From archival legislation to digital records management, staff members of the Archive of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan are participating in a specialized professional development course delivered by experts from the National Library and Archives of the United Arab Emirates. Throughout the week, participants will discuss current issues in archival development, exchange professional experience, and learn about practices implemented by archival institutions in the UAE.

The online course is being held from 22 to 26 June and brings together 25 employees of the Archive of the President. The programme covers archival terminology and legislation, records management throughout the document lifecycle, archival processing and description, storage management, and the application of digital technologies in archival work.

On the first day of the seminar, participants had general Introduction into archival terminology. Discussions focused on the evolution of archival practice, major archival theories and schools of thought, the activities of international archival organizations, contemporary archival terminology, legislative frameworks governing archival activities, and international archival standards.

During the lecture, the speaker emphasized the importance of the consistent use of professional terminology in archival work and highlighted the role of a common conceptual framework in facilitating effective cooperation among specialists.

“Effective communication begins with a shared understanding of professional terminology. When specialists speak the same language, they can more effectively manage records and archives, ensuring their long-term preservation, authenticity, and accessibility for future generations,” noted Dr. Soufiane Bouharrat, Technical Expert at the National Library and Archives of the United Arab Emirates.

The seminar represents another step in the development of cooperation between the Archive of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the National Library and Archives of the UAE. Since the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding in 2023, collaboration between the two institutions has expanded to include professional exchanges, participation in international events, and the implementation of joint educational initiatives.

In 2025, the Archive in Astana welcomed His Excellency Dr. Abdulla Majed Al Ali, Director General of the National Library and Archives of the United Arab Emirates. During the visit, the parties discussed prospects for the development of archival science and practice, strengthening professional ties between archivists of the two countries, and opportunities for organizing joint internships and educational programmes.