  • Bolat Zhamishev – Independent Director of JSC “Samruk-Kazyna”; Independent Director – Chairman of the Board of Directors of JSC “Bank RBK”
  • Nina Chitaia – Policy Analyst at OECD
  • Marat Elibayev - Chair of the Management Board of JSC "Development Bank of Kazakhstan", Chairman of the Board of Directors of JSC "Industrial Development Fund"
13:30–14:30
13:30–14:30
LUNCH
PARALLEL BLOCK I
14:30–15:50
01 · BOARDS OF DIRECTORS
01 · BOARDS OF DIRECTORS
THE ROUND TABLE "Quality of Decisions: What makes a Strong Board?"
Ballroom · 3rd floor · Block 1
  • Moderator: Askar Yelemessov – Independent Director of KASE, JSC "DBK"
  • Zhaksybek Kulekeyev – Independent Director of JSC "Halyk Bank of Kazakhstan"
  • Erlan Ospanov – co-owner of Sary-Arka International Airport (Karaganda), founder of Jardin and Joy Gardens
  • Madina Korganbayeva — Independent Director, Chair of the Audit Committee, JSC “Qazcontent”
  • Business Representative (TBC)

RESULT: Checklist of the quality of decisions of the Board of Directors• clarity of the issue; • completeness of information; • availability of alternatives; • risk analysis; • conflict of interest; • dissenting opinions; • deadlines; • responsible executive; • follow-up control.
02 · INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION
02 · INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION
"Corporate Governance in Eurasia: Different Trajectories, Practical Lessons and Space for Cooperation"
Samruk Hall · 3rd floor
Moderator: Gabit Musrepov – Partner, KPMG Caucasus and Central Asia, Head of ESG and Corporate Governance Practice, Member of NCCG Atameken NCE
  • Seitek Dushenaliyev – President of the Chamber of Independent Directors of the Kyrgyz Republic
  • Saida Djarbolova – Independent Director of AFSA, Steppe Cement Ltd, Alatau City Bank (Kazakhstan), SQB Insurance (Uzbekistan)
  • Zhardem Kurmangaziyev – Executive Director, Central Asian Association of Corporate Secretaries (CAACS) Public Foundation, Member of NCCG Atameken NCE
  • Kabir Jurazoda – Executive Director, Institute of Directors and Corporate Governance, Tajikistan
  • Sukhrob Kurbonov – Member of the Supervisory Boards of Alif Bank (Tajikistan) and Orient Finans Bank (Uzbekistan), and Chairman of the Board of the Institute of Internal Auditors of Uzbekistan

RESULT: Regional Governance Cooperation Agenda 2027. Identification of 3-4 practical areas of cooperation between professional institutions and associations of the countries of the region.
03 · CORPORATE GOVERNANCE FOR BUSINESS
03 · CORPORATE GOVERNANCE FOR BUSINESS
"From Business to Company: How to Build a Professional Board of Directors"
Yesil Hall · 3rd floor
Moderator: Urastaeva Dina – Chairman of the Board of Directors of JSC NARI QazInnovations, member of the Management Committee of ACF Astana Hub, member of the Committee of Independent Directors of the NSCU at the Atameken NPP, co-founder of Corporate Governance Hub LLP
  • Gibrat Auganov – Managing Director for Corporate Governance, Social and Labour Relations and Occupational Health and Safety, JSC “Samruk-Kazyna”, Member of NCCG Atameken NCE
  • Justin Robertson – Head of Nominee Director Board Practice at EBRD
  • Raushan Raiskhanova – Independent Director of NAO Talap, author of the Good Governance certification program, founder of Academia369
  • Kanat Kobessov – Chairman of Supervisory Board NurZholCompany, Chairman of the Board Directors of the National Association of Exporters “Grain Exporters Union KazGrain”
  • Business Representative (TBC)

