Turkestan is preparing for a major international cultural milestone. In 2027, the city will hold the title of Cultural Capital of the Islamic World, while Kazakhstan plans to expand cooperation with ICESCO and seek international recognition for 10 additional cultural heritage nominations, DKNews.kz reports.
The announcement followed a meeting between Kazakhstan's Vice President Yerlan Karin and Salim AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), according to Akorda.
The talks took place in Almaty on November 6, 2026, on the sidelines of an international symposium dedicated to the legacy of Al-Farabi.
What is planned for Turkestan in 2027?
The decision to designate Turkestan as the Cultural Capital of the Islamic World has already been made. Attention is now turning to the international cultural events and joint initiatives that will accompany the city's new status.
During the meeting, Yerlan Karin conveyed President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev's gratitude to Salim AlMalik for ICESCO's support in promoting Al-Farabi's legacy internationally and for the decision to award Turkestan the cultural capital designation.
The two sides discussed organizing joint cultural events in Turkestan, along with research projects dedicated to studying and promoting the intellectual and spiritual heritage of Al-Farabi and Khoja Ahmed Yasawi.
These initiatives could bring Turkestan's historical and cultural significance to a wider international audience.
However, the detailed event schedule, budget and expected number of participants have not yet been announced.
Kazakhstan seeks recognition for 10 more heritage nominations
Another major topic of the talks was the international recognition of Kazakhstan's cultural heritage.
Kazakhstan and ICESCO discussed the potential inclusion of 10 additional Kazakhstani nominations on ICESCO's Islamic World Heritage List.
The nominations have not yet been approved. Their possible inclusion remains under consideration.
The official statement did not specify which historical monuments, cultural sites or heritage traditions Kazakhstan intends to nominate.
If approved, the nominations would strengthen the international visibility of Kazakhstan's cultural heritage.
For now, however, the final decisions are still pending.
New Constitution puts education, science and innovation in focus
During the meeting, Vice President Yerlan Karin also highlighted Kazakhstan's constitutional reforms.
According to Karin, the country's new Constitution establishes human capital development, education, science and innovation as strategic national priorities.
Against this backdrop, Kazakhstan and ICESCO are exploring opportunities to develop joint scientific and educational programs.
Particular attention was given to research into the intellectual and spiritual legacies of Al-Farabi and Khoja Ahmed Yasawi.
Such cooperation could support greater international engagement for Kazakhstani researchers and academic institutions.
The specific universities and research centers that might participate in future programs have not yet been identified.
ICESCO's potential role in major international events in 2027 and 2028
The Almaty meeting went beyond culture, heritage and education.
Karin and AlMalik also discussed cooperation within the framework of the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions.
Among Kazakhstan's priorities is promoting President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev's initiative to establish a Global Movement for Peace.
The two sides also addressed the international promotion of documents adopted at the 24th meeting of the Congress Secretariat.
Preparations for two upcoming international gatherings were another focus of the discussions:
-
2027: The 25th meeting of the Secretariat of the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions.
-
2028: The 9th Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions.
ICESCO's potential involvement in preparing these events was discussed, although the specific format of its participation has not been disclosed.
For Turkestan, 2027 could mark an important stage in expanding international cultural cooperation.
Alongside the city's designation as the Cultural Capital of the Islamic World, Kazakhstan is seeking recognition for 10 additional heritage nominations, while exploring new opportunities for joint research and education.
The next key developments will be the announcement of Turkestan's official cultural program and ICESCO's decisions on Kazakhstan's proposed heritage nominations.
