President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev addressed a meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). He proposed CIS member states to establish an exchange of expertise in AI and create a common collection of outstanding literary works.
The Head of State emphasised the growing role of digitalisation and artificial intelligence. He identified the ability to master emerging technologies and develop home-grown solutions as a key prerequisite for the competitiveness of CIS economies.
Tokayev proposed establishing a mechanism for sharing expertise and best practices in artificial intelligence development strategies, legislation and government support measures. Research centres, universities, companies and emerging technology enterprises are expected to participate in this initiative.
The President also proposed holding a forum of artificial intelligence specialists in Astana under the auspices of the CIS. The event is scheduled to take place in the first quarter of 2027.
Culture, Volunteers and the Russian Language
Tokayev identified close people-to-people ties, mutual trust, shared cultural outlooks and the Russian language as the foundations of the CIS’s distinctive character. At Kazakhstan’s initiative, the heads of state adopted a statement on the development of cooperation in the field of culture.
The CIS Volunteer Forum has been established, with its inaugural meeting held in Astana in August. The President informed his counterparts that “the very concept of volunteering, or a policy of good deeds, is enshrined in our new Constitution, meaning that volunteers have been granted constitutional status.”
Tokayev called on the leaders of CIS member states to support the activities of the International Organisation for the Russian Language. According to the President, approximately 300 mln people worldwide have varying levels of proficiency in Russian. He also urged CIS countries to preserve their linguistic and cultural diversity and respect the history and traditions of all peoples.
A Golden Library Collection
The President stressed the fundamental importance of fostering young people’s interest in reading. He described reading as the foundation of education and sound judgement, an issue of particular significance “in an environment of internet-driven dominance that has given rise to a phenomenon known as the TikTok mentality among young people.”
Kazakhstan has established a National Book Day and launched the 100 Books to Read initiative. Tokayev proposed building on this initiative by establishing a Golden Library Collection of the CIS, comprising outstanding literary works by the peoples of the Commonwealth.
The collection could be housed in the Presidential Library, which is scheduled for completion in Astana in mid-2027. The project could include professional translations and an open-access digital library.
According to the President, familiarising young people with the finest literary works of neighbouring countries would enable them to “understand one another better and, most importantly, stand together in this unstable world.”
