Turkish President Erdoğan Presents Alisher Navoi Award to Kazakhstan’s Dusen Kaseinov

Astana, The Gulf Observer: Renowned Kazakh cultural figure and former Minister of Culture Dusen Kaseinov has received the prestigious Alisher Navoi International Award in recognition of his longstanding contributions to strengthening cultural ties and promoting unity among Turkic nations.

The award was presented personally by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan during a ceremony held on October 29, 2026, on the sidelines of the 13th Summit of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) in Ankara, Türkiye.

According to Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Culture and Information, the decision to confer the award was taken following a meeting of the OTS Council of Foreign Ministers. Kaseinov was nominated by the Kazakh ministry in recognition of his professional achievements and extensive contributions to international cultural cooperation.

The ministry highlighted Kaseinov’s longstanding efforts to strengthen cultural relations, expand humanitarian cooperation and preserve the shared cultural heritage of the Turkic world.

A distinguished figure in Kazakhstan’s cultural sector, Kaseinov previously served as Minister of Culture and is an Honoured Worker of Arts of Kazakhstan. He also headed the International Organization of Turkic Culture (TURKSOY) from 2008 to 2022.

During his tenure at TURKSOY, he played an instrumental role in preserving and promoting the common cultural heritage of Turkic peoples, supporting artistic and creative initiatives, and introducing Kazakh culture to international audiences.

His work contributed significantly to strengthening spiritual, cultural and humanitarian connections among Turkic states while encouraging greater cooperation in the fields of arts and cultural heritage.

Established in 2021 on the initiative of the President of Uzbekistan, the Alisher Navoi International Award recognises outstanding contributions to the cultural and spiritual unity of the Turkic world.

The award was first presented posthumously in 2022 to renowned Kyrgyz writer Chingiz Aitmatov. In 2025, Turkish scientist and Nobel laureate Aziz Sancar received the distinction.

Kaseinov’s recognition underscores Kazakhstan’s contribution to promoting cultural diplomacy and strengthening cooperation among Turkic nations, while highlighting the importance of preserving their shared historical and cultural heritage.