RESULT: Participants will gain a practical understanding of when a business needs a Professional Board of Directors, what competencies should be represented on the Board, and how to build an effective Board. They will see how corporate governance can reduce the company's dependence on its owner, support business scaling, strengthen resilience, and enhance investment attractiveness.
04 · MASTER CLASS
04 · MASTER CLASS
"Ethics in Corporate Governance: Responsibility, Trust and Complex Decisions"
Ballroom · 3rd floor · Block 2
  • Janat Berdalina – Independent Director of Solidcore Resources plc., Member of NCCG Atameken NCE
  • Tchedaeva Tania – Executive Vice President for Compliance and Corporate Governance at Solidcore Resources plc.
15:50–16:20
15:50–16:20
COFFEE BREAK
PARALLEL BLOCK II
16:20–17:40
05 · INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS
05 · INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS
"Independent Director 2.0: Competence, Independence and Professional Courage"
Ballroom · 3rd floor
Moderator: Ulf Vokurka – Member of the Board of Directors – Independent Director of NC JSC “Kazakhstan Temir Zholy”, Member of NCCG Atameken NCE
  • Alikhan Baidussenov – Chairman of the Supervisory Board of the Qazaq Independent Directors Association, Independent Director, Member of NCCG Atameken NCE
  • Nurlan Akhanzaripov – Senior Independent Director of KEGOC, Independent Director of JSC “KazTransOil” and JSC “QazaqGas”, Member of NCCG Atameken NCE
  • Azamat Dzholdasbekov – Independent Director of JSC “Central Securities Depository” and JSC “Halyk Finance”, Member of NCCG Atameken NCE
  • Arman Berdalin – Senior Partner, Sayat Zholshy & Partners, Member of NCCG Atameken NCE
  • Elena Bakhmutova – Chairperson of the Council of the Association of Financiers of Kazakhstan, Independent Director of JSC “Altyn Bank”, Member of NCCG Atameken NCE

RESULT: "Profile of an Independent Director of Kazakhstan – 2030" competencies; independence requirement; ethical standards; limits on the number of mandates; training requirements; annual evaluation criteria.
06 · REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT
06 · REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Corporate Governance in the Regions of the Republic of Kazakhstan: Realities, Challenges, Solutions
Samruk Hall · 3rd floor
Moderator: Kambar Omarov – Chairman of the National Council for Corporate Governance under the Presidium of Atameken NCE, Independent Director – Chairman of the Board of Directors of NJSC “Government for Citizens” State Corporation
  • Nurmakhan Adilbekov – Chairman of the State Property and Privatization Committee of the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Kazakhstan
  • Aslan Kaligazin – Deputy Chairman of the Management Board of the National Chamber of Entrepreneurs of the Republic of Kazakhstan “Atameken”
  • Abay Sarkulov – Independent Director/Chair of JSC "Social and Entrepreneurial Corporation "Aktobe"
  • Murat Jakibayev – Chairman of the Regional Council of the West Kazakhstan Regional Chamber of Entrepreneurs “Atameken”
  • Deputy Akim of Astana (TBC)

RESULT: To identify the key barriers to the development of corporate governance in the regions and to develop practical solutions to strengthen the role of boards of directors, independent directors and the responsibility of the owner for the efficiency of regional companies.
07 · RISKS, AUDIT AND COMPLIANCE
07 · RISKS, AUDIT AND COMPLIANCE
"What does the Board of Directors Not Know About the Company's Risks?"
Yesil Hall · 3rd floor
Moderator: Dauren Akshalov – Chairman of the Supervisory Board of the Association of Compliance and Business Ethics, Independent Director, Member of NCCG Atameken NCE
  • Gulzhan Bekmagambetova – Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Qazaqstan Risk Managers’ Association, Independent Director, Member of NCCG Atameken NCE
  • Alexander Hirt – Operations Strategy Manager, Mercedes-Benz United States International Inc.
  • Evgeny Pitolin – Expert in cyber-risks
  • Aray Serikzhanova – CEO, Chapter Zero Kazakhstan

RESULT: "10 Principles for the Board of Directors to Obtain Objective Information about Risks" / Board Risk Truth Protocol • minimum rules that allow a material risk to reach the Board of Directors in a timely manner.

