diff --git a/python/semantic_kernel/__init__.py b/python/semantic_kernel/__init__.py
index 7e3a783282b7..7eadca1f47f8 100644
--- a/python/semantic_kernel/__init__.py
+++ b/python/semantic_kernel/__init__.py
@@ -2,5 +2,5 @@
 
 from semantic_kernel.kernel import Kernel
 
-__version__ = "1.17.1"
+__version__ = "1.18.0"
 __all__ = ["Kernel", "__version__"]