Archives of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan:
A Practical Overview

Archival affairs in Central Asia play a crucial role in preserving historical memory and advancing scholarly research, particularly in the post-Soviet space. In Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, archives not only store millions of documents but actively support academic inquiry through digitization, international cooperation, and targeted programs. As of 2025, both countries demonstrate significant progress in modernizing their archival systems, making them more accessible to researchers.

Kazakhstan: The “Archive-2025” Program as a Driver of Research

Kazakhstan has an extensive network of more than 220 state archival institutions, including the Central State Archive of the Republic of Kazakhstan (CSA RK) in Almaty, the National Archive in Astana, and specialized repositories such as the Central State Archive of Film, Photo Documents and Sound Recordings. The cornerstone of current archival policy is the state program “Archive-2025,” launched in 2018 at the initiative of First President Nursultan Nazarbayev as part of his article “Seven Facets of the Great Steppe.” This seven-year initiative aims to conduct fundamental research in domestic and foreign archives—from antiquity to the present—in order to modernize historical consciousness and study the ethnogenesis, geography, and culture of the Great Steppe.

The program emphasizes search-and-research expeditions involving orientalists, historians, and archivists who work with archives in Russia, Europe, and Asia. By 2025, thousands of paleographic materials, written sources, maps, and artifacts have been collected and analyzed, enabling the reconstruction of Kazakh history. A notable recent event was the republican conference “Archive-2025: Archival Legacy” held on November 6, 2025, in Astana, organized by the National Archive under the Ministry of Culture and Information. It brought together experts to discuss digitization and comprehensive implementation plans for “Archive-2025.”

Archival research in Kazakhstan is rapidly digitizing: the CSA electronic archive provides access to digitized documents, while the Archive of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan engages in international cooperation, including recent exchanges with Uzbekistan and Iran (August 2025). In Almaty, the “Unified Archive of Electronic Documents” is being implemented, greatly facilitating access for genealogists and historians. These initiatives not only preserve heritage but also stimulate interdisciplinary research ranging from the history of independence to anthropology.

Uzbekistan: From Declassification to Digital Access

Uzbekistan’s archival system comprises 17 central archives and 86 regional branches managed by the “Uzarchive” Agency. Key institutions include the Central State Archive of the Republic of Uzbekistan (CSA RUz), the Central State Archive of Film, Photo and Audio Documents (CSA FFAD RUz), and the Central State Archive of Scientific-Technical and Medical Documentation (CSA STMD RUz), which hold materials on the Silk Road, the Soviet period, and independence.

Archival research in Uzbekistan underscores documents as the “undying memory of history.” In recent years, especially around the 75th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War (2020), thousands of previously classified files were declassified—more than 600 pages from 264 storage units covering 1941–1945. This opened new avenues for studying the Uzbek people’s contribution to the war, including the creation of the dedicated website xotira.archive.uz with digitized materials. By 2025, the Agency continues to enrich the portals archive.uz and guides.archive.uz, offering online catalogs for researchers.

Access remains regulated: Uzbek citizens apply through One-Stop Public Service Centers, while foreigners submit requests via the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, specifying the research topic. This ensures purposeful academic use of documents in fields such as the role of Tashkent museums during the Soviet era or genealogy. In the near future, a public website is planned to launch, allowing online viewing (but not downloading) of digitized materials, further boosting international research. Archives are also integrated into the my.gov.uz platform for issuing certificates on work experience, salary, and education, facilitating both social and historical inquiries.

Conclusion

Overall, the archives of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan are evolving from mere repositories into dynamic platforms for scientific discovery, fostering regional research on shared history. For in-depth study, researchers are encouraged to use official portals and leverage growing international partnerships, such as the recent experience-sharing between the Archive of the President of Kazakhstan and Uzbek counterparts. This work not only preserves the past but shapes the future of historical scholarship in Central Asia.

If you're working on a research project that demands access to Russian or post-Soviet archival collections — whether for academic, journalistic, or personal purposes — our team is here to help. With on-site specialists, deep knowledge of archival systems, and experience navigating institutional procedures, we can assist you in uncovering the sources that matter.

Just reach out — and we’ll take it from there.