President Tokayev - The Times Of Central Asia

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Parliament

Kazakhstan Weighs a Unicameral Future: Tokayev’s Call to Scrap the Senate

One of the most debated elements of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s annual address to the nation was his proposal for sweeping parliamentary reform. Tokayev suggested a return to a unicameral legislature, mirroring the single-chamber Supreme Council of the early post-independence years. “I personally had the honor of leading the Senate for ten years, and I have always regarded this work as a great privilege and responsibility,” Tokayev stated. “That’s why it is not easy for me to speak about parliamentary reform from this podium. Nevertheless, today I propose that in the foreseeable future, Kazakhstan consider creating a unicameral Parliament.” Tokayev went on to propose holding a national referendum on the issue in 2027. From Supreme Council to Bicameralism: Lessons of a Political Crisis The Supreme Council of the 13th convocation, elected in March 1994, quickly fell into conflict with then-President Nursultan Nazarbayev. Citing a constitutional discrepancy, Nazarbayev dissolved the council in March 1995, leaving Kazakhstan without a legislative body until December of that year. Kazakhstan’s current bicameral system, comprising the Mazhilis (lower house) and the Senate (upper house), emerged as a response to that political crisis. Initially, the Mazhilis included both party-list and independent candidates, though the system later shifted toward proportional representation. In 2022, the mixed system was reinstated, allowing for majority candidates once again. The Senate, meanwhile, has historically served to counterbalance the more agile Mazhilis. Senators are chosen through regional maslikhat voting or appointed directly by the president, a practice introduced under Nazarbayev. Critics argue this has enabled the central government to neutralize local dissent or sideline bureaucrats by sending them to a largely ceremonial upper chamber. The Senate’s inertia became especially problematic during past confrontations between the executive branch and parts of the Mazhilis. In 2001-2002, then Prime Minister Tokayev even threatened to resign unless Nazarbayev dismissed several cabinet members linked to the reformist Democratic Choice of Kazakhstan (QDT). Facing mounting political pressure, Nazarbayev promptly removed officials, including Deputy Prime Minister Oraz Jandosov and Deputy Defense Minister Jannat Ertlesova, among others. That political standoff, clearly not forgotten by Tokayev, may explain his desire to simplify the legislative structure and reduce expenses tied to maintaining the Senate. Reform Proposal Met with Mixed Reactions Kazakh media and political experts were quick to weigh in on the announcement. Most agreed on two points: the Senate has long been criticized, and Tokayev remains committed to opening up major reforms to public debate. Still, the initial wave of enthusiasm quickly gave way to more cautious analyses. Political scientist Daniyar Ashimbayev expressed concerns on his Telegram channel about regional representation in a purely party-list system. He noted that bicameralism is not exclusive to federal states and pointed out that Kazakhstan’s diverse regions have varying interests requiring nuanced representation. According to Ashimbayev, the Senate has functioned as a "collective lobbyist" and as a "social elevator" for regional elites. Single-mandate deputies, he argued, have also served similar functions. This critique highlights a less-discussed element of Tokayev’s reform: eliminating majority-elected deputies, a key feature of the...

Caspian Sea

Kazakhstan Initiates International Program to Save the Caspian Sea

The ongoing shallowing of the Caspian Sea is no longer a national issue, it is emerging as a significant international challenge. Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev emphasized that the crisis requires collective action and the adoption of an intergovernmental program. Since the early 2000s, the Caspian Sea’s water level has been steadily declining. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, by the summer of 2025, the sea had fallen below 29 meters relative to global sea level, marking a historic low. The northern basin, which borders Russia and Kazakhstan, is drying up particularly rapidly, due in large part to decreased flow from the Volga River. This is not the first time Kazakhstan has raised concerns about the Caspian Sea on the international stage. According to Tokayev, “the need to develop an intergovernmental program to preserve the Caspian Sea has matured.” The president believes that participation should extend beyond the five littoral states, Russia, Iran, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, and Kazakhstan, to include other nations invested in the region’s environmental health. He recalled that during his visit to China in early September, he proposed the creation of a specialized international organization. “This is not only a problem for one country, but for a number of states,” Tokayev stressed in his annual address to the nation. At the same time, the president acknowledged that Kazakhstan faces its own internal water management challenges. Losses in some irrigation and water channels reach 50-60%, and resource accounting is still being carried out using outdated technologies. “As for the culture of conserving natural resources, especially water, we must admit that we have big problems here: as they say, the horse didn’t lie down,” Tokayev remarked. To address these issues, he proposed creating a unified digital platform for water resources, powered by artificial intelligence. This platform would enable accurate hydrogeological monitoring and the development of a national water balance. Tokayev said this system would provide the foundation for a long-term water policy and help attract investment into the sector. Tokayev also stressed that environmental safety should become part of Kazakhstan’s national ideology. He highlighted the ongoing Taza Kazakhstan (“Clean Kazakhstan”) initiative, which began in 2024. Under this project, approximately 860,000 hectares of land have been cleaned and over 4 million trees planted. “If such active work continues, Kazakhstan will become a truly green country, an inspiring example and a valuable legacy for future generations,” Tokayev said. He also called for the introduction of a unified standard for environmental education, from schools to universities.

