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Government

Kazakhstan Vice President and Prime Minister Approved by Parliament

Kazakhstan has begun its first major round of senior appointments since the new unicameral parliament, the Kurultai, started work. On August 31, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev appointed Erlan Karin as vice president, retained Olzhas Bektenov as prime minister, and moved Aida Balayeva from the cabinet to the Security Council. Karin, who had previously served as first deputy head of the Presidential Administration, was the most significant appointment. The vice presidency in its current form was established under Kazakhstan’s 2026 constitutional reform. The post itself is not entirely new to the country: it existed during the first years of independence before being abolished in 1996. Under the new Constitution, at the president’s instruction, the vice president represents the president in interactions with the Kurultai, the government, and other state bodies. If presidential powers are terminated early, the vice president is first in line to assume them. The Kurultai must announce a presidential election within seven days, with the vote to be held within two months of that decision. Karin’s appointment therefore establishes, for the first time under the new system, who would assume presidential powers if the presidency became vacant before the end of a term. Karin is regarded as one of Tokayev’s closest advisers. He has worked alongside the president since 2019 and has served as presidential adviser, state secretary, state counselor, and first deputy head of the Presidential Administration. The creation of the vice presidency does not establish an independent political center alongside Tokayev. Instead, one of his most experienced political aides has taken the new constitutional office and become first in line to assume presidential powers if the office becomes vacant. Olzhas Bektenov, who has headed the government since February 2024, retained the post of prime minister. The Kurultai approved Bektenov’s candidacy by 137 votes, with seven abstentions and none opposed, after which Tokayev formally reappointed him. Meanwhile, Aida Balayeva left her posts as deputy prime minister and minister of culture and information to become deputy chair of the Security Council. Balayeva has long worked in Kazakhstan’s domestic policy establishment. She has served as an assistant to the president, deputy head of the Presidential Administration, minister of information and social development, and, since 2023, minister of culture and information. She now moves from the government to a body working directly under the president. The Kurultai replaced the Senate and Mazhilis, ending more than 30 years of bicameral parliament in Kazakhstan. All 145 members of the new chamber are elected through party lists. In the first election on August 23, the Adilet party won 71.17% of the vote and secured 110 of the 145 seats. Four other parties cleared the 5% threshold. With 110 seats, Adilet has enough deputies to approve presidential nominees requiring a simple majority without support from other parties. Under the new Constitution, however, the Kurultai has a formal role in senior appointments. Its consent is required for the appointment of both the prime minister and vice president, while most other government appointments follow consultations with the chamber....

Waste Recycling

Italian Firm Explores Waste Recycling Projects in Kyrgyzstan

On February 2, the National Investment Agency under the President of the Kyrgyz Republic hosted representatives from Italian company TRITOR S.R.L., a firm known for its environmentally friendly waste recycling technologies, to discuss potential pilot projects in Kyrgyzstan. The meeting brought together officials from Kyrgyz municipal governments and the Ministry of Health to explore investment opportunities focused on processing municipal solid waste and medical waste. Participants also discussed candidate locations for future recycling facilities. Following the talks, the parties signed a memorandum of cooperation outlining several pilot initiatives. These include the processing of up to 200 tons of unsorted household waste per day, the supply of alternative environmentally friendly fuels to local cement plants, the introduction of modern technologies for landfill reclamation and cleanup, and the development of medical waste recycling systems in public healthcare institutions. Ravshanbek Sabirov, head of the National Investment Agency, underscored the importance of such initiatives for the country. “The problem of waste recycling is particularly acute today, and Kyrgyzstan is interested in implementing modern, environmentally friendly technologies. We value not just ideas but working solutions that can be adapted to local conditions. We are open to cooperation and ready to support such projects at all stages of implementation,” he said. The initiative reflects Kyrgyzstan’s broader push to tackle growing volumes of household and industrial waste through the adoption of advanced, sustainable recycling technologies.

