The Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan has approved the Comprehensive Plan for the Preservation and Promotion of Cultural Heritage under the auspices of UNESCO and ICESCO for 2026–2028. The corresponding resolution was signed by Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov.

The plan provides for specific measures to preserve historical and cultural monuments, support intangible heritage, train specialists, and expand Kazakhstan’s participation in international programs and initiatives in this field.

Among the main objectives are improving the quality of protection of World Heritage sites, promoting Kazakhstan’s cultural values in the international agenda, developing the expert and educational base, and increasing public involvement in heritage preservation efforts.

The Comprehensive Plan covers three key areas: the preservation and popularization of tangible cultural heritage sites, the development and support of the intangible cultural heritage of the Kazakh people, and the promotion of the UNESCO “Memory of the World” Programme.

In terms of monument protection, the plan includes monitoring the condition of sites of international significance, preparing a methodological guide for the management of UNESCO World Heritage sites in Kazakhstan, and expanding the tentative list of cultural heritage sites for further promotion at the international level.

A separate block is dedicated to international cooperation. In particular, inter-agency and expert consultations are planned for the preparation of a possible nomination “Silk Road: Caspian-Volga Corridor”. Work will also continue on promoting the multinational nomination “Alpamys Batyr” together with Azerbaijan, Turkey, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan for inclusion in the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Another important direction is preparation for Kazakhstan’s accession to ICCROM (International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property). This will expand professional cooperation and allow the use of modern approaches to the preservation and restoration of heritage sites.

A significant part of the plan focuses on personnel training. At least 30 experts will undergo training annually under the UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage. The International Educational Corporation will also develop conceptual and design projects for the preservation of monuments within bachelor’s and master’s degree programs.

Special attention will be paid to elements of intangible cultural heritage that are at risk of disappearing. These include the making and decoration of the Kazakh yurt, Kazakh carpet weaving, and the epic genre of terme in several regions of the country.

The implementation of the plan will strengthen efforts to preserve cultural heritage, reduce the shortage of specialized educational programs and experts, expand the involvement of local communities, and introduce modern technologies in this field.

#Olzhas Bektenov #Culture #International Cooperation

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