A meeting chaired by the Akim of the East Kazakhstan Region, Nurymbet Saktaganov, presented the development strategy for the Katon-Karagay district through 2030. This large-scale document was developed with the participation of the public, businesses, and government agencies, and aims to transform the region into an international center of ecological and spiritual attraction.
The presented strategy through 2030 is a clear confirmation of the core principle of the aitas foundation: the success of our initiatives is the result of trust and synergy between business, government, and society. The document was crafted through an open dialogue among the state, community, and business—embodying a sustainable development model where the private sector invests in both production and the social ecosystem, developing villages (auyls) and enhancing the quality of life for local communities. This model has already proven its effectiveness over seven years of joint collaboration: since 2019, the Sustainable Development Fund of the Katon-Karagay District has been operating under the aitas meken foundation, serving as the custodian of the strategy alongside the district akimat and public figures—and it is this tripartite trust that has become the foundation of all achievements. The aitas holding and the aitas foundation corporate fund systematically implement social and infrastructural projects in the region, with the total volume of investments exceeding 1.1 billion tenge.
Today, the district strategy was presented to the regional akimat for the first time and received high-level support.
The document itself implies development across 3 key pillars:
- Economy. The document’s authors place the main emphasis on the development of conscious tourism. The region's community clearly envisions a tourist profile for whom Katon-Karagay's nature is just as sacred as it is for the local residents. The infrastructure plan includes the construction of an international airport, premium hotels, and commercial-tourist complexes, transforming the district into a modern hub for travelers from around the world. It is expected that through these solutions, the district will become 50% self-sufficient.
- Social Environment. Under the strategy, the villages of Uryl and Katon-Karagay will become pivot villages with a high standard of living. The district plans to develop telemedicine and open new outpatient clinics. New kindergartens and public spaces will also be established. The goal is to provide 100% access to basic amenities and increase the average life expectancy to 75 years, creating the conditions to attract new residents. The "cradle" of the Turkic peoples will receive a unified architectural style and design code.
- Environment. Katon-Karagay will become the first net-zero emission territory in Kazakhstan. The program implies a complete ban on the use of plastic and coal heating, as well as restricting entry for vehicles with internal combustion engines in favor of electric vehicles.
Natives of the region have actively joined the strategy's implementation, becoming members of the board of trustees of the Sustainable Development Fund of the Katon-Karagay District. They all believe that joining forces will transform Katon-Karagay into one of the world's spiritual centers, boasting high human capital and fully meeting Green Destinations standards.