Digitalization

Kazakhstan to Establish Ministry for AI Development, Digital Code, and Crypto Asset Fund

In his annual address to the people of Kazakhstan, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev identified digitalization and artificial intelligence (AI) as key priorities for the country’s development. The president announced a series of institutional and legislative initiatives aimed at positioning Kazakhstan at the forefront of the global technological transformation. Tokayev emphasized that digitalization and AI should form the foundation for modernizing both the national economy and the system of public administration. He instructed the government to establish a dedicated ministry to oversee the development and regulation of artificial intelligence tools. “The new ministry should be headed by a specialist at the level of deputy prime minister,” Tokayev said. Currently, the Ministry of Digital Development, Innovation, and Aerospace Industry is the state body responsible for digitalization in Kazakhstan. The new ministry is expected to be created on its basis. In addition, Tokayev called for the development of a dedicated legal framework to support the large-scale adoption of AI. “The government is tasked with ensuring the total implementation of artificial intelligence to modernize all areas of the economy. As a first step, the adoption of the Digital Code should be accelerated,” Tokayev stated. According to Tokayev, the Digital Code will serve as a foundational document outlining Kazakhstan’s strategic directions for digitalization. It will address issues related to artificial intelligence, the platform economy, big data usage, and other areas central to integrating Kazakhstan into the global digital economy. Tokayev also announced plans to establish a state fund for digital assets, based on the investment corporation of the National Bank. “This fund will accumulate a strategic crypto reserve from the most promising assets of the new digital financial order,” he explained. He stressed the urgency of building a comprehensive ecosystem for digital assets and highlighted the importance of integrating the digital tenge, recently launched in Kazakhstan, into financing mechanisms provided by the National Fund. "Despite global instability, we have taken a decisive step into the era of total digitalization and artificial intelligence. My main mission is to ensure the stable socio-economic development and security of Kazakhstan in these turbulent and dangerous times,” Tokayev said. “The rapid development of artificial intelligence is already influencing people’s worldviews and behavior, especially among young people. There is no alternative, as this process is radically changing the world order and the way of life of all humanity. Therefore, I have set the strategically important task of transforming Kazakhstan into a fully-fledged digital country within three years." As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, Kazakhstan in July launched alem.cloud, the most powerful supercomputer cluster in Central Asia, designed to support the development and implementation of artificial intelligence technologies.

War in Ukraine

Astana’s Delicate Role in Ukraine Peace Efforts

Despite its close economic, historical, and cultural ties with Russia, Kazakhstan has maintained constructive relations with Ukraine since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022. That diplomatic balance was on display again on August 10, when President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to discuss prospects for a peace agreement. According to official sources, Ukraine initiated the call, and Tokayev reaffirmed Kazakhstan’s “unconditional interest in establishing a lasting peace in Ukraine based on the principles of international law.” Astana supports a “joint search for a peaceful solution on a fair basis” and consistently advocates compliance with the UN Charter, the inviolability of borders, and the territorial integrity of sovereign states. Kazakh political analyst Marat Shibutov has suggested that Zelenskyy is seeking support ahead of a potential shift in the confrontation with Russia. “On the eve of the meeting between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin in Alaska, Zelenskyy is calling the leaders of other countries. He is seeking not only to secure better conditions for Ukraine, but also to understand what his personal political future holds. Yesterday, he spoke with Macron, Meloni, Tusk, Stubb, von der Leyen, Sánchez, and Starmer. Today, he spoke with Swedish Prime Minister Kristersson, Ilham Aliyev, and President Tokayev,” Shibutov wrote. According to Shibutov, Zelenskyy emphasized European support for Ukraine’s participation in negotiations. However, Tokayev, an experienced diplomat, may have cautioned that the outcome of the U.S.-Russia talks is unpredictable. “They depend on domestic politics,” Shibutov noted. “In the U.S., Trump’s electorate wants an end to the war and military aid to Ukraine halted, while many in Russia want Ukraine’s complete defeat and elimination as a state. In such conditions, Ukraine will have to make concessions. Territorial integrity is good, but not at the cost of the state’s very existence.” The official statement from Tokayev’s office cited the old proverb: “A bad peace is better than a good war.” Support During the War On March 6, 2022, shortly after Russia’s full-scale invasion, an anti-war rally was held in Almaty. Participants carried Ukrainian flags, blue-and-yellow balloons, and anti-war posters. That same month, Kazakhstan sent humanitarian aid worth more than $2 million, including 25 types of medical supplies weighing 82 tons. Volunteers also collected food, hygiene products, medicines, and animal feed worth 150 million tenge. Kazakh entrepreneurs delivered aid and generators to Ukrainian hospitals. In the summer of 2023, a Kazakh company helped repair a medical facility in Mykolaiv damaged by Russian shelling. The installation of “yurts of indestructibility” in war-affected Ukrainian cities also gained wide recognition. In Kyiv alone, more than 100,000 people visited such a yurt to charge phones, warm up, and enjoy free Kazakh national dishes. Only According to the UN Charter Kazakhstan’s deep economic ties with Russia include oil and gas transit, gasoline supplies, and imports of food and medicine. The two countries share the world’s second-longest land border, spanning 4,750 miles. Cooperation on transboundary rivers is also critical. In contrast, Kazakhstan’s links with Ukraine are modest, consisting largely of historical ties and family connections. Pre-war trade...

