Tokayev - The Times Of Central Asia

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Cultural Ties

From Medieval Persia to Modern Kazakhstan: Decolonizing History

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian’s recent visit to Kazakhstan might have appeared routine amid a series of diplomatic engagements by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev in 2025. Yet one element of the visit stood out for Tokayev, a gift of 27 ancient Persian manuscripts, which were immediately put on public display in Astana’s National Museum. Together, the two presidents opened the exhibition titled The History of the Great Steppe in Iranian Sources, highlighting long-standing historical ties between Persian states and the Kazakh steppe. Speaking at a joint briefing, Tokayev emphasized the significance of the manuscripts, which he said contain historical accounts affirming the Kazakhs as a "brave people" and detailing diplomatic relations between the Kazakh khans and Iranian shahs. “Close relations were established between Tauke Khan and Shah Sultan Hussein,” Tokayev noted. “Records show embassies met in Moscow, and the Iranian ambassador visited the Kazakh steppe. Abul Khair Khan sent an envoy to Nadir Shah to foster diplomatic ties,” he said, underlining the depth of historical relations. Tokayev also referenced the cultural and linguistic connections between the two peoples. The taikazan (large ceremonial cauldron) in the mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi in Turkestan, he noted, was crafted by the Iranian master Abdul-Aziz Sharafuddin Tebrizi. Persian has left a linguistic imprint on the Kazakh language, with estimates suggesting Persian-origin words comprise 4% of the vocabulary, including astana (capital), paida (benefit), oraza (fast), and dәri (medicine). Tokayev further cited the Persian epic Shahnameh by Ferdowsi as culturally significant to the peoples of Turan, adding that Kazakh poet Abai was familiar with Persian literature. According to Tokayev, the newly acquired manuscripts contain historical analyses of the socio-economic and political conditions of the 18th-century Kazakh Khanate, including interactions with neighboring powers, records on Turkestan, and reports on Russian imperial activities in the region. The documents also reference resource extraction, coal, iron, copper, lead, and turquoise, on Kazakh territory. [caption id="attachment_40893" align="aligncenter" width="750"] Image: Akorda[/caption] “This is a very valuable gift. We will present this exhibition to the Kazakh public and promote it widely in the media,” Tokayev told reporters. “The documents contain previously unknown historical material. I think this will be useful for our compatriots.” The Ministry of Culture and Information, which organized the exhibition, confirmed that the manuscripts substantiate centuries-old ties between Kazakhstan and Iran, including evidence of trade and diplomatic exchanges along the Silk Road and archival references to intergovernmental negotiations and ambassadorial visits. Tokayev’s enthusiasm for the manuscripts is closely linked to Kazakhstan’s broader effort to “decolonize” its national history. The country is currently preparing a new seven-volume historical account under the editorial leadership of State Advisor Yerlan Karin. This project aims to reposition Kazakhstan not simply as a site of ancient states, but as an independent cultural and political center that influenced the broader region. “Kazakhstan is presented as a hub for civilizational development,” Karin explained. “This is our methodological innovation.” Previously, Kazakhstan’s history was largely framed within the narrative of the Russian Empire and Soviet rule. The current academic effort seeks to...

Agriculture

Tokayev Proposes Linking Farm Subsidies to Advanced Technologies

Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has proposed that state support for farmers be tied to their adoption of advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI). The proposal was made during his speech at the country’s second Agricultural Workers Forum. Tokayev noted that while many farms are already using innovations such as smart farming systems, agricultural drones, satellite monitoring, and AI, technological development at the national level remains uneven. “We must move from isolated ‘smart’ solutions to full-scale digital agricultural production,” Tokayev stated. “Every farm should be incentivized to adopt digital technologies. State support should be directed toward those enterprises implementing innovations, including artificial intelligence.” Tokayev also reported that preferential lending to the agricultural sector has exceeded $1.9 billion in 2025, ten times more than five years ago. He stressed that the adoption of innovative technologies must extend beyond producers to include the regulatory authorities overseeing the agro-industrial sector. “It is necessary to develop an effective system for tracking and controlling state grain reserves using digital technologies and AI tools,” he said. “This requires modernizing existing grain elevators and constructing new, modern facilities. In state-backed financing programs for private elevators, having electronic systems for grain intake and dispatch should be a mandatory requirement.” Tokayev also highlighted persistent issues in agricultural data systems, which he described as fragmented and lacking integration. This, he said, results in policy decisions based on unreliable statistics. He called for comprehensive, objective data to be provided by the upcoming National Agricultural Census, which should serve as the foundation for updating digital infrastructure across the agro-industrial complex. Previously, The Times of Central Asia reported that Kazakhstan achieved a record harvest this year of grains, oilseeds, and legumes.

