We have become not only an oil-producing country, but also a knowledge-producing nation — and we must continue to grow in that direction.

 SDG-16 What does the draft Constitution contain? Since our field is education and science, we examined the document to see what provisions relate to these areas. It turns out that the draft Constitution prioritizes education and science, as well as culture and innovation, as key directions of state policy.

Let us look at the text. Article 3, Clause 2 of Section I, titled “Fundamentals of the Constitutional Order,” states:
“…the state recognizes the development of human capital, education, science, and innovation as a strategic direction of its activities.”

For the first time, the state explicitly defines education and science as strategic priorities. In my view, this is a highly welcome development for the country’s scientific community.

How was it before? Frankly speaking, this sector did not have strategic status. According to official statistics, only 0.16% of GDP is allocated to science — not even reaching one percent. In comparison, Israel allocates 5.56% of its GDP to research and development, while South Korea allocates 4.93%. Therefore, granting science strategic importance at the constitutional level marks a significant milestone in the country’s socio-economic development. It would not be an exaggeration to call this a turning point in state policy.

Elevating science and education to constitutional priority signals that the nation’s future lies not in natural resources, but in human capital, knowledge, and intellectual achievements. In this sense, the draft Constitution responds to the fundamental question: “What is the state for, and whom does it serve?”

Until now, the national economy has largely relied on natural resources. However, natural wealth is finite. The only truly sustainable and renewable resource is human capital. That is why prioritizing education and science in the new Constitution is critically important. A country’s intellectual potential is the only resource that can continuously renew itself and grow dynamically with proper investment.

The inclusion of Clause 3 in Article 1 of the draft Constitution demonstrates the state’s intention to transform from an “oil-producing” nation into a “knowledge-producing” one.

If adopted, the draft Constitution could enable more effective solutions in areas such as increasing research funding to a meaningful share of GDP, ensuring academic freedom, providing tax incentives for startups and technology parks, and turning creative industries into key drivers of economic growth.