Kazakhstan’s Almaty Becomes 2025 Youth Capital of Turkic World

Kazakhstan’s Almaty has officially opened the 4th International Youth Festival of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS), marking its designation as the Youth Capital of the Turkic World for 2025.

At the ceremony, Minister of Culture and Information Aida Balayeva read a message from President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, who hailed Almaty as “the golden cradle of independence and the sacred land of creative youth”, The Caspian Post informs per Kazakh media.

He expressed confidence that the festival would inspire fresh projects and lasting friendships, adding that youth unity was vital to the future of the Turkic world.

Balayeva noted Almaty’s historic role as a crossroads of culture, science, and education, while OTS Secretary General Kubanychbek Omuraliyev highlighted the symbolic transfer of the Youth Capital title from Lankaran to Almaty, underscoring the growing role of young people in shaping regional cooperation.

Almaty Mayor Darkhan Satybaldy said the city has become a hub for uniting Turkic youth around shared traditions and new ideas. “This status is a symbol of trust placed in our city. May the strong voice of Turkic youth rise from Almaty, where friendships grow stronger and hearts unite,” he said.

The festival, running through August 19, brings together young leaders from Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan, Türkiye, and Uzbekistan to exchange experiences in youth policy, entrepreneurship, civic engagement, and social initiatives.