AI Laboratory

Pavel Durov’s Telegram Launches AI Laboratory at Alem.ai in Astana

Telegram founder Pavel Durov has announced the launch of a dedicated artificial intelligence laboratory in Astana, housed within the newly inaugurated International Artificial Intelligence Center, Alem.ai. The Alem.ai center was officially opened on Thursday during the Digital Bridge 2025 forum in Kazakhstan’s capital. At the opening ceremony, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev described the center as a future global hub for the effective and ethical application of artificial intelligence. The initiative will bring together both domestic and international developers, with Telegram among the first companies to establish operations at the site. “A year ago, we opened our first regional office in Kazakhstan, and today we are pleased to launch a specialized AI laboratory inside Alem.ai,” Durov said. “This is a joint project between Telegram and Kazakhstan’s national supercomputer cluster, established by the Ministry of Artificial Intelligence. The technology will allow more than one billion people to use AI functions privately, transparently, and efficiently. We hope that Kazakhstan’s supercomputer cluster will become the first major provider of computing power for this network.” As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, Kazakhstan launched the region’s most powerful supercomputer earlier this year. At the Digital Bridge 2025 forum, President Tokayev announced plans for a second cluster. On the sidelines of the event, he also met with Pavel Durov to discuss cooperation in education, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity, according to the presidential press service. “The President highly appreciated Telegram’s contribution to advancing Kazakhstan’s digital agenda: the company officially joined Astana Hub, opened an office in Kazakhstan, and launched AI laboratories at Alem.ai,” the statement said. “For his part, Pavel Durov briefed Tokayev on prospects for joint projects in artificial intelligence.” Tokayev also discussed venture investment opportunities and the development potential of Kazakhstani AI startups with Stanford University professor Ilya Strebulaev. In addition, Tokayev held meetings with Omar Al Olama, UAE Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications, and Mansoor Ibrahim Al Mansoori, Chairman of Abu Dhabi’s Department of Health and former COO of G42. The talks focused on expanding Kazakh-Emirati cooperation in AI, including the ongoing Smart City project, which Tokayev called a milestone in bilateral relations. Tokayev also announced plans to establish an Artificial Intelligence University in Kazakhstan, with a strong focus on research and development. According to the presidential press service, he noted the importance of drawing on the UAE’s experience, where the world’s first IT-focused university is already in operation.

Time Zone

Time Zone Turmoil: Kazakhstan’s Shift Sparks Backlash and Political Action

Kazakhstan is preparing to put an end to a year-long debate over its transition to a single time zone (UTC+5). However, opposition to the change has evolved beyond public discontent. Critics, including well-known public figures, are now considering the creation of a political party with the goal of overturning what they argue is one of the most unpopular government decisions in the country’s history. Even a year later, many citizens remain unconvinced of the benefits of the time zone shift, while the government continues to defend it with unwavering determination. Origins of the Controversy Discussions about adopting a single time zone in Kazakhstan have surfaced multiple times over the years. In 2021, the proposal failed to gain widespread approval. However, in the fall of 2023, a clutch of parliamentary deputies once again pushed for unifying the country’s time zones, citing public requests and scientific studies. Supporters of the transition argued that a single time zone would eliminate time barriers between regions, improve transport coordination and business operations, and enhance government and emergency service interactions. Advocates also referred to the Barcelona Declaration on Time Policy (adopted in October 2022), which suggests that maintaining permanent time zones aligned with solar time is beneficial for health, the economy, and safety. Additionally, they pointed out that 175 countries operate within a single time zone, whereas only 22 nations use multiple zones. Despite earlier resistance, the government proceeded with the change. At midnight on March 1, 2024, Kazakhstan moved its clocks one hour back, effectively adopting UTC+5, barring a few regions. Public Backlash and the Petition Movement The reaction was swift. On April 22, 2024, an online petition titled "Return the Time Back" appeared, addressed to President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and key ministers, including those responsible for energy, health, and labor. The petition was also directed to the head of KazNII Oncology and Radiology, though the reason for this remains unclear. Petition organizers listed several negative effects of the time change: Increased darkness during morning and evening hours, impacting public safety and economic activity. Disruptions to biological rhythms leading to fatigue, reduced productivity, and poorer sleep quality. Economic losses, as changes in daylight hours affected certain industries. The petition quickly gathered over 50,000 signatures, compelling the government and parliament to formally consider the issue. On June 21, 2024, an initial public hearing took place, where opponents of the time zone shift voiced their concerns. However, after three rounds of discussions, no changes were made, and Kazakhstan remained in UTC+5. Renewed Opposition in Parliament Despite the government's firm stance, opposition to the change resurfaced in September 2024 when deputies returning from summer recess reported that the time zone issue was the most frequently raised concern among voters. Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov reaffirmed that the decision was final but instructed the Ministry of Health to conduct a three-year study on the impact of UTC+5 on public health. This announcement only fueled opposition claims that the transition was an unwarranted experiment affecting 15 million citizens, the number of people...

