13TH KAZAKHSTAN INTERNATIONAL OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH CONFERENCE AND EXHIBITION
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE AND EXHIBITION KIOSH 2025 KICKS OFF IN ASTANA: FOCUS ON OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND WORKING PROFESSIONS
Astana, May 28, 2025 – The 13th Kazakhstan International Occupational Safety and Industrial Safety Conference and Exhibition – KIOSH 2025 – has opened at the EXPO International Exhibition Center. The event is taking place from May 28 to 30 and brings together representatives of government bodies, businesses, international organizations, experts, and industry professionals on one platform.
In 2025, declared the Year of Working Professions in Kazakhstan, KIOSH holds special significance by emphasizing the priorities of safe labor, modern approaches to training, and the protection of those who work daily in industrial settings. The KIOSH platform has become a central venue for dialogue on the future of professions and working conditions in the country. In the context of the Year of Working Professions, it is especially important to build a systematic approach to protecting laborers – from legislative initiatives to practical tools and technologies showcased at the KIOSH exhibition.
The exhibition features 91 companies from 12 countries: Belarus, Belgium, the United Kingdom, Germany, India, Kazakhstan, China, Latvia, Pakistan, Russia, Romania, and Türkiye. Among them, 37 participants are taking part for the first time, showcasing a wide range of solutions — from innovative PPEs and digital monitoring platforms to training systems and workforce development tools.
The exhibition features two seminar zones: the Republican Research Institute for Occupational Safety under the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of Population of the Republic of Kazakhstan is conducting workshops, practical sessions, and master classes, while simultaneously, exhibiting companies and partners are presenting their own educational content.
Particular attention from visitors was drawn to the fashion show of modern workwear and the demonstration area for safe work at height, where life-saving technologies and skills were showcased live. The runway featuring samples of innovative uniforms became not only a visually striking element of the exhibition but also a reminder that comfort, ergonomics, and safety are key factors in specialist gear. At the same time, on an elevated platform, professional instructors demonstrated the proper use of safety harness systems, signal communication, and emergency response actions – clearly highlighting the importance of training and compliance with safety standards.
The KIOSH 2025 conference programme covers three days of intensive business communication and expert discussions. The central event of the first day was a strategic plenary session on the topic: “The future of occupational health and safety: strategies, trends and innovative solutions”. Speakers included: Yermek Kosherbayev – Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan; Svetlana Zhakupova – Minister of Labour and Social Protection of the Population of the Republic of Kazakhstan; Satybaldy Dauletalin – Chairman of the Federation of Trade Unions of the Republic of Kazakhstan; Zhumabek Zhanikulov – Chairman of the Presidium of the National Confederation of Employers of the Republic of Kazakhstan “PARYZ”, Gibrat Auganov – Managing Director of Samruk-Kazyna JSC, Rebecca Hickman – CEO of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA), United Kingdom, Darren Nichols – International expert on industrial safety, Australia, Slavik Sargsyan – Vice-President of the International Association of Labour Inspection, Rashid Dubayev – Chairman of the Industrial Safety Committee of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Chingiz Akhmetov – Head of Industrial Safety at the Directorate for Occupational Safety and Health of Eurasian Group LLP, Nikolay Radostovets – Executive Director of the Association of Mining and Metallurgical Enterprises, Bolat Akchulakov – Chairman of the KAZENERGY Association, Beibit Abdiakenov – Director of the Artificial Intelligence Research Centre, Astana IT University LLP.
In his welcome address, Yermek Kosherbayev emphasized that ensuring safe labor requires cooperation between government bodies, employers, and employees, and that today’s session is an open platform for dialogue.
“Occupational safety is about life, health, and the well-being of every person. It is especially important to listen to employers and employees — those who face real challenges every day and understand which solutions truly work. Reports are one thing, but practice is something entirely different. Only through close cooperation can we build a truly modern and safe working environment,” he said. The Deputy Prime Minister also stressed that a number of decisions have already been made at the state level to establish a safe production environment.
