From 14 to 17 June 2026, Executive President Shen Lei held a series of high-level meetings and site visits in Shenzhen with Vice President Akhylbek Kurishbayev – who also serves as President of the Kazakh National Academy of Sciences and Rector of the Kazakh National Agrarian Research University (KazNARU). The discussions focused on the detailed planning of the 2027 conference to be hosted in Kazakhstan, covering thematic frameworks, the invitation of distinguished speakers, membership expansion, and the engagement of experts across multiple fields. Vice President Kurishbayev enthusiastically confirmed his readiness to host the 2027 conference in Kazakhstan and voiced resolute support for all future endeavors of the iAONR.
During their stay, the delegation visited the Smart City Research Institute of Shenzhen University. The Kazakh side was accompanied by Kalnazarov Yelnar, Deputy Governor of Almaty Region and Advisor on China Affairs, and Imanmadi Duman, Assistant to the President of the National Academy of Sciences under the President of Kazakhstan. Chinese experts participating included Guo Renzhong, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and the International Eurasian Academy of Sciences, a core founder of Shenzhen’s land informatization, digital city, and smart city development; Chen Xi, Academic Dean of the School of Geographic Information at Zhejiang University of Technology, Academician of the International Eurasian Academy of Sciences, and Foreign Academician of the Academy of Agricultural Sciences of the Republic of Kazakhstan; and Assistant Professor Li Delong at Institute of Geographic Science and Natural Resources Research of Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS).
The Shenzhen talks underscored the strong bilateral commitment to advancing academic exchange and cooperation. With Kazakhstan’s firm backing, the 2027 conference is set to become a landmark event for international collaboration in the field.
KazNARU’s Advantages and Capabilities for Hosting an International Conference on Natural Resources and Planning
The Kazakh National Agrarian Research University (KazNARU) is exceptionally well-positioned to host a major international conference on natural resources and planning, drawing on its deep disciplinary expertise, extensive international networks, and proven track record in organizing high-profile global events.
1. Core Disciplinary Strengths in Natural Resources and Land Management
KazNARU houses dedicated faculties and research centers focused on the very themes central to natural resources and planning. Its Faculty of Water, Land and Forestry Resources trains specialists in land protection, land management, land cadaster, forest management, and landscape design. The university’s research spans effective land management for mitigating degradation, sustainable land use formation, and water resource management. This concentrated expertise provides an unmatched academic foundation for convening global experts in the field.
2. Extensive Experience in Hosting International Forums
KazNARU has a well-established record of successfully organizing large-scale international scientific events. Recent examples include:
- The International Scientific and Expert Forum “Sustainable Urban Development: Challenges and Scenarios in Water Resources Management” (February 2026), which brought together representatives from the scientific community, government authorities, and water management enterprises.
- The International Conference “Smart Agroscience: Research and Innovations of Young Scientists”, featuring dedicated sessions on water resources and IT technologies.
- The International Summer School – 2026, which attracted over 200 participants from more than a dozen countries, including the United States, China, Poland, Turkey, France, and Pakistan. The programme covered nine major areas, among them “SmartWater: Water Resources under Climate Change” and “Smart Forestry and Land Resources Management”.
- The 5th International Agrotechnological Summit, organized with the support of the United Nations Information Office in Kazakhstan.
3. Modern Conference Facilities and Hybrid Capabilities
KazNARU offers purpose-built conference infrastructure at its main campus in Almaty (8 Abay Avenue), including a Situation Center equipped for both offline and online participation. The university routinely hosts international conferences in a hybrid (online/offline) format with working languages in Kazakh, Russian, and English, ensuring accessibility for a global audience.
4. Strong International Partnerships and Global Recognition
As a member institution of the United Nations Academic Impact (UNAI), KazNARU maintains active collaborations with leading universities and research institutes worldwide. Its partners include the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, China Agricultural University, Lanzhou University, Universiti Putra Malaysia, and Swiss and Turkish institutions. The university has also deepened scientific cooperation with Chinese research centers, including the China–Central Asia Desertification Control Cooperation Center, demonstrating its capacity to bridge regional and global networks.
5. Strategic Location and Institutional Support
Situated in Almaty – Kazakhstan’s largest city and a major cultural and economic hub – KazNARU benefits from excellent transport links and a vibrant academic environment. The university enjoys strong backing from national and regional authorities, as evidenced by the participation of government representatives in its forums. With Vice President Akhylbek Kurishbayev at the helm – also serving as President of the Kazakh National Academy of Sciences – the university commands the institutional authority and resources to deliver a world-class conference experience.
In summary, KazNARU’s combination of specialized academic expertise, proven organizational capacity, modern facilities, and extensive international partnerships makes it an ideal host for the 2027 International Conference on Natural Resources and Planning.