Espionage

Bulgarian Spy Ring Attempted to Threaten Kazakh President’s Western Ties

A spy cell in the UK, including five Bulgarian nationals, targeted multiple individuals and locations over nearly three years, according to court documents at the Old Bailey, officially known as the Central Criminal Court of England and Wales. The Bulgarian nationals had stood accused of spying for Russia at the behest of the fugitive Jan Marsalek, the former COO of Wirecard, described by prosecutors as “believed to be linked to the Russian state”. The trial centered around thousands of sinister messages between Marsalek and Bulgarian national Orlin Roussev, who compared himself to the fictional character of ‘Q’ from the James Bond movies, and his “team leader” Bizer Dzhambazov, who managed the other three defendants, all belittlingly referred to as “the minions”. Roussev and Dzhambazov had pleaded guilty to their role in the spy ring prior to the trial. [caption id="attachment_29626" align="aligncenter" width="1600"] The Central Criminal Court of England and Wales; image: TCA, Stephen M. Bland[/caption] The story has all the hallmarks of a Hollywood script: gadgets, beautiful women, and dozens of fake IDs used to rent cars and properties across Europe for various operations. The defendants plotted espionage, psyops, and disinformation campaigns, and even kidnapping and murder, some of which were partially carried out in the UK and across continental Europe, including in Germany, Austria, and Spain, as well as other locations. Messages presented to the court indicate that, beyond their alleged collaboration with the Russian FSB, the gang operated as mercenaries for any party willing to pay. The Bulgarians devised schemes appealing to their purported connections in Russia, Kazakhstan, Serbia, China, Malaysia, and Colombia. Germane to Central Asia, the spy ring engaged in a range of covert activities targeting Kazakhstan. In 2021, they botched a surveillance operation against Bergey Ryskaliyev, a long-time adversary of former President Nursultan Nazarbayev. Ryskaliyev, the former governor of Kazakhstan’s Atyrau region, fled to London after being accused of embezzling hundreds of millions of U.S. dollars and was sentenced in absentia to 17 years in prison for leading an organized criminal group. Targeting Kazakhstan’s President By 2022, the group’s efforts had escalated into an elaborate scheme to influence Western government officials to impose punitive measures against Nazarbayev’s successor, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. The plan began with the creation of an entity designed to lend legitimacy to a fabricated grassroots opposition movement, the inception of which was discussed in Telegram chats between Marsalek and Roussev. “If you have a preferred name… otherwise I will use my imagination and historical facts from the past centuries. Also… how about for the fake company or real company that we register to use some Chess terms…”, Marsalek suggested with regards to naming the NGO. To which Roussev replied: “Let's call it ‘Truth on the Steppes Publishing Ltd.’” The duo would later refer to the entity as “TOTS”. Marsalek agreed, saying, “UK… will be done in a few days… that one I will register tomorrow - UK company ‘Truth on the Steppes Publishing Ltd.’” Shortly after, "Truth on the Steppes Publishing Ltd"...

Economy

Tokayev Outlines Economic Reforms and Calls for Revised Energy Contracts

On January 28, Kazakhstan's capital Astana hosted an expanded government meeting led by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. The event focused on the country's socio-economic development in 2024, but this year’s discussion carried broader implications, addressing both domestic and international concerns. Addressing Budget Constraints From the outset, Tokayev made it clear that a key issue for his government is the state budget’s financial shortfall. Analyst Gaziz Abishev noted on his Telegram channel that the problem is not just a lack of funds but a long-standing habit - dating back to 2003 - of addressing challenges by simply increasing spending. “There is no longer an oil windfall to revitalize the dry economy as there was 20 years ago,” Abishev wrote. Adding to the uncertainty, Kazakhstan’s oil revenues face potential disruption from Donald Trump’s stated intention to drive down global hydrocarbon prices. Tokayev outlined a range of measures to fill budget gaps, urging his government to take bold, unconventional steps. He called on officials to act in the country’s best interests without fear of pressure from the Anti-Corruption Service or public opinion. He also stressed the importance of depoliticizing economic partnerships, particularly with Russia and China, cautioning against allowing Russophobic or Sinophobic rhetoric to interfere with business deals. “Money must be attracted from abroad, and this is more important than ever. Without investment, we cannot sustain ourselves. Money doesn’t smell, but it disappears. We need to attract investment from all sides - within the law - without falling into populism. The future of the national economy, and to some extent the country as a whole, is at stake,” Abishev commented. Public Reaction to Tax Reforms Although tax reform was only the sixth of eight key points in Tokayev’s speech, it quickly became the most widely discussed issue among the public. Kazakhstan’s value-added tax (VAT) is currently 12%, with a sufficiency threshold of 78 million tenge ($150,937). The government is considering raising the VAT rate to 20% and lowering the sufficiency threshold to 15 million tenge ($29,026). If implemented, nearly all small businesses would become VAT payers, while the increased tax rate is expected to drive inflation. The government maintains that inflation will not exceed 4.5%, but Tokayev’s mention of “belt-tightening” has already led many to expect rising retail prices. To offset the burden on businesses, the government proposes eliminating mandatory employer pension contributions and reducing the social tax. However, Tokayev himself expressed reservations about cutting the social tax, emphasizing that regional governors (akims) need financial incentives. “Think again. I believe it would be wrong to deprive akims of incentives, especially financial ones. After all, the regions are the country. Find a solution. We will meet again to discuss these issues,” he told the government. The tax reforms will also be debated in Parliament, where the lower house is currently reviewing the draft of the new Tax Code. The government will have to negotiate with members of the Majilis and Senate over the VAT rate, sufficiency threshold, and other sensitive issues. Messages to Foreign Partners...