For the purpose of developing human capital, strengthening society’s intellectual and cultural potential, promoting a culture of reading as a key element of education, upbringing and enlightenment, creating conditions for building a reading nation, and developing a creative, constructive and competitive individual, I HEREBY DECREE:
1. The following shall be defined as priority areas of state policy in culture, education and innovation:
- developing a culture of reading and building a reading nation;
- developing modern reader infrastructure by creating new-format libraries and public spaces with extensive use of digital tools;
- supporting national writers and poets whose works help educate the younger generation in a spirit of respect for the key principles and provisions of the Constitution of the Republic of Kazakhstan;
- encouraging activities by publishers and book distributors that benefit the state;
- promoting the national literary heritage within the country and abroad.
2. The Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan shall:
- ensure a set of measures to develop a culture of reading and sustainable reading habits among different groups of the population, including children and young people;
- modernize reader infrastructure, including new-format libraries and multifunctional public spaces, and introduce modern information systems and services;
- promote the national literary heritage within the country and abroad, including through high-quality translation, publication and distribution to a broad readership;
- begin implementing the national “10 Readers of the Year” project by 1 September 2026;
- by the end of 2026, approve the “Reading Nation” Concept for promoting reading culture and the book sector for 2027–2031 in the context of artificial-intelligence development;
- by 1 January 2027, prepare a draft of the new Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan “On Libraries and Book Publishing”;
- by 1 January 2027, establish a National Prize for achievements in developing a culture of reading;
- by 1 January 2027, create a single-access National Digital Library platform;
- report annually to the Administration of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan on implementation of the “Reading Nation” Concept.
3. This Decree shall enter into force on the date of its signature.