President Tokayev extends gratitude to Turkistan residents for contribution to OTS informal summit
Images | Akorda
President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev convened a meeting following the informal summit of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) held in Turkistan on May 15, Qazinform News Agency reports, citing the Telegram channel of Presidential Adviser and Press Secretary Aibek Smadiyarov.
During the meeting, the Head of State thanked the residents of the city and governor of Turkistan region Nuralkhan Kusherov for their efforts in preparing the important international event.
Thanks to their effective work, Turkistan, a city home to the sacred sites of Turkic civilization, demonstrated its strong potential as an attractive center for cultural and humanitarian cooperation, as well as its readiness to host major international forums.
According to the President, foreign leaders and all summit participants highly praised the quality of the roads, the cleanliness of the city, and the landscaping of streets and park areas.
The Head of State instructed regional and city authorities to continue efforts aimed at further developing and improving Turkistan, which he described as a historical jewel of Kazakhstan and the wider region.
President Tokayev also announced his decision to award state honors, certificates of appreciation, and letters of gratitude to a large group of local government employees, administrative staff, military and law enforcement personnel, utility workers, volunteers, and other activists for their dedicated service to Kazakhstan.
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Kazakhstan, Türkiye, Uzbekistan, and Azerbaijan to launch joint satellite
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The presidents of OTS member states participating in the Informal Summit in Turkistan on Friday were briefed on key initiatives to develop Kazakhstan's digital economy and strengthen technological partnership in the region, Qazinform News Agency reports, citing the Akorda press service.
Kazakhstan's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development, Zhaslan Madiyev, told the heads of state that Kazakhstan views AI as a strategic priority, building a comprehensive ecosystem through developing infrastructure, human capital, and innovative products.
Presently, satellite communication technologies from Starlink and OneWeb are being actively deployed in Kazakhstan, and the construction of the Trans-Caspian fiber-optic communication line promises to take the country's transit potential to a new level.
An important step has been the expansion of computing power: following the launch of the region's largest supercomputers, the ambitious Data Center Valley project is set to begin. The hub, with a capacity of at least 1 GW, is designed to become the foundation for a new export-oriented economic model based on providing AI computing services.
Cooperation among OTS countries is already yielding tangible results in the space industry. Partnering with Uzbekistan, Türkiye, and Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan is working to create a CubeSat scientific satellite, with its launch scheduled for next year.
Artificial intelligence is being actively integrated into the public administration system. Solutions such as the eGov AI assistant and the AlemGPT platform are making government services more intelligent and proactive.
Kazakhstan is also building a continuous educational pipeline - from school initiatives and TUMO centers to a specialized AI Research University.
Alem.ai International Center for Artificial Intelligence is set to become a hub for specialists and startups, providing a full cycle from research to the deployment of finished products.
The presidents were also briefed on efforts to digitalize the transport and logistics sector. The main goals of introducing AI into this sector are to simplify processes, reduce costs, and increase the transit potential of the region's countries.
Finally, it was noted that OTS member states unanimously supported Kazakhstan's initiative to establish the Asia-Pacific Digital Solutions Center. Kazakhstan expressed its sincere gratitude to its partners for their support, which facilitated the adoption of a resolution at the 82nd session of the UN ESCAP in Bangkok to establish this center in Almaty.
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OTS presidents kick-start Turkic Civilization Center construction in Turkistan
Images | Akorda
The Center of Turkic Civilization will be built in Turkistan. The presidents of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) member states on Friday kick-started the construction of the new building by laying a time capsule, Qazinform News Agency reports, citing the Akorda press service.
The center's central concept is to present the Turkic peoples as the creators of a great civilization with a unique place in world history, a profound philosophy, and centuries-old traditions of statehood.
The center will focus on scientific research, systematizing shared historical heritage, developing cultural tourism, and promoting international cooperation.
The architectural design will be imbued with deep symbolism. The complex's space is planned to reflect key concepts of the Turkic worldview, such as Tengri, Ergenekon, Kok Bori, Zheruyik, the Great Steppe, and the Tree of Life.