Parliamentary Reform

Kazakhstan Debates Parliamentary Reform as Inflation Pressures Living Standards

The Kazakh government is actively developing the framework for a future unicameral parliament, working to define its status, powers, and functions. Currently, Kazakhstan’s legislative branch consists of two chambers: the Senate and the Mazhilis. The proposed transition to a unicameral system has been positioned by authorities as a step toward democratization. However, many citizens remain unclear about the details and implications of the reform, particularly as inflation and declining living standards dominate public concern. Uncertain Details of Reform In September 2025, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev proposed holding a nationwide referendum on transitioning to a unicameral parliament in 2027. While some analysts have speculated about a faster timeline, no official acceleration beyond 2027 has been announced. "The establishment of a parliamentary republic is not under consideration. The foundational model of a 'Strong President, Influential Parliament, Accountable Government' remains unchanged," Tokayev previously stated. According to political analyst Gaziz Abishev, pivotal developments are expected on January 20, when the National Kurultai (Assembly) convenes. He believes this meeting will outline the contours of constitutional reform and potentially signal a date for the referendum. “If the decree on holding a referendum is signed during the Kurultai, the vote could be held on March 22 [2026],” Abishev stated. Under the current system, the Senate represents regions and appointive quotas, reviewing legislation passed by the Mazhilis and serving as a constitutional buffer. Any move to unicameralism would require redefining how regional interests are represented and how legislative oversight is maintained without an upper chamber. The National Kurultai serves as a platform for dialogue between the government and society, addressing national identity, economic development, social justice, and improving the quality of life. Historically, the Kurultai was a gathering of Turkic and Mongol tribes. Over 500 Public Proposals Submitted Public discussion around the proposed unicameral parliament has been active. Since the launch of a dedicated “Parliamentary Reform” section on the state portals e-Otinish and Egov, over 500 proposals have been submitted by citizens, experts, and public organizations. Despite this engagement, tangible benefits for ordinary citizens remain vague, aside from a potential reduction in government spending. Globally, more than half of national parliaments operate as unicameral systems. According to IPU Parline, 107 out of 188 legislatures follow this model, primarily in unitary states with smaller populations. Unicameral systems are often praised for faster legislative processes, lower administrative costs, and increased transparency. Kazakhstan previously had a unicameral legislature under the 1993 Constitution. Following the invalidation of the 1994 elections, the Supreme Council was dissolved. In 1995, the country transitioned to its current bicameral system. The Senate, as the upper house, plays a stabilizing and arbitration role. Analysts caution that without a second chamber, legislative processes may be vulnerable to hasty or populist decisions. Potential for Early Elections Abishev suggests that a referendum in March 2026 could prompt an early electoral cycle. "Under the current schedule, the next Mazhilis elections are set for January 2028. However, they could be moved up to summer 2026 if Parliament adopts a constitutional amendment package in April...

Kazakh Government Rules Out AI Deputy Ministers

AI will not be occupying senior government posts in Kazakhstan anytime soon. While AI-based tools may serve as advisors and consultants to top officials, there are currently no plans to appoint virtual or digital deputy ministers. This was confirmed by Rostislav Konyashkin, First Deputy Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development. The question arose during a press conference following a cabinet meeting, when journalists referenced Albania’s 2025 decision to appoint a virtual minister for public procurement, the first of its kind globally. They asked whether Kazakhstan was considering a similar initiative. According to Konyashkin, AI systems have not yet reached the level of reliability required for managing official functions. “As political officials, we are responsible for the decisions we make, so the emergence of digital deputy ministers is not expected at this time. When AI provides correct answers in 95-97% of cases, then perhaps we can begin discussing the transfer of some powers to algorithms. For now, we are only talking about AI assisting in analysis and decision-making,” he stated. Konyashkin expressed hope that in the future, personal AI assistants could be developed to the level of full-fledged consultants and advisors, significantly easing the workload of civil servants. Only after practical trials of such systems, he noted, could discussions about formal AI appointments begin. He also pointed to an existing example: the SKAI (Samruk-Kazyna Artificial Intelligence) neural network, which was added to the board of directors at the state holding company Samruk-Kazyna. However, its role remains consultative and does not involve decision-making authority. Konyashkin additionally outlined plans to establish a secure digital environment enabling Kazakh civil servants to work remotely. This includes secure access to work systems via tablets and trusted laptops, particularly during field operations conducted by ministries and akimats. To support this, a unified authorization system is in development, with optional biometric identification for accessing sensitive personal data. There are also plans to integrate various digital tools, video conferencing, messaging platforms, and email, into a single work interface. According to Konyashkin, this will streamline administrative processes and enhance the efficiency of Kazakhstan’s digital infrastructure.