Politics

Tokayev Awarded Ninth-Degree Black Belt in Taekwondo

On Tuesday, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev was awarded a ninth-degree black belt, the highest distinction in taekwondo, by Chungwon Choue, president of World Taekwondo (WT), during his visit to Astana. The WT president arrived in Kazakhstan to attend the Kazakhstan Open 2025, an international G-1 ranking tournament taking place from August 14-16. More than 750 athletes from 22 countries will compete in three age categories: cadets, juniors, and adults. On the eve of the tournament, Tokayev presented Choue with the Order of Dostyk, Second Class, in recognition of his contribution to the global development of taekwondo. In return, Choue awarded the Kazakh leader the ninth-degree black belt, symbolizing the highest level of skill and knowledge in the sport. Tokayev said Choue’s visit was a significant event for Kazakhstan’s sporting community and reaffirmed World Taekwondo’s readiness to support the discipline’s growth in the country. Hosting major international competitions in Astana, he noted, will create new opportunities for Kazakhstani athletes and strengthen the national federation’s position. Earlier, Choue met with Gennady Golovkin, President of the National Olympic Committee of Kazakhstan, to discuss the future of taekwondo in the country. The WT president announced that e-Taekwondo will be added to the Youth Olympic Games and continental championships from 2026. Kazakhstan has already secured the right to host the Grand Prix Final in 2026 and is preparing a bid for the 2027 World Championships. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, Taekwondo has been part of the Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games program and has featured in both the Olympic and Paralympic Games since 2000.

CICA

CICA Headquarters Officially Inaugurated in Astana

Kazakhstan marked a milestone in its diplomatic history with the official opening of the headquarters of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia (CICA) in Astana. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev presided over the ceremony, calling it a moment of “symbolic and strategic importance.” CICA, a multilateral forum aimed at enhancing peace, security, and cooperation across Asia, was founded on October 5, 1992, at the initiative of Kazakhstan’s first President, Nursultan Nazarbayev. He proposed the creation of a pan-Asian platform during the 47th session of the UN General Assembly. Today, CICA comprises 28 member states, with 10 additional countries and five international organizations, including the United Nations, holding observer status. Its executive body, the CICA Secretariat, is now permanently based in Kazakhstan’s capital. Speaking at the June 2025 inauguration, President Tokayev highlighted the organization’s enduring relevance amid rising global tensions. “More than three decades ago, Kazakhstan initiated the creation of the CICA, an initiative that received broad international support as a timely step towards strengthening regional stability and security,” he said. “Today, when geopolitical tensions are intensifying, the principles of trust, mutual understanding, and dialogue are becoming particularly relevant. The CICA, covering almost 90% of Asia's territory and representing more than half of the world's population, plays an important role in shaping the new architecture of international relations.” Tokayev emphasized the need for a renewed commitment to multilateralism and the rules-based international order. “Force is increasingly replacing legal principles. In these circumstances, it is particularly important that all states unconditionally adhere to international law and the UN Charter, without resorting to selective interpretation,” he stated. He also reaffirmed Kazakhstan’s domestic reform agenda and its vision for regional integration. “We are actively modernizing our transport and logistics infrastructure, railways, highways, and seaports, in cooperation with international partners. This is critically important both for domestic growth and for ensuring the sustainability of regional supply chains,” he noted. Digital transformation was another focal point of Tokayev’s address. “We are striving to build a digital state in which AI will be a driver of innovation, growth, and digital sovereignty. Kazakhstan is forming a sustainable, environmentally responsible economy integrated into global value chains,” he said. The broader geopolitical climate, including ongoing instability in the Middle East, has further highlighted the need for cooperative mechanisms like CICA. As The Times of Central Asia previously reported, the escalating conflict between Iran and Israel, both CICA members, risks disrupting vital trade and transport routes in Central Asia’s southern corridor. The opening of CICA’s headquarters thus reinforces Kazakhstan’s longstanding ambition to serve as a platform for dialogue and diplomacy in an increasingly polarized world.