In terms of content, the exhibition will feature various thematic zones. The center will use cutting-edge technologies. Virtual and augmented reality (VR/AR), holography, artificial intelligence, and immersive sound and lighting systems will help visitors feel as if they are part of historic events.
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Presidents of Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan, Türkiye, and Uzbekistan visit Yassawi Mausoleum
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The heads of state paid tribute to the great thinker and spiritual leader Khoja Ahmed Yassawi, Qazinform News Agency reports, citing the Akorda press service.
Presidents Kassym-Jomart Tokayev of Kazakhstan, Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan, Sadyr Zhaparov of Kyrgyzstan, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan of Türkiye, and Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan visited one of the shrines of great spiritual, historical, and cultural significance to the Turkic world - the Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yassawi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The heads of state paid tribute to the memory of the great thinker and spiritual mentor Khoja Ahmed Yassawi and other prominent figures buried at the mausoleum.
The presidents were told that the complex, built in the 14th century by order of Emir Timur, consists of 35 rooms of various sizes. The building's interior height is 39 meters, while its exterior reaches 41 meters.
The distinguished guests viewed the tomb, Kazandyk (central hall), Taikazan (ritual bowl), as well as a bronze laukh (book stand). They were also shown an exhibition of 45 books by renowned thinkers and poets of the Turkic-Islamic world. Among them are Divani Hikmet by Khoja Ahmed Yassawi, Khamsa by Nizami, ghazals by Navoi, works by Bakyrgani, Shahnameh by Ferdowsi, the poem Layla and Majnun by Fuzuli, fragments of the Epic of Manas, and other rare works.
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OTS Informal Summit kicks off in Turkistan
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The Informal Summit of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) has begun in Turkistan, Qazinform News Agency reports.
The main topics are artificial intelligence, digital development, and strengthening regional cooperation. The event is being attended by leaders of OTS member states, including the President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.
Turkistan was chosen as the summit venue for good reason - the city is considered one of the main spiritual and historical centers of the Turkic world.
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TRACECA countries sign agreement on unified transit permit
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As part of the 18th meeting of the TRACECA Intergovernmental Commission, a ceremony of signing several key documents aimed at developing the Europe-Caucasus-Asia international transport corridor and digitalizing transit procedures took place, Qazinform News Agency reports.
The document was signed by Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan.
The agreement is aimed at simplifying transit procedures among member states.
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Kazakhstan expands official list of state awards
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Kazakhstan’s Senate passed amendments to the law on state awards on Thursday, Qazinform News Agency reports.
The amendments, as stated in the Committee's conclusion, establish a provision prohibiting the repeated conferral of the same honorary title.
In a move to honor significant achievements in education, science, culture, and spiritual life, Kazakhstan has established the Order of Al-Farabi as a new top-tier state honor. Alongside the existing decoration system, the legislation introduces Orders of Qoja Ahmet Yasaui and Meiirim.
The Order of Qoja Ahmet Yasaui recognizes significant contributions from domestic and foreign scholars, state and public figures, as well as citizens to national statehood, public-political, social, cultural, and humanitarian fields.
The Order of Meirim acknowledges citizens who have demonstrated exceptional dedication to charity, patronage, and philanthropic endeavors.
The new law revises decoration protocols for military, law enforcement, civil defense, and courier personnel receiving the Dank, Aibyn, and Zhauyngerlik yerligi ushin awards. It also clarifies eligibility for large families' maternal honors, including the Altyn Alka and Kumis Alka pendants.
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Parliament chambers to hold joint session on May 15
Chairman of the Majilis Yerlan Koshanov on Wednesday signed a decree to convene a joint session of the chambers of parliament of Kazakhstan, Qazinform News Agency reports.
As per subparagraph 2 of paragraph 4 of Article 58 of the Kazakh Constitution, I decree to convene a joint session of the chambers of parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan at 10:00 am on May 15, 2026, in Astana, reads the decree.
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