FORMAT: Case study
08 · MASTER CLASS
08 · MASTER CLASS
AI Governance
Ballroom · 3rd floor · Block 2
  • McKinsey&Company (TBC)
  • Baizhan Kanafin – Founder&CEO at Documentolog
19:30–23:55
19:30–23:55
Black Tie Event
Guest of Honour: Erkesh Shakeyev, Honoured Worker of the Republic of Kazakhstan, accompanied by the TARSI Orchestra
As it was in previous years
Forum Speakers
  • Serik Zhumangarin
    Deputy Prime Minister – Minister of National Economy of the Republic of Kazakhstan (TBC)
  • Madina Abylkassymova
    Chairperson of the Agency for Regulation and Development of Financial Market of the Republic of Kazakhstan
  • Kanat Sharlapaev
    Chairman of the Presidium of the National Chamber of Entrepreneurs of the Republic of Kazakhstan “Atameken”
  • Janat Berdalina
    Independent Director of Solidcore Resources plc., Member of NCCG Atameken NCE
  • Dr. Roger Barker
    Head of Research and Analytics, Center for Governance under the Sovereign Wealth Fund of Saudi Arabia
  • Elena Bakhmutova
    Chairperson of the Council of the Association of Financiers of Kazakhstan, Independent Director of JSC “Altyn Bank”, Member ofNCCG Atameken NCE
  • Zhaksybek Kulekeyev
    Independent Director of JSC "Halyk Bank of Kazakhstan"
  • Tchedaeva Tania
    Executive Vice President for Compliance and Corporate Governance at
    Solidcore Resources plc.
  • Bolat Zhamishev
    Independent Director of JSC “Samruk-Kazyna”; Independent Director – Chairman of the Board of Directors of JSC “Bank RBK”
  • Aigul Djailaubekova
    Independent Director of Industrial Development Fund JSC and Agrarian Credit Corporation JSC, Chair of the QID Ten Quat Gender Equality Committee
  • Kanat Nurov
    Commissioner for the Protection of Entrepreneurs’ Rights under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan
  • Saida Djarbolova
    Independent Director of AFSA, Steppe Cement Ltd, Alatau City Bank (Kazakhstan), SQB Insurance (Uzbekistan)
  • Kambar Omarov
    Chairman of the National Council for Corporate Governance under the Presidium of Atameken NCE, Independent Director – Chairman of the Board of Directors of NJSC “Government for Citizens” State Corporation
  • Urastaeva Dina
    Chairman of the Board of Directors of JSC NARI QazInnovations, member of the Management Committee of ACF Astana Hub, member of the Committee of Independent Directors of the NSCU at the Atameken NPP, co-founder of Corporate Governance Hub LLP
  • Zafar Khashimov
    IFC Country Manager for Kazakhstan
  • Askar Yelemessov
    Independent Director of KASE, JSC "DBK"
  • Anvar Saidenov
    Independent Director of JSC “Development Bank of Kazakhstan” and JSC “Bank CenterCredit”, Member of NCCG Atameken NCE
  • Gibrat Auganov
    Managing Director for Corporate Governance, Social and Labour Relations and Occupational Health and Safety, JSC “Samruk-Kazyna”, Member of NCCG Atameken NCE
  • Azamat Dzholdasbekov
    Independent Director of JSC “Central Securities Depository” and JSC “Halyk Finance”, Member of NCCG Atameken NCE
  • Aslan Kaligazin
    Deputy Chairman of the Management Board of the National Chamber of Entrepreneurs of the Republic of Kazakhstan “Atameken”
  • Gabit Musrepov
    Partner, KPMG Caucasus and Central Asia, Head of ESG and Corporate Governance Practice, Member of NCCG Atameken NCE
  • Erlan Ospanov
    co-owner of Sary-Arka International Airport (Karaganda), founder of Jardin and Joy Gardens
  • Ulf Vokurka
