The event, co-hosted by Astana Hub in collaboration with AARDVARK, convened leading experts, business representatives, and education stakeholders, alongside the Aviation Administration of Kazakhstan. Attendees were provided with a comprehensive overview of the future prospects for the drone industry in Kazakhstan. Moreover, they had the chance to engage in hands-on experiences with drones, including virtual flights utilizing VR glasses and practical demonstrations with real devices.

"Over 300 drones are duly registered and operational in the country, serving diverse purposes. With the guidance of the Drone Tech Center at Astana Hub, we anticipate the initiation of innovative projects across a spectrum of domains using these devices. Our objective is to foster the inception of inventive ideas and advancements that will bolster our community's growth and significantly contribute to the progression of the drone industry," said Tanat Uskembaev, Managing Director of Astana Hub.

The Drone Tech Center's commitment to educational initiatives extends to fostering a diverse range of programs tailored to cater to the needs of individuals at various stages of their journey in the drone industry. Through these initiatives, the center aims to equip aspiring enthusiasts and seasoned professionals alike with the necessary skills and knowledge to thrive in this rapidly evolving field.

"Drones represent not just a technological innovation, but a transformative solution to numerous challenges across industries. Having witnessed the success of companies worldwide in the drone sector, I am convinced of Kazakhstan's potential to excel in this domain. By fostering a collaborative community of entrepreneurs, startups, students, and enthusiasts, we can leverage collective expertise to drive innovation and create impactful projects that benefit society," highlighted Dmitry Ivanov, General Director of AARDVARK.

According to experts, over 16 organizations in Kazakhstan have successfully integrated unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) across various sectors, including military, law enforcement, medical, and commercial domains. These UAVs are utilized for a myriad of purposes, such as firefighting, search and rescue operations, reconnaissance missions, supply deliveries, medical aid dissemination, research endeavors, and environmental monitoring within the agricultural sector, among others.

"According to UN data, Kazakhstan ranks 14th globally in wheat production, yet 5th in acreage and 104th in yield among 124 countries. This situation could be ameliorated through the adoption of 'smart farming' practices. Drones represent just one facet of the technological arsenal facilitating the effective implementation of such practices worldwide. They have the capability to supplant ground-based sprayers, administer pesticides, distribute fertilizers and seeds, as well as monitor fields utilizing artificial intelligence. This enables them to detect pests, diseases, weeds, and plant health issues. While drones may be comparably priced to tractors, their productivity and efficiency far exceed traditional agricultural machinery," said Sanzhar Nurgazinov, CEO of SkyWorker.

It is noteworthy that within the confines of the international technology park Astana Hub, alongside the Drone Tech Center, several other innovation centers thrive, each catering to distinct technological domains. These include the GameDev Center, dedicated to nurturing the gaming ecosystem in Kazakhstan; the Blockchain Center, serving as a research laboratory aimed at bridging blockchain technology and academia; the Hardware Center, which facilitates the prototyping and development of hardware projects; the SpaceTech Center, offering support to startups engaged in space technology and aerospace endeavors; and the Defense Tech Center, focused on advancing technologies pertinent to defense and security sectors. Furthermore, there are plans underway to establish an AI-Center, with a primary focus on fostering the development and scalability of projects rooted in artificial intelligence.