Kazakhstan's Issyk Inscription Added to UNESCO Register

On November 5, 2026, during a Regional Committee meeting in Jakarta, Kazakhstan saw two of its cultural treasures added to the UNESCO Memory of the World Asia-Pacific Regional Register. These items include the Issyk Inscription, found on a silver bowl from the Issyk kurgan, and a collection of printed works by the scholar Mashkhur Zhusup Kopeyev. Their inclusion represents a significant step in gaining international recognition for the country’s documentary and historical legacy.

The Issyk Inscription stands as one of the earliest known examples of Turkic runic writing. Recovered during archaeological digs at the Issyk kurgan, the artifact offers a rare window into the lives and scripts of early Turkic peoples. Alongside it, the works of Mashkhur Zhusup Kopeyev represent a different era of Kazakh intellectual life. As an influential enlightener, journalist, and writer, Kopeyev helped shape the nation’s cultural and educational landscape, with his publications serving as a foundation for literacy and social awareness.

Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Culture and Information noted that placing these nominations on the UNESCO register validates the global standing of the nation's heritage and helps share these stories with a wider audience. This recognition is intended to draw attention to historical narratives and cultural contributions that have sometimes been sidelined in broader global histories.

This latest achievement follows previous efforts by Kazakhstan to secure UNESCO status for its traditional practices. These include the holiday of Salburyn, the craft of embroidery, and the art of traditional felt-making. Such initiatives highlight a sustained focus on protecting intangible heritage, ensuring that these customs remain active and are handed down to future generations.

The addition to the Memory of the World Register is expected to encourage cultural tourism and open doors for international partnerships in heritage conservation. This milestone serves as an incentive for Kazakhstan to maintain its preservation efforts and highlight its historical importance to the world. As more nations prioritize their cultural legacies, these steps may also serve as a model for similar preservation projects elsewhere.