September 25, 2023 the opening of the XXII International scientific-practical conference "Ethno-demographic processes in Kazakhstan and adjacent territories" took place, which has been the oldest continuously operating scientific-discussion platform in Kazakhstan. The conference lasts two days and takes place in two locations: in the House of Friendship, the center of social harmony of the Department of Public Development of East Kazakhstan, on the first day and in the East Kazakhstan Technical University named after D. Serikbayev. D. Serikbayev on the second day.

At the opening of the conference with a welcoming speech to the participants, Vice-Rector for Strategic Development of East Kazakhstan State Technical University Ertai Sultan addressed the veterans who stood at the origins of this scientific event and made a significant contribution to the history of the conference:

• L.V. Stolyarova, candidate of philosophical sciences, vice-rector for socio-economic issues of East Kazakhstan State Technical University named after D. Serikbayev in 1990s;
• I.A. Poltaranin, candidate of historical sciences, veteran of East Kazakhstan State University named after S. Amanzholov;
• and L.B. Shik, head of the secretariat of the Assembly of the People of East Kazakhstan State Technical University, honorary citizen of Ust-Kamenogorsk city.

Among those who greeted the beginning of the conference were our foreign partners - Marc Elie, Deputy Director of the National Center for Scientific Research (Paris, France); Tomasz Kucera, Professor of the Department of Geodemography and Demography at Charles University (Prague, Czech Republic); Zhamoykat Omurova, Ph.D., Professor, Head of the Department of Regional and Kyrgyz Studies at the Kyrgyz National University named after J. Balasagyn (Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic).

Eldar Toleubekov, Director of the KSU "House of Friendship - Center of Public Harmony of the Department of Public Development of the East-Kazakhstan region", confirmed a significane of the work of the conference and wished further successful implementations.

The plenary part included five reports on the latest research in the field of demography, ethnodemography, sociology and demographic history of ethnic groups. They were presented by Ayaulym Zarlykanovna Sagynbaeva, doctoral student at Charles University, Master of Demography (Astana, Kazakhstan); Konstantin Vadimovich Grigorichev, Doctor of Sociology, Vice-Rector for Research and International Activities, Irkutsk State University (Irkutsk, Russia); Leonid Blyakher, Doctor of Philosophy, Professor of the Higher School of Social and Political Sciences, Pacific State University (Khabarovsk, Russia), Turatbek Syrdybaev, Candidate of Historical Sciences, Associate Professor, Director of the Institute of History and Regional Studies of the Kyrgyz National University named after J. Balasagyn (Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic).

On behalf of the conference organizers, Zhanna Aubakirova, candidate of historical sciences, associate professor, head of the international research center "DIGITAL SOCIAL RESEARCH" of D. Serikbayev VKTU (Ust-Kamenogorsk, Kazakhstan) presented "The main directions of demographic development of Kazakhstan: trends and prospects" and delivered the achievements of the research center team "DSR" and plans for further development. An exhibition of scientific works of the ISRC "DSR" was organized within the framework of the conference. The presentation of the recently published 2-volume edition "Modernization of fertility in Kazakhstan: socio-cultural aspect" and the final analytical report on the results of sociological research 2021-2023 "Regional peculiarities of reproductive behavior of urban Kazakhs" took place.

In the afternoon the conference continued with the session "Migrations and socio-demographic transformations in the context of urbanization".

On September 26, sessions were held in the following areas: "Reproductive culture of urban Kazakhs in the socio-demographic dimension"; ‘Retrospective studies as a basis for the study of modern socio-demographic processes'; ‘Sociological dimension of demographic processes: the potential of comparativistics'; ‘Ethno-cultural processes and intercultural dialog in the context of demographic development'.

In total, more than 50 reports were submitted for participation in the conference, covering various research areas and reflecting the active development of interdisciplinary research space.

The conference is the final result of the grant project "Regional peculiarities of reproductive behavior of urban Kazakh women: trends and prospects", funded by the Committee of Science of the Ministry of Science and Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan (grant AP09260600).

ISRC "DSR"