In her speech, Svetlana Zhakupova reminded the audience that the theme of this year’s World Day for Safety and Health at Work is: “Advancing a culture of safety and health at work: leveraging Artificial Intelligence and digitalization.”
“This theme highlights the importance of applying new technologies to improve working conditions and prevent accidents. In the past, we spoke of robotics, automation, digitalization, climate change, and the shift to a ‘green’ economy as distant prospects. But that future is already here — it is our reality now,” she said.
The Minister noted that digital solutions, artificial intelligence, and other measures have already shaped a new safety and occupational health culture in countries setting the pace in this area, and that Kazakhstan is now developing in the same direction.
“Ensuring safe and decent working conditions in line with global trends will always remain a key priority of the national labor policy. In recent years, we have seen a downward trend in occupational injuries and in the number of workers who have lost their professional capacity,” Zhakupova stated.
The speakers discussed current challenges and trends in occupational safety and industrial safety — from digitalization, automation, and the ESG agenda to changes in employment structures and risk profiles. They also addressed innovative technologies such as AI, Big Data, and wearable devices, as well as key areas for advancing a safety culture, including the adoption of international standards and the strengthening of preventive measures.
At the panel session “Transformation of the National System of Professional Competencies in Occupational Health and Safety,” participants examined key areas for developing human capital in the field of occupational safety and health in Kazakhstan. The discussion focused on the creation of professional standards and qualification frameworks capable of effectively responding to modern challenges. Special emphasis was placed on the role of digital technologies and automation in updating training methods, as well as on the implementation of advanced practices for preparing OSH specialists tailored to real production needs and the sustainable development of the industry.
The panel session “How Artificial Intelligence, Big Data, and Other Digital Solutions Are Transforming Occupational Safety and Industrial Safety?” was dedicated to the integration of innovative technologies into the social and labor sphere. Experts summarized how modern digital tools — from big data analytics to AI-based systems — are transforming approaches to safety management in industrial settings. Particular attention was paid to the impact of digitalization on reducing occupational injuries, improving incident prevention, and enabling more accurate management of professional risks.
The first day of the Conference program also included the following panel sessions: “Ensuring Occupational Health and Safety: Challenges and Prospects” and “International Standards for Preventing Occupational Injuries: Strategies and Practice”. Topics covered included occupational health and workplace safety, including industrial hygiene, innovative solutions, and mechanisms for socio-economic incentives to protect workers. The sessions also addressed international standards for injury prevention, such as ISO 45001 and Vision Zero, as well as best corporate practices and national initiatives aimed at promoting safe labor.
The conference concluded today with a meeting of industrial safety specialists on the topic “Ensuring the Safety and Integrity of Hazardous Industrial Facilities and Equipment”.
KIOSH 2025 is organized by the exhibition company Iteca in cooperation with its international partner ICA Events.
Gold Partner – Eurasian Group LLP
Silver Partners – Kazzinc LLP, Kaz Minerals Group
Bronze Partner – BEST Vision Technologies LLP
The State Partner of the project – Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Population of the Republic of Kazakhstan
The event is officially supported by the RSE on REM “Republican Research Institute for Occupational Safety of the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Population of the Republic of Kazakhstan”, the Industrial Safety Committee of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Atameken National Chamber of Entrepreneurs, the Association of Mining and Metallurgical Enterprises (AMME), the Association of Oil and Gas and Energy Sector Organizations “KAZENERGY,” the PPE Association, IOSH, ORP, NEBOSH, CSSE, the Federation of Trade Unions of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Union of Legal Entities and Individual Entrepreneurs “National Association of Light Industry Enterprises “QazTextileIndustry”, the Safe Driving Association, and Petro Mining.
More detailed information about the exhibition and the conference program schedule can be found on the event website: www.kiosh.kz
