Factsheet on President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s Speech at the National Kurultai

On 20 January 2026, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev addressed the National Kurultai (Congress) held in Kyzylorda, outlining a new stage in Kazakhstan’s political development, alongside priorities in foreign policy, economic governance and digital transformation.

In his speech, President Tokayev presented a package of constitutional and institutional reforms aimed at modernising the state system, clarifying governance architecture and strengthening long-term political stability. Central to the address were proposals to formalise presidential succession rules, establish the position of Vice President, and transition to a fundamentally new constitutional model following a national referendum.

The President also addressed Kazakhstan’s foreign policy posture in a changing global environment, reaffirming a balanced, pragmatic and interest-driven diplomacy, as well as economic integration priorities, food security concerns, and the strategic importance of digitalisation and artificial intelligence for national competitiveness.

President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s Speech

Key Points of Specific Interest to Europe and the United States

Foreign Policy in a Changing Global Environment

President Tokayev noted that international relations are undergoing profound changes, marked by declining trust, erosion of international law, and rising global militarisation.
In this context, Kazakhstan’s foreign policy must remain balanced, cautious and firmly anchored in national interests.
He stressed that diplomatic decisions carry long-term consequences and must be made with professionalism and restraint.
Diplomacy, he said, should function as a tool for compromise rather than confrontation, reinforcing Kazakhstan’s role as a predictable and responsible international actor.

Human Rights, Rule of Law and Civic Responsibility

President Tokayev reaffirmed Kazakhstan’s commitment to building a rule-of-law state, emphasising that legal reform must go hand in hand with the strengthening of civic responsibility and national self-awareness.
He highlighted the impact of the 2022 constitutional reforms, including the establishment of the Constitutional Court, the creation of cassation courts, and the granting of constitutional status to the Human Rights Commissioner (Ombudsman), as key steps in strengthening the protection of citizens’ rights.
The President noted that reforms to administrative justice and judicial procedures have improved citizens’ and entrepreneurs’ ability to defend their lawful interests before the courts.
Tokayev stressed that the principle of “Law and Order” applies equally to all.
He reiterated the state’s obligation to protect the rights, freedoms, dignity and security of all citizens.

Key Points of Specific Interest to Russia and the CIS

Economic Integration and Protection of National Interests

President Tokayev reaffirmed Kazakhstan’s support for economic integration, while stressing that it will firmly defend its national interests, particularly amid global trade tensions.
As chair of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) in 2026, Kazakhstan will prioritise:
Elimination of trade barriers
Combating unjustified protectionism
Expanding the use of artificial intelligence to improve integration efficiency
He expressed concern over pressure on Kazakhstan’s agricultural processing sector from subsidised imports within the EAEU, describing the issue as one of food security and calling for more decisive government action to protect domestic producers.

Key Points of Specific Interest to China and Asia, including Central Asia

Transport Connectivity and Transit Potential

President Tokayev reaffirmed Kazakhstan’s ambition to position itself as a key international transport and logistics hub connecting East–West and North–South corridors.
Major highway and railway projects were announced to eliminate bottlenecks and shorten transit routes, including the acceleration of the Beineu–Sekseuil highway, which will reduce the length of the Middle Corridor by approximately 900 kilometres.
The President highlighted the expansion and modernisation of key rail lines, including Kyzylzhar–Moyynty, Darbaza–Maktaaral, Altynkol–Zhetygen, and Zhezkazgan–Sekseuil.
Kazakhstan aims to significantly strengthen cargo aviation, with the President signalling openness to greater private-sector involvement to improve competitiveness, including on jet fuel pricing.

Energy, Water Security and Environmental Diplomacy

President Tokayev identified water as a strategic national and regional resource,
Emphasis on transboundary river governance and cooperation with Central Asian neighbours.
He proposed to promote an International Water Organisation within UN reform discussions.
He reminded that Kazakhstan will host the International Ecological Summit in Astana in April, focused on the Aral Sea.
Tokayev instructed the preparation of a comprehensive national map of water and energy resources.
Kazakhstan’s coal reserves, estimated at around 33 billion tonnes, were identified as a strategic asset to be utilised using modern technologies