Kazakhstan proposes a CIS artificial intelligence forum in Astana for 2027

Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev proposed holding a forum on artificial intelligence under the auspices of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) in Astana in the first quarter of 2027, he said on 9 October 2026 at a meeting of the CIS Council of Heads of State, according to Report.az. The meeting was held in Turkmenbashi, Turkmenistan, APA.az reported; Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev attended the same limited-format meeting.

What was proposed

• Tokayev proposed "holding a special forum with the participation of AI specialists under the auspices of the CIS in Astana in the first quarter of 2027," Report.az's correspondent in Turkmenistan reported.
• He called for "creating a mechanism to exchange experience and best practices in AI development strategies, legislation, and state support measures involving research centers, universities, companies, and startups," according to Report.az.
• He also proposed forming "a portfolio of flagship industrial and technological CIS projects for 2027–2030," focused on manufacturing high-value-added products, Report.az said.
• Trend.az independently confirmed the proposal, reporting that Tokayev proposed "holding a CIS AI forum in Astana in the first quarter of 2027" at the same meeting.
• Aliyev addressed the same session; APA.az published remarks in which he thanked fellow heads of state for backing "Azerbaijan's co-chairmanship of the CIS in 2027" and said Azerbaijan is "ready to actively participate in the implementation of common tasks." His remarks, as published, did not mention the AI forum.

Neither outlet reported an agenda, budget or confirmed participant list for the proposed forum. The forum proposal is separate from the declaration on responsible use of artificial intelligence that Tokayev proposed the previous day, on 8 October, at the 8th Consultative Meeting of Heads of State of Azerbaijan and Central Asia.

Why it matters

Azerbaijan is a CIS member, and Aliyev's remarks, as published by APA.az, show Baku taking on the Commonwealth's co-chairmanship in 2027 — the year Tokayev wants the forum to convene, according to Report.az and Trend.az. Regionally, the proposal adds a Commonwealth-wide venue to a widening set of multilateral AI tracks across Central Asia and the Caucasus, alongside Kazakhstan's own AI ministry and national AI law.

What it means for Azerbaijani companies

Azerbaijan's Artificial Intelligence Strategy for 2025–2028 names "creating favourable conditions for the implementation of artificial intelligence" among its four goals. A CIS-wide forum aimed at research centres, universities, companies and startups exchanging AI development experience would, if realised, give Azerbaijani ICT firms and universities a new multilateral channel toward that goal. With no agenda or date confirmed, this is a forum to watch rather than a funding opportunity today.