ASTANA – Families play a crucial role in raising the younger generation, providing them with essential guidance, affection and support, Kazakh Minister of Culture and Information Aida Balayeva said at the fifth Budapest Demographic Summit on 14-15 September, the ministry’s press service reported.
This allows young people to develop a sense of security and readiness to start their own families in the future, Balayeva stressed.
The international summit in Budapest brought together politicians, experts, religious representatives, business leaders, academics and media professionals from around the world to discuss demographic issues and their impact on the institution of the family.
During an interactive panel session on family policy, Balayeva explained the importance of the family in the sustainable development of the nation and highlighted key demographic trends in Kazakhstan.
Kazakhstan is a multi-ethnic state with more than 100 ethnic groups and 18 religious denominations. It has a young population, with an average age of 32, and young people make up almost 30% of the total population,” she said.
The minister also noted that, despite concerns raised by demographers, Kazakhstan is carefully harnessing the energy of its youth to promote opportunities, following the course outlined by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev in his State of the Nation address.
Balayeva outlined the institutional foundations of family and demographic policy, including reforms, social support initiatives, the digital family card and other special programmes currently in place.
She discussed issues that have a significant impact on the education process and outlined Kazakhstan’s efforts to address these challenges.
On the sidelines of the Summit, Ms Balayeva participated in a number of bilateral meetings, including talks with the Hungarian Minister of Culture and Innovation, Mr János Csák, and the Speaker of the National Assembly of Azerbaijan, Ms Sahiba Gafarova.
The parties explored opportunities for bilateral cooperation and reaffirmed their shared interest in advancing cooperation in the areas of family demography and cultural-humanitarian relations.