Published on: 2026-04-17
Source: United Nations – United Nations –
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Director of the Research Center “Youth” of the Ministry of Culture and Information of the Republic of Kazakhstan Gulistan Nabayeva – a member of the national delegation of Kazakhstan, which arrived at the UN headquarters to participate in the Youth Forum of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). “The Youth Forum has brought together a huge number of leaders and talents from all countries of the world, and we are delighted to be part of this event,” she noted in an interview with the UN News Service.
Kazakh delegation becomes
The Kazakh delegation included ten people – representatives of public and youth organizations working with various youth groups. The center, headed by Naibaev, conducts systematic research: it carries out sociological surveys, prepares analytical reports, and advises government bodies on youth policy issues. This allows decisions to be made based on data and positions Kazakhstan on the world stage as a dynamically developing country with a young population and growing potential.
Volunteer movement
One example of the country’s successful policy named by Nasrbaev is the development of the volunteer movement. On the initiative of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, 2026 was declared the Year of Volunteering. According to her, this topic also aroused interest at the UN. Thus, at the forum, representatives of Kazakhstan have already discussed prospects for cooperation with the Assistant Secretary-General for Youth Affairs, Felipe Paullero, who expressed readiness to more actively involve Central Asia in global projects.
Young population
Special attention in the conversation was given to the demographic situation. In conditions when many countries face a decline in birth rates, Kazakhstan, on the contrary, demonstrates stable population growth. “Among the youth, there is a tendency to have two, three, or more children from an early age, and this is considered the norm,” noted Nabaeva. At the same time, she emphasized that the demographic picture in the country is heterogeneous: in the southern region, birth rates are traditionally higher, while in the north the indicators are significantly lower.Such a positive dynamic is associated by the expert with the combination of state policy and cultural traditions: “This is a mixture of a properly constructed state policy and traditional roots,” Naibaeva said.
According to forecasts, by 2040 the youth population in Kazakhstan may reach eight million people. Already today, there are about 5.8 million young people in the country. At the same time, the expansion of the youth age category from 14-29 to 14-35 years has allowed a larger number of citizens to receive state support and participate more actively in public life.
Against this background, the issue of employment among Kazansky youth acquires special significance. According to Na Baeva, the unemployment rate among young people is about 3.1 percent. “If we compare with last year, when the indicator was 3.2 percent, we see positive dynamics,” she noted. At the same time, according to her, a certain level of unemployment is natural, including due to the widespread practice among youth of taking a “gap year”—a break in studies or work for rethinking life goals.
Priorities of Kazan Youth
According to the data from the research center, over the past ten years, the value orientations of Kazan youth have remained relatively stable: in first place is family, followed by health, education, and professional development.
Along with this, the forum also discussed the impact of artificial intelligence on modern society. In Kazakhstan, artificial intelligence is considered not as a threat, but as a tool for development. “Artificial intelligence will not replace people. People will replace people who have mastered digital technology skills,” believes N. Nabaeva.
That is why the country is betting on the development of digital competencies and artificial intelligence. Kazakhstan aims to become one of the regional leaders in this area. IT hubs have already been created in the country, uniting young specialists and startups, some of which are expanding into international markets. At the same time, institutional conditions are being established: for example, 2026 has been declared the Year of Digitalization and Artificial Intelligence, and the specialized ministry has been tasked with accelerating the transformation of key industries.
Calls and Issues
However, alongside technological development, social challenges also arise. Regional disparities remain noticeable in the country, including in access to education and opportunities for girls. Government programs and civil society initiatives are aimed at making this environment more inclusive, but the process remains uneven.
Participation in the ECOSOC forum, emphasized N. Nabiyeva, became an important step for the Kazakhstani delegation in strengthening international cooperation. “We share our practical experience and thereby strengthen communication with other countries,” she said. According to Nabiyeva, it is precisely the exchange of knowledge and joint initiatives that will help young people around the world better prepare for the challenges of the future.
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