The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and the Committee on Intellectual Property Rights of the Ministry of Justice of Kazakhstan (Committee) jointly organized a Sub-Regional Workshop for Judges of Central Asia on Current Issues in Intellectual Property Rights in Astana on May 13 and 14, 2026. The two-day workshop brought together 30 judges from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan to enhance their understanding of IP law and further develop the practical skills required for the effective resolution of IP disputes.
Workshop Highlights
The workshop, opened by the Committee Chairperson, Ms. Sholpan Abdreyeva, featured a rich and interactive program covering core areas of trademark and copyright law, with particular attention to current issues related to the digital environment. Through a mix of presentations, discussions, and small group exercises, the collaborative learning environment encouraged participants to share best practices and practical insights gained from in-depth analysis of actual and hypothetical cases.
The program brought together a distinguished mix of international and regional experts. Presiding Judge Eike Nielsen of the Federal Patent Court of Germany and Judge Yi Jiyoung of the Intellectual Property High Court of Korea shared comparative perspectives, complementing the national practices and expertise imparted by Kazakhstani judges Maya Kasymova of the Court of Astana and Aibek Amangeldin of the Specialized Interdistrict Administrative Court of Astana.
Strengthening Institutional Dialogue at the Highest Judicial Level
On May 15, 2026, a supplementary half-day seminar was held in hybrid format, in-person and online, at the Cassation Court for Administrative Cases (CCAC) for approximately 70 judges from the CCAC, specialized administrative courts and administrative panels of the city courts of Almaty, Astana and Shymkent. The meeting provided an opportunity for Kazakhstani judges with jurisdiction over administrative IP offenses and appeals from Qazpatent’s Appeal Board to compare approaches and practices with the visiting judges from Germany and the Republic of Korea.
Together, the workshop and seminar advanced judges' expertise in IP law and procedure, fostering more consistent and informed decision-making in IP cases and a stable legal environment that encourages innovation, investment, and respect for the rule of law.
Toward Sustainable IP Capacity in Central Asia
The workshop and seminar reflect the shared commitment of WIPO and Kazakhstan to building sustainable judicial expertise in IP across the Central Asia sub-region. These activities took place in the context of Kazakhstan's recent judicial reforms, the development of its National Innovation Strategy, and broader efforts to diversify the economy towards knowledge-driven growth. It also built on earlier initiatives to strengthen judicial capacity in IP adjudication, including a 2023 national Workshop on the Judicial Review of Trademark Registrability, a 2025 seminar on the Protection of Intellectual Property Rights in Courts, and the participation of Judge Zhanar Duisenova of the Specialized Interdistrict Administrative Court of Astana on the 2025-2027 WIPO Advisory Board of Judges. Together, these activities reflect Kazakhstan’s dedication to providing continuing judicial education on IP, in order to enable fair and effective enforcement of IP rights and an innovation-friendly legal environment.
The WIPO Judicial Institute will continue working with Kazakhstan and its partners across the sub-region to strengthen IP judicial education and ensure that judges remain equipped to address evolving IP challenges in the digital age. The success of this initiative underscores the value of regional cooperation in developing consistent, well-informed, and effective IP adjudication frameworks that support innovation and creativity across Central Asia.
About the WIPO Judicial Institute and Capacity Building for Judges
The WIPO Judicial Institute supports fair and effective justice systems and access to legal information enabling IP and innovation ecosystems. As part of this work, WIPO offers a holistic suite of capacity building activities that support the development of continuing judicial education (CJE) on IP.
CJE programs are designed to strengthen the capacity of judicial authorities in member states to deliver self-sustaining education programs on IP. The goal is for judges to develop their capacity and skills to adjudicate IP disputes efficiently and in accordance with national strategies and priorities. Ultimately, these programs will enable new judges to gain an initial understanding of the complex field of IP and allow experienced judges to learn about new IP legislation and developments.
To learn more about this support contact the WIPO Judicial Institute.