Kassym-Jomart Tokayev instructed to include the Ustyurt plateau and underground mosques in western Kazakhstan in the UNESCO World Heritage List. According to the President, membership in the committee at the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization opens up new opportunities for our country that can and should be used.
![](https://qazaqculture.com/storage/app/media/uploaded-files/1711269247181.png)
"Altyn-Emel and Barsakelmes are already included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. It is necessary to continue work in this direction, which has great spiritual and cultural significance. There are many unique natural and historical sites in our country. One of such unique places, our national pride is the Ustyurt plateau. Its fascinating views are of particular interest to tourists, attract famous foreign photographers who want to capture picturesque shots," the President said, speaking at the National Kurultai.
![](https://qazaqculture.com/storage/app/media/uploaded-files/1711269263551.png)
Also, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev paid special attention to underground mosques, there are more than two dozen of them in the west of Kazakhstan. They were built in different periods and differ from each other in their characteristic features. This suggests that our people had original spiritual traditions with deep roots.
![](https://qazaqculture.com/storage/app/media/uploaded-files/1711269280774.png)
"We must carefully preserve and promote our unique natural landscapes and our historical and cultural heritage at the global level. I instruct the authorized bodies, together with the National Commission, to begin work on the inclusion of these sites in the UNESCO World Heritage List," the President said.
During the kuryltai, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev also recalled that our country is not accidentally called the "country of petroglyphs".
" The Eshkiolmes Ridge is one of the largest clusters of petroglyphs in Eurasia. Many ancient drawings have been preserved in the tracts of Arpaozen, Kulzhabasy, Sauiskandyk. These rock art monuments represent a thousand-year chronicle of the steppe civilization. In recent years, some petroglyphs have been destroyed under the pretext of the needs of the construction industry. We must protect our unique historical sites from destruction. I instruct the competent authorities to take all necessary measures for this. If necessary, it is necessary to consider making appropriate changes to the legislation," Tokayev summed up.