Marat Omarov, chairman of Kazakhstan’s Agency for Protection and Development of Competition, will lead the Interstate Council for Antimonopoly Policy (ICAP) in 2026–2028. The decision was made on October 29 at the council’s 61st meeting in Khankendi, Azerbaijan, with the support of CIS member states.
Kazakhstan’s chairmanship is intended to further cooperation on competition protection, improve antimonopoly legislation and facilitate the exchange of enforcement experience.
The ICAP was established in 1993 under the Agreement on Coordinated Antimonopoly Policy, signed by the heads of government of CIS member states. It supports cooperation among national antimonopoly authorities, promotes competition and helps develop common approaches to preventing and stopping anticompetitive practices.
A key area of the council’s work is coordinating joint studies and investigations in markets with cross-border significance. A task force for joint investigations into violations of antimonopoly law operates under the council. Its work covers air transport, telecommunications, petroleum products, pharmaceuticals and retail markets. Countering cartel agreements is also a priority.
The ICAP’s international agenda is expanding as the digital economy and new business models develop. Current issues include the impact of artificial intelligence on competition, regulation of digital markets, medicine pricing, roaming costs and the development of exchange trading.
Kazakhstan’s 2026–2028 chairmanship is expected to continue efforts to bring competition-protection approaches closer, develop joint investigations and share practical solutions among CIS antimonopoly authorities.
