Kazakhstan’s National Commission Discusses Priorities for Cooperation with UNESCO and ICESCO

Almaty, May16, 2025 – A regular meeting of the National Commission of the Republic of Kazakhstan for UNESCO and ICESCO was held under the chairmanship of the State Counsellor of the Republic of Kazakhstan Erlan Karin.

The meeting was attended by Minister of Culture and Information Aida Balayeva, First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Akan Rakhmetullin, Vice Ministers of Science and Higher Education, Ecology and Natural Resources, Tourism and Sports, as well as heads of subordinate organizations, members of the National Commission, and the Head of the UNESCO Regional Office in Almaty, Amir Piric.

The session focused on the current state and future prospects of Kazakhstan’s cooperation with UNESCO and ICESCO. Particular attention was paid to the implementation of the President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s instructions regarding engagement with UNESCO.

In his remarks, First Deputy Minister Rakhmetullin highlighted Kazakhstan’s foreign policy initiatives aimed at strengthening the country’s standing within the United Nations system. In particular, he emphasized the important role of the UNESCO Regional Office in light of the recent adoption by the UN General Assembly of the resolution on the establishment of the UN Regional Hub for the Sustainable Development Goals for Central Asia and Afghanistan on Almaty.

The leadership of the National Commission noted that important progress has been made in the framework of cooperation with UNESCO, including the inscription of Kazakhstan’s cultural and natural sites on the Organization’s international heritage lists.

Participants emphasized the need to strengthen research and educational efforts, and to enhance the involvement of Kazakhstan’s UNESCO communities, including UNESCO Chairs, Associated schools, and Clubs in promoting the Organization’s values and standards.

The meeting also welcomed UNESCO’s recent decision to inscribe the traditional Kazakh wedding ceremony “Betashar” on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Additionally, participants discussed steps to advance future national nominations for UNESCO recognition, including tangible, intangible, and documentary heritage items.

The coordinating role of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in facilitating cooperation with UNESCO and supporting the international promotion of Kazakhstan’s initiatives within the Organization was also underscored.

In conclusion, the participants reviewed preparations for key events in 2025, including the celebration of the 100th anniversary of composer Nurgisa Tlendiyev at UNESCO Headquarters and Kazakhstan’s participation in the 43rd session of the UNESCO General Conference in Samarkand.