subsoil use

Kazakh Lawmakers Seek Ban on Unscrupulous Mining Companies

Bakytzhan Bazarbek, a member of the Mazhilis, the lower house of Kazakhstan's parliament, has proposed the creation of a national register of unscrupulous subsoil users, calling for companies that violate environmental or legal norms to be suspended from operating at deposits for up to five years. His comments came during parliamentary discussions of proposed amendments to Kazakhstan’s legislation on subsoil and subsoil use, submitted by the government earlier this week. Bazarbek argued that the proposed changes fail to address the industry's systemic problems. Citing satellite monitoring data, Bazarbek said around 2,500 cases of illegal subsoil use have been recorded across the country. He pointed to widespread violations such as unreclaimed land, contaminated soil, and abandoned quarries, problems he attributed to the “excessive liberality” of the current legal framework. “The Subsurface Use Code was pushed through by oligarch lobbyists. It hasn’t fulfilled its intended purpose and was adopted in the interest of a narrow circle, citing models from Australia and Canada. As a result, most extraction revenues go to foreign investors, while the state receives only 7-8%. Why should we adhere to international standards that harm national interests?” Bazarbek said. He called for a registry of violators, where subsoil users found guilty by court could be suspended from mineral extraction activities for up to five years. He also urged stronger criminal penalties for violations in the subsoil sector. “Currently, the punishment is three to seven years. That is too lenient. It should be increased to between three and fifteen years of imprisonment,” he said. Bazarbek further proposed harsher penalties for concealing information and for conducting illegal mining without licenses or contracts, and called for reforms to streamline appeals against decisions by state bodies regulating subsoil use. Government Response Speaking during the plenary session, Vice Minister of Industry and Construction Iran Sharkhan said the government intends to deny licenses to companies that have previously failed to meet financial obligations. “If a company or its affiliates have not paid the subscription bonus after winning an auction in the past five years, they will be barred from receiving a license to explore solid minerals. These companies will also be prevented from acquiring subsoil rights from third parties,” Sharkhan said. He highlighted that a unified digital platform for subsoil use was launched in 2024, automating much of the mineral exploration and extraction process. “Currently, the platform provides 22 public services. Its interactive map indicates zones available for exploration and those closed to issuance, such as settlements, national parks, nature reserves, and defense lands. The system will also manage the turnover of subsoil areas following the termination or liquidation of previous rights,” Sharkhan added. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, Kazakhstan attracted over $150 million in geological exploration investment in 2025 and aims to maintain that level through the end of the year.

Tajikistan’s Government to Introduce AI Browser for Administration

Tajikistan has announced plans to integrate AI into government operations for the first time, aiming to support data-driven decision-making across public administration. The announcement was made at the AI CONF conference in Dushanbe, one of Central Asia’s largest forums focused on AI. During the event, more than 20 agreements and partnerships were signed, totaling over $117 million. The headline development was an agreement between Perplexity AI, Epsilon3.ai, and the Ministry of Industry and New Technologies of Tajikistan to launch the Comet AI Browser, described as the world’s first agent-based AI browser tailored specifically for the public sector. “This collaboration contributes to the formation of a sovereign artificial intelligence ecosystem in the region,” said Epsilon3.ai co-founder Najima Noyoftova. “By combining Perplexity's cutting-edge technology with our experience in creating government AI systems, we are laying the foundation for self-sufficient digital governance and setting a new standard for responsible AI innovation in Central Asia.” The Comet browser will replace manual document search and analysis processes, allowing officials to receive real-time analytical reports and policy recommendations. The goal is to accelerate administrative workflows and improve transparency across ministries. Comet uses natural language processing and deep data analysis to interpret queries, compare sources, and deliver conclusions. It can assist with gathering statistics, drafting regulatory documents, and monitoring procurement activities or economic trends. By automating routine tasks, it is expected to reduce staff workloads and lower the risk of human error. The project’s pilot phase is scheduled for fall 2025, during which 140 employees at the Ministry of Industry will be trained to use the browser. If successful, the platform will be rolled out to additional government agencies in 2026.