President Tokayev - The Times Of Central Asia

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Anti-Corruption

Kazakhstan Transfers Anti-Corruption Authority to National Security Committee

Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has signed a decree dissolving the country’s standalone Anti-Corruption Agency and transferring its functions to the National Security Committee (NSC), in what officials describe as a move to modernize and streamline public administration. According to the decree, the Anti-Corruption Agency, previously a direct presidential subordinate tasked with both strategic and operational anti-corruption efforts, will now be integrated into the NSC as its sixth division. It joins the ranks of other specialized units including the Border Service, Foreign Intelligence Service, Government Communications Service, Special Division “A” (special forces), and the Aviation Service. Some responsibilities, particularly those involving the development and implementation of anti-corruption policy, interagency coordination, and public outreach, will be transferred to the Agency for Civil Service Affairs. That agency will also absorb part of the former Anti-Corruption Agency’s staff and resources. “In order to modernize and improve the efficiency of the public administration system, I hereby decree: to reorganize the Anti-Corruption Agency by merging it with the National Security Committee...” the decree states. The Anti-Corruption Agency was created in 2014 as the successor to the Agency for Combating Economic and Corruption Crimes, also known as the financial police, which had operated since 1994. Throughout its existence, the agency reported directly to the president and was central to the country’s efforts to combat corruption, from policy design to investigations. Under the decree, the NSC must draft new regulations for the anti-corruption division and submit personnel redistribution proposals, particularly concerning the Agency for Civil Service Affairs, within one month. Additionally, the government has until September 1, 2025, to prepare and submit a bill to parliament reflecting the institutional changes. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, President Tokayev recently launched a broad reform initiative targeting the entire law enforcement system. The incorporation of anti-corruption functions into the NSC may thus represent only the first phase of a wider restructuring.

Law Enforcement

Kazakhstan Launches Sweeping Reform of Law Enforcement System

President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has announced a major reform of Kazakhstan’s law enforcement system, signaling a new phase in his broader political modernization agenda. Experts view the initiative as a natural progression of his previous institutional reforms. Crime Rates Decline, But Challenges Remain At an expanded meeting of law enforcement agencies on June 23, President Tokayev tasked his administration and the Security Council with conducting a comprehensive analysis of the sector within one week. The resulting report is expected to openly identify shortcomings and offer targeted solutions. Tokayev noted that since 2019, Kazakhstan's streets have become "calmer and safer." Overall, criminal offenses have nearly halved. Robberies, thefts, and hooliganism have decreased fourfold, and the murder rate has dropped by 30%. Crimes in public places have declined by 80%. The president also highlighted progress in combating domestic violence. A 2024 law introduced harsher penalties, contributing to a 30% decrease in crimes against women and children in 2025. Over five years, crimes violating women’s rights have halved. “The most important thing is that public awareness is changing. Our citizens show zero tolerance for cruelty and tyranny in the family. Victims of aggression and violence receive the necessary support,” Tokayev said. Law enforcement agencies also intensified operations against drug-related crime this year. Eighty-three drug laboratories were dismantled, and drug seizures rose by 84%. Sentences for narcotics production have been strengthened, including the possibility of life imprisonment. Despite progress, Tokayev acknowledged persistent gaps that pose risks to national security. Economic Transparency and Anti-Corruption Measures The share of the shadow economy has declined from 23% of GDP in 2019 to 16%. While the figure remains high, Tokayev emphasized that the government continues to support law-abiding entrepreneurs while addressing unjustified criminal prosecutions of domestic businesses. The president also underscored that the General Prosecutor’s Office is monitoring hundreds of infrastructure projects involving foreign investment, totaling 34 trillion tenge ($66 million). Anti-corruption efforts remain a cornerstone of Tokayev’s agenda. Court-ordered funds confiscated from corrupt officials have financed public infrastructure: over the past three years, 150 billion tenge have been allocated to build 89 schools. Amnesty and Penal Reform In honor of the 30th anniversary of Kazakhstan’s Constitution, Tokayev announced an amnesty for more than 15,000 inmates. The clemency applies primarily to women, minors, and the elderly. Excluded are those convicted of corruption, terrorism, extremism, sexual crimes against minors, and other grave offenses. Tokayev noted several recent judicial reforms, including the creation of a Constitutional Court, expanded powers for the human rights commissioner, and the abolition of the death penalty. The president also advocated for adopting international best practices in rehabilitating convicts. “Their return to normal life will be the best proof of the success of prison reform,” he said, citing international models where inmates can earn “credits” toward early release through good behavior, education, and participation in cultural and athletic programs. Tokayev called on local entrepreneurs to open production facilities in correctional institutions. “Such mutually beneficial partnerships are widespread abroad. The money earned will allow convicts to get back...