    Member of the Board of Directors – Independent Director of NC JSC “Kazakhstan Temir Zholy”, Member of NCCG Atameken NCE
  • Seitek Dushenaliyev
    President of the Chamber of Independent Directors of the Kyrgyz Republic
  • Kabir Jurazoda
    Executive Director, Institute of Directors and Corporate Governance, Tajikistan 
  • Nurlan Akhanzaripov
    Senior Independent Director of KEGOC, Independent Director of JSC “KazTransOil” and JSC “QazaqGas”, Member of NCCG Atameken NCE
  • Alikhan Baidussenov
    Chairman of the Supervisory Board of the Qazaq Independent Directors Association, Independent Director, Member of NCCG Atameken NCE
  • Zhardem Kurmangaziyev
    Executive Director, Central Asian Association of Corporate Secretaries (CAACS) Public Foundation, Member of NCCG Atameken NCE
  • Dauren Akshalov
    Chairman of the Supervisory Board of the Association of Compliance and Business Ethics, Independent Director, Member of NCCG Atameken NCE
  • Alexander Hirt
    Operations Strategy Manager, Mercedes-Benz United States International Inc.
  • Arman Berdalin
    Senior Partner, Sayat Zholshy & Partners, Member of NCCG Atameken NCE
  • Sukhrob Kurbonov
    Member of the Supervisory Boards of Alif Bank (Tajikistan) and Orient Finans Bank (Uzbekistan), and Chairman of the Board of the Institute of Internal Auditors of Uzbekistan
  • Evgeny Pitolin
    Expert in cyber-risks
  • Raushan Raiskhanova
    Founder Academia 369
  • Abay Sarkulov
    Independent Director/Chair of JSC "Social and Entrepreneurial Corporation "Aktobe" 
  • Gulzhan Bekmagambetova
    Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Qazaqstan Risk Managers’ Association, Independent Director, Member of NCCG Atameken NCE
  • Aray Serikzhanova
    CEO, Chapter Zero Kazakhstan
  • Madina Korganbayeva
    Independent Director, Chair of the Audit Committee, JSC “Qazcontent”
    Business Representative
  • Madiyar Orynbayev
    Corporate Secretary of the L.N.Gumilyov Eurasian National University
  • Nurmakhan Adilbekov
    Chairman of the State Property and Privatization Committee of the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Kazakhstan
  • Justin Robertson
    Head of Nominee Director Board Practice at EBRD
  • Baizhan Kanafin
    Founder&CEO at Documentolog
  • Arman Kassenov
    Vice-Minister of National Economy of the Republic of Kazakhstan 
  • Kanat Kobessov
    Chairman of Supervisory BoardNurZholCompany, Chairman of the Board Directors of the National Association of Exporters “Grain Exporters Union KazGrain”
  • Marat Elibayev
    Chairman of Development Bank of Kazakhstan JSC, Chairman of the Board of Directors Industrial Development Fund JSC
  • Nina Chitaia
    Policy Analyst at OECD
Our partners
Information partners
Contacts
📍 Location of the event:
Sheraton Astana · 60/1 Syganak St.

📧 Email: info@cgf.kz

📞 Phone / WhatsApp:
+77054026169 Marat
+77079204302 Yelshat

🌐 Organizers:
NSCU at the NCE "Atameken" · LLP "Center of Competencies" NPP "Atameken" · Association "Qazaq Independent Directors", Association of Compliance and Business Ethics of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Central Asian Association of Corporate Secretaries, Institute of Internal Auditors of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Association of Risk Managers of the Republic of Kazakhstan · LLP "Corporate Governance Hub"

🕓 Date of the event:
November 20, 2026
Made on
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