The Heritage of the Great Steppe Showcased in Geneva

The exhibition "The Heritage of the Great Steppe" has opened on the sidelines of the 68th session of the General Assembly of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), where representatives from nearly 200 countries are discussing copyright protection, innovation, and intellectual property. Aidana Karibzhanova reports on how Kazakhstan's national culture became part of this global agenda.

Cultural performances are a rare sight at WIPO headquarters, making the opening of Kazakhstan's national exhibition and the performance by an ethno-folk ensemble from Astana a memorable event for participants. Among the first visitors was WIPO Director General Darren Tang.

Darren Tang, Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organization:

- This is a wonderful opportunity for Kazakhstan to showcase the heritage of the Great Steppe and its rich culture during the Assembly. We have just learned, for example, about Korkyt, who created a musical instrument in his quest to overcome death. Kazakhstan is a country with a strong cultural identity, while at the same time looking toward the future by prioritizing the development of artificial intelligence. This exhibition perfectly demonstrates the combination of Kazakh heritage and modern technologies.

Kairat Torebayev, Permanent Representative of Kazakhstan to the WTO and International Economic Organizations:

- Within the framework of the General Assembly, Kazakhstan has put forward several initiatives. This year, we are chairing our regional subgroup, known as CAKO, and will represent the interests of our region at WIPO events. Overall, WIPO is an advanced organization that maintains a high level of cooperation with Kazakhstan. This includes initiatives such as master's degree programs and the establishment of an Intellectual Property Training Center.

The exhibition at WIPO headquarters in Geneva is being held alongside the 68th session of the organization's General Assembly. One of the key issues on the agenda is how to protect the rights of authors and inventors in an era when digital technologies are capable of creating music, texts, and images with minimal human involvement. Speaking at the Assembly, Kazakhstan's Minister of Justice Yerlan Sarsembayev outlined the country's key approaches to this issue and highlighted recent constitutional reforms.

Yerlan Sarsembayev, Minister of Justice of Kazakhstan:

- At the Assembly, which brings together representatives of 194 countries, we presented the constitutional reforms that have taken place in Kazakhstan. On July 1, the new Constitution entered into force, and for the first time it explicitly recognizes the role and importance of intellectual property. This demonstrates our country's commitment to developing human capital and fostering the creative economy. Every new idea brought to life by authors, creative teams, and inventors represents intellectual work that will now receive constitutional protection.

The exhibition is designed to present both Kazakhstan's historical and contemporary heritage. It features decorative and applied arts, elements of traditional national costume, musical instruments, and household items from the 18th and 19th centuries, drawn from museum collections and the private collection of jeweler Serzhan Bashirov.

Aidana Karibzhanova, correspondent:

- One of the main attractions for visitors is this digital exhibition behind me, featuring works by Kazakh artists from the Kasteyev State Museum of Arts. Through animation, lighting, and sound effects, these paintings literally come to life. The organizers describe it as an example of how digital technologies can help introduce the world's audiences to cultural heritage while preserving respect for artistic vision and intellectual property.

Alex Rihel, Director of WIPO Technology and Innovation Support Centers:

- The musicians' performance was extraordinary. It inspired me to travel to Central Asia to learn more about its culture. The traditional clothing and jewelry displayed at the exhibition were equally impressive—these are things you rarely have the chance to see in Geneva.

Today, the creative industries are among the fastest-growing sectors of the global economy, and effective intellectual property protection is a key factor in their development. Kazakhstan therefore intends to strengthen cooperation with WIPO by sharing its experience and best practices in the field of intellectual property protection.

Reported by: Aidana Karibzhanova, Ruslan Omirzhan