The preservation of intellectual property rights is vital for promoting innovation, protecting creators' interests, and ensuring fair competition in the global market. Demonstrating its dedication to these principles, on June 19, 2023, Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev ratified the Agreement on Cooperation of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) Member States to Prevent and Suppress the Use of False Trademarks and Geographical Indications.

The agreement was originally signed on May 28, 2021, during a meeting of the CIS Council of Heads of Government, and aims to foster collaboration among CIS member states. Its primary objective is to prevent, detect, and combat the production and sale of counterfeit goods bearing false trademarks and geographical indications. Furthermore, it addresses the cross-border movement of such goods to ensure a unified and coordinated approach among member states.

The ratification of this agreement brings several notable advantages. Firstly, it enables CIS member states to align their national systems for the protection of means of individualizing goods with international law enforcement practices. This harmonization ensures consistency, adaptability, and effectiveness in addressing modern challenges related to intellectual property rights. Moreover, the agreement optimizes norms that govern the obligations of the parties, particularly in relation to the accession of certain CIS member states to the World Trade Organization. It updates terminology and legal frameworks, providing clarity and enhancing the agreement's provisions to align with contemporary standards.

The coordination and implementation of the agreement's provisions fall under the purview of the Interstate Council for Legal Protection and Enforcement of Intellectual Property within the CIS. This council acts as a central authority, overseeing cooperation between the parties. Through close collaboration among member states' authorized bodies, the agreement's objectives are efficiently realized, ensuring a streamlined and effective approach to combating intellectual property infringements.