Important events in Kazakhstan in 2025: A year of national and international significance
Kazakhstan is set to commemorate a range of significant national anniversaries, historical milestones, and international events in 2025. The upcoming year will not only be marked by Kazakhstan’s own important dates but also by global celebrations that have special relevance to the nation. Kazinform News Agency provides an overview of key events and notable anniversaries scheduled for 2025.
560th anniversary of the Kazakh Khanate
In 2025, Kazakhstan will celebrate the 560th anniversary of the founding of the Kazakh Khanate, an event that holds great historical significance. In 1465, Sultan Kerei and Zhanibek established the Kazakh Khanate, a crucial step in uniting the Kazakh people, solidifying the territory of the nation, and fostering the growth of its multi-century culture. This formation marked the beginning of a unified Kazakhstan, and its legacy continues to shape the country’s national identity today.
Historian Muhammad Haidar Dulati’s work Tarikh-i Rashidi gives an insightful account of the establishment of the Khanate, and its importance was recognized by prominent scholars such as Shokan Ualikhanov.
The creation of the Kazakh Khanate set the stage for the foundation Kazakhstan’s statehood, influencing its history throughout centuries of hardship, including invasions, famines, and political upheavals, culminating in Kazakhstan's independence in 1991.
105th anniversary of Kazinform News Agency
2025 will also mark the 105th anniversary of Kazinform News Agency, one of Kazakhstan’s oldest and most authoritative media outlets. Established in 1920, Kazinform News Agency has played an integral role in disseminating information on politics, economics, healthcare, sports, culture, and public life for over a century. Originally founded as part of the Orenburg-Turgai branch of ROSTA, the agency evolved over time, changing names and expanding its reach. In 1997, it became the Kazakh Information Agency, and by 2014, it gained the status of the country’s first international news agency. In 2022, the agency became part of the Television and Radio Complex of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
With office in Astana and correspondent networks not only in all regions of Kazakhstan, but also in countries including Russia, China, Türkiye, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, the UK and Jordan, Kazinform News Agency remains a vital source of information, offering news in multiple languages, including the Kazakh, Russian, English, Chinese, Uzbek, and Arabic script for the diaspora.
30th anniversary of Kazakhstan's Constitution
The year 2025 also marks the 30th anniversary of Kazakhstan’s current Constitution, adopted on August 30, 1995. The country’s Constitution represents a critical milestone in the nation’s development, as it laid the foundation for Kazakhstan’s legal framework as an independent state. It has been amended several times since its adoption, most recently in 2022, when significant changes were made to shift from a super-presidential system to a parliamentary republic. These reforms aimed at decentralizing power and strengthening the role of Parliament, further consolidating democratic governance and citizen participation.
As President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev noted, the Constitution also includes provisions to protect the country’s natural resources for the benefit of its citizens, with initiatives like the "National Fund – for the children" program aiming to ensure the prosperity of every citizen.
80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War
In 2025, Kazakhstan will join the international community in commemorating the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War. The war, which began in 1941 and lasted until 1945, saw the loss of approximately 27 million Soviet lives, including 600,000 from Kazakhstan. President Vladimir Putin has invited President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to attend large-scale celebrations in Moscow on May 9, 2025.
The war had a profound impact on Kazakhstan, which contributed significantly to the Soviet war effort by supplying vital resources, including minerals, coal, and food. Many Kazakhstanis, such as Aliya Moldagulova, Bauyrjan Momyshuly, Manshuk Mametova were awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union, and the country continues to honor their legacy.
70th anniversary of Baikonur cosmodrome
Baikonur, the world’s first and largest spaceport, will celebrate its 70th anniversary in 2025. Since its establishment in 1955, Baikonur has been a center of space exploration, launching the first artificial satellite in 1957 and sending Yuri Gagarin into space in 1961. Over the decades, it has been the launch site for numerous historic missions, including manned missions to space and the development of space technology.
Baikonur remains an important hub for international space programs, with Kazakhstan’s own cosmonauts, including Toktar Aubakirov and Talgat Mussabayev, contributing to global space exploration efforts.
30th anniversary of the Assembly of People of Kazakhstan
On March 1, 2025, Kazakhstan will also celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Assembly of People of Kazakhstan (APK), an organization established to promote interethnic harmony and unity. Founded in 1995, the APK has grown from a consultative body to a constitutional institution with significant political and social influence. With over a thousand ethnocultural organizations and active participation from youth, media, and mothers' councils, the APK has been instrumental in fostering a peaceful and inclusive society.
In addition to local celebrations, more than 150 events will take place both within Kazakhstan and abroad, with an estimated 1.5 million people expected to be engaged in the festivities.
International events and Kazakhstan's role
Kazakhstan will also participate in several important international events in 2025. One of the most notable is the EXPO 2025, which will be held in Osaka, Japan. Kazakhstan will have its own pavilion in the "Saving Lives" cluster, showcasing innovations related to healthcare and society’s future.
Furthermore, Kazakhstan will host the Central Asia-China summit in 2025, building on the momentum from the inaugural summit in 2023. This event underscores Kazakhstan’s growing geopolitical role in the region and its commitment to fostering cooperation with neighboring countries.
Additionally, Kazakhstan will host the World Library and Information Congress (WLIC) in Astana. This marks the first time the congress will be held in Central Asia, reflecting the region's increasing influence in the global library and information sector. The event is expected to boost Kazakhstan’s profile in the international MICE tourism industry and highlight its growing role in global cultural and educational exchanges.
Anniversaries of Prominent Figures
Kazakhstan will celebrate the 180th anniversary of the birth of its beloved poet and philosopher Abai, as well as the 190th anniversary of the birth of Shokan Ualikhanov, a renowned scientist and ethnographer. These anniversaries will be marked by a series of cultural and academic events aimed at honoring their contributions to the country’s heritage.
Other notable anniversaries include the 100th birthdays of composer Nurgisa Tlendiev and writer Berdibek Sokpakbaev, as well as the 95th birthdays of Shamsi Kaldayakov, the composer of Kazakhstan’s national anthem, and artist Yevgeniy Sidorokin.
The year 2025 promises to be a year of reflection and celebration for Kazakhstan. From significant historical anniversaries to international collaborations, the country is poised to highlight its cultural achievements, reaffirm its national identity, and strengthen its position on the global stage. Kazinform will continue to cover these important events and provide updates on how they shape the nation’s future.
Earlier Kazinform News Agency reported that President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev extended his New Year’s congratulations to the people of Kazakhstan.