President Tokayev

Kazakhstan Aims to Revive Investment Appeal Amid Global Headwinds

Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has convened the 37th plenary session of the Foreign Investors Council, reaffirming its strategic role in ensuring the country’s economic sustainability and attracting international capital. Operating for over two decades, the council continues to serve as a vital platform for dialogue between the state and global business leaders. Despite global headwinds, sluggish GDP growth, inflation, and disrupted supply chains, Kazakhstan has shown economic resilience. According to Tokayev, the country’s GDP grew by 6% in the first five months of 2025, driven by gains in transport, logistics, construction, trade, mining, and manufacturing. New Tools to Support Investors Tokayev announced the creation of an Investment Task Force, which has resolved issues surrounding 137 projects totaling $70 billion. To safeguard investors from undue inspections and state pressure, a “prosecutor’s filter” has been introduced. Kazakhstan has also launched a National Digital Investment Platform, providing integrated government services through a single portal. A revised Tax Code, now under Senate review, proposes incentives for exporters and producers of high-value goods. [caption id="attachment_33266" align="aligncenter" width="2560"] Image: akorda[/caption] Sectoral Focus: Mining, Manufacturing, and Logistics Mining remains a key economic pillar, with major international players such as Rio Tinto, Fortescue, Ivanhoe Mines, First Quantum, and Teck Resources establishing operations in the country. The proposed tax reforms aim to stimulate the domestic processing of raw materials. In industrial production, firms like Alstom, Stadler, and Wabtec are investing in rolling stock, manufacturing, and maintenance. Wabtec, meanwhile, is planning a $200 million investment in alternative fuel technologies. Kazakhstan also ranks among the world's top grain exporters and holds the sixth-largest area of agricultural land. Multinationals, including PepsiCo, Fufeng Group, and Dalian Hesheng, are investing in the agro-industrial sector, enhancing both value-added production and technology adoption. The nation has initiated large-scale infrastructure projects: by 2029, it aims to reconstruct 11,000 km of railways and build 5,000 km of new highways. Key segments include Dostyk-Moyinty, Bakhta-Ayagoz, and Altynkol-Zhetigen. In 2025 alone, more than 13,000 km of roadworks are also scheduled. Terminal expansions at Almaty, Kyzylorda, and Shymkent airports have also been completed, increasing their combined capacity sixfold. Digital Future and Artificial Intelligence Kazakhstan now ranks among the top 30 countries in digitalization, according to the United Nations. Over 4,000 entities, including cryptocurrency exchanges, are registered with the Astana-based MCCE. Tokayev announced the launch of a CryptoCity pilot zone, enabling real-world digital currency transactions. With over 89% of transactions now cashless, Kazakhstan is positioning artificial intelligence as a cornerstone of its digital sovereignty and future competitiveness. [caption id="attachment_33267" align="aligncenter" width="2560"] Image: akorda[/caption] Foreign Investment Challenges The forum featured remarks from key international stakeholders, including EBRD President Odile Renaud-Basso, ADB Vice President Bhargav Dasgupta, and representatives from VEON, CNPC, and Alstom, as well as Kazakhstan’s Minister of Industry, Yersay Nagaspayev, and the Head of the Association of Foreign Investors, Erlan Dosymbekov. However, Tokayev’s pro-investment declarations come amid sobering data. For the first time in three decades, Kazakhstan lost its lead in Central Asia for foreign direct investment (FDI). According to the United...

Energy

Tokayev: Kazakhstan Ready to Supply Oil, Gas, and Uranium to Slovakia

Kazakhstan is prepared to begin supplying hydrocarbons and nuclear raw materials to Slovakia, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev announced following talks with Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico in Astana. Speaking at a joint press briefing, Tokayev reaffirmed Kazakhstan’s commitment to strengthening ties with Slovakia across both bilateral and multilateral platforms, with particular emphasis on expanding economic cooperation. In 2024, trade between the two countries reached $140 million. According to Tokayev, new opportunities are emerging in sectors such as energy, industrial production, agriculture, logistics, digitalization, critical raw materials, education, and tourism. “Kazakhstan is ready to export oil, gas, uranium, food products, and other goods to Slovakia,” Tokayev said. According to Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Energy, the country exported 68.6 million tons of oil to foreign markets in 2024. This year, exports are projected to increase to 70.5 million tons. The bulk of these exports, 57.05 million tons, will be shipped via the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC). Additional routes include the Atyrau-Samara pipeline (8.8 million tons), the Druzhba pipeline to Germany (1.2 million tons), and the Atasu-Alashankou route to China (1 million tons). Kazakhstan also plans to ship 3.6 million tons of oil through the port of Aktau, with 1.5 million tons continuing via the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline. Following his meeting with Fico, Tokayev also highlighted potential cooperation in military-technical fields. The two leaders discussed leveraging the Trans-Caspian International Transport Corridor, which links China and Europe through Kazakhstan. “I invited our Slovak partners to participate in this project, which could open new horizons for bilateral trade,” Tokayev said. Prime Minister Fico expressed interest in deepening cooperation in both the oil and nuclear energy sectors. “We have five reactors, and a sixth will soon be operational. We’re also planning to purchase a 1.5 MW nuclear power plant. If our Kazakh colleagues are interested, we’re ready to cooperate,” Fico stated. He also noted discussions on utilizing the Druzhba pipeline corridor through Russia and Belarus to supply oil to Slovakia. Meanwhile, Kazakhstan is moving forward with plans for its first nuclear power plant. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, the country’s Atomic Energy Agency is expected to announce by the end of this month which foreign company will be awarded the construction contract.

