On the 10th IPAF Summit and International Conference to Be Held in Kazakhstan
In 2026, the Republic of Kazakhstan will host the 10th Summit and International Conference of the International Public Asset Management Company Forum (IPAF), one of the key global events in the field of distressed asset management. The Conference will be jointly organized by “Fund of Problem Loans” JSC and the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
The decision to hold the 10th IPAF Summit and International Conference in Kazakhstan is the result of the FPL’s long-standing participation in the IPAF activities and its active contribution to the development of professional dialogue in the area of non-performing asset resolution.
In 2025, the FPL obtained the status of a General Member of IPAF, and in accordance with the principle of rotation, will assume the Chairmanship of IPAF in 2026. This role includes the organization of the next IPAF Summit and International Conference, as well as an IPAF training seminar to be held in 2027.
Emphasis on National Experience and Market-Based Mechanisms
The IPAF International Conference has traditionally served as a global platform for the exchange of experience and best practices in distressed asset management. As a rule, particular attention is paid to the experience of the host country.
In recent years, the Republic of Kazakhstan has undertaken substantial efforts to establish and develop the infrastructure of the distressed asset market. A dedicated law has been adopted, enabling the acquisition of non-performing loans by private, including foreign, investors; procedures for the operation of electronic trading platforms have been established; maximum holding periods for problem assets on banks’ balance sheets have been introduced; tax conditions for investors have been created; and market-based mechanisms for NPL resolving are being consistently implemented.
In this regard, Kazakhstan possesses not only a solid regulatory framework but also tangible practical results in cleaning up the balance sheets of financial institutions, reintegrating distressed assets into economic circulation, and gradually transitioning from administrative approaches to investment- and market-driven NPL resolution models.
Broad Engagement of Market Participants
The development of the distressed asset market in Kazakhstan has been the result of cooperation among a wide range of public and private institutions. In preparation for and during the IPAF Summit and International Conference, the FPL intends to ensure active engagement of all key domestic market participants, including the financial regulator, banks and microfinance organizations, operators of electronic trading platforms, as well as professional market participants.
On the international side, it is planned to attract leading experts and practitioners in non-performing asset management, representatives of public asset management companies, international financial institutions, research centers, and private investors with sectoral expertise and hands-on experience in distressed asset transactions.
Focus of the Future Agenda
The draft agenda of the upcoming IPAF International Conference is currently under development.
At the same time, it is expected that, unlike previous IPAF events, the Summit and Conference in Kazakhstan will have a practitioner-oriented and investment-focused format, with increased attention to digital solutions and real market cases.
A distinctive feature of the upcoming events will be the expansion of the agenda to include discussions on digital and technological tools used in the management and further integration of distressed assets into economic circulation, as well as the organization of an investment forum aimed at establishing direct dialogue between sellers and investors.
It is expected that the key discussion topics will focus on the most pressing issues in the development of the distressed asset market, including:
- the introduction of market-based and investment mechanisms for NPL resolution;
- the impact of economic factors (interest rates, inflation, geopolitics) on the growth of distressed assets and the enhancement of their investment attractiveness;
- the development of the NPL secondary market and sale channels;
- modern approaches to the restructuring and rehabilitation of corporate loans, involving private capital (including foreign capital) and/or public-private partnership mechanisms;
- the use of digital and technological solutions in asset sale, valuation, and servicing processes;
- the development and improvement of judicial debt recovery mechanisms, including issues of law enforcement practice and investor protection;
- the role of state-owned companies and regulators in creating a sustainable and transparent market infrastructure.
Significance of the Summit for the FPL and Kazakhstan
The hosting of the 10th IPAF Summit and International Conference with the support of the ADB will represent an important milestone in strengthening the international positioning of the FPL and the Republic of Kazakhstan as a whole.
The event will not only provide an opportunity to present to the international professional community a comprehensive vision of the reforms and practical results achieved in the country, but will also facilitate enhanced exchange of practical experience with representatives of developed and emerging markets possessing long-standing expertise in distressed asset management.
Within the framework of the Summit, Kazakhstan will have the opportunity to study and adapt best practices from countries with advanced NPL market infrastructure, including approaches to judicial recovery, secondary asset trading, the use of digital platforms, and models of interaction between state-owned companies, regulators, and private investors. At the same time, Kazakhstan’s own experience of reform and market transformation will be presented as a practical case study for countries at comparable stages of financial system development.
The event will also lay the foundation for expanding international professional dialogue, launching joint initiatives, strengthening institutional cooperation, and ensuring sustainable knowledge exchange among market participants.
Overall, the IPAF Summit and International Conference will reinforce Kazakhstan’s image as a reputable platform for international financial dialogue, demonstrate the country’s openness to international cooperation, readiness for further reforms, and commitment to developing modern, market-oriented approaches to distressed asset management.
The material was prepared by Dina Abildayeva, Chief Specialist of the International Cooperation and Analytics Division of the Corporate Development and Coordination Department of “FPL” JSC.