President Tokayev

President Tokayev: Kazakhstan Charts Its Own Course

In a rare, candid interview with Al Jazeera, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev of Kazakhstan projected a steady, pragmatic vision for his country’s future, portraying it as a stabilizing force amid turbulent global currents. Tokayev explained how his government is navigating complex pressures at home and abroad, from economic modernization and digital transformation to balancing ties with Russia, China, Europe, and the United States. The message was one of controlled ambition: Kazakhstan will not be rushed, but rather steer a measured course of reform and integration, balancing domestic stability with global engagement. Tokayev opened the interview by acknowledging the obstacles facing Kazakhstan’s domestic reforms, notably the global pandemic and the war in Ukraine. These external shocks, he explained, have tested the country’s resilience and delayed the delivery of the “New Kazakhstan” that he promised three years ago. Yet he remained firm in his commitment to a gradual but determined path forward. “We must be frank, we must be pragmatic, but at the same time we need to be very much bold,” he said. Domestically, Tokayev defended his record on political reform, including the legalization of opposition parties and the introduction of a one-term presidency of seven years. “I have already announced that I will step down” in 2029, he said, adding that this was “a demand of my people.” This latter move is unprecedented in the region. Tokayev characterized Kazakhstan’s laws as “quite democratic,” dismissing criticisms from organizations like the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe and Human Rights Watch as biased and detached from the country’s political and historical context. "I don't believe that we should follow recommendations of human rights organizations nowadays," he said, also mentioning foreign funders behind certain NGOs, which he left unnamed. Acknowledging the need for further reforms, particularly in media freedom and civil liberties, Tokayev made clear that stability remains the overriding priority. “Without stability, there will be no reforms, no modernization, no transformation of our society,” he said. Tokayev emphasized Kazakhstan's commitment to a “law and order” strategy to promote greater stability, where the laws fully comply with international standards. Tokayev's remarks on measured progress typify his leadership style, which admits the complexity of transformation while setting pragmatic goals. His program of a “fair and just Kazakhstan” reflects his awareness of domestic discontent with wealth disparities that simmer beneath the surface of economic expansion. The country's economy remains dominated by hydrocarbon fuels, which account for over half of exports. Tokayev’s vision of transforming Kazakhstan into a “non-hydrocarbon country” by 2060 strikes a pragmatic note. “Coal in our domestic energy balance accounts for 73%. We cannot give up coal just overnight,” he said, signaling both realism and the limits of immediate energy transition. The diversification of transport routes — including the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (the Middle Corridor) and the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline — aligns with his goal of mitigating overdependence on Russia and ensuring economic security amid global uncertainty. Tokayev’s foreign policy strikes a careful balance between continuity and adaptation. While acknowledging Kazakhstan’s reliance on...

Digital Development

At AIF, Tokayev Proposes “CryptoCity” as Pilot Zone for Digital Innovation

Kazakhstan plans to establish a pilot zone named "CryptoCity" to facilitate the free circulation of cryptocurrencies, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev announced at the Astana International Forum (AIF). “We plan to create an innovative pilot zone called CryptoCity, where cryptocurrencies can be used to purchase goods, services, and for other purposes,” Tokayev stated. The president highlighted Kazakhstan's progress in digital transformation, positioning the country as a potential Eurasian IT hub. He also outlined ambitions for Kazakhstan to become an academic and innovation center through partnerships with foreign universities and increased research and development. “Kazakhstan is launching the most powerful supercomputer, which has already been delivered to the country,” Tokayev said, referencing a recent agreement between the Ministry of Digital Development, Innovation and Aerospace Industry and Presight AI Ltd. The system, boasting a performance of about 2 exaflops, was developed under a strategic partnership with G42, an Abu Dhabi-based technology group. Cryptocurrency regulation remains a divisive issue in Kazakhstan. While the National Bank supports liberalizing the sector, several members of parliament are advocating for increased state control. Tokayev used the economic forum to reaffirm Kazakhstan's commitment to innovation as a tool for societal development. “Our primary task is to reduce regional disparities and strengthen the middle class. That is why we continue to bolster our capabilities in key sectors, from digital technologies and artificial intelligence to clean energy and high value-added manufacturing,” he said. He also emphasized regional cooperation: “Kazakhstan is ready to share its emerging IT capabilities with its neighbors and collaborate with all countries interested in fostering economic ties.” Reflecting on global trends, Tokayev warned of growing protectionism and weakening multilateralism. “There are different scenarios for the future, some offer opportunities, others harbor risks. Will we see inclusive progress or destructive fragmentation? This depends not on the declarations of a few, but on the cooperation of the majority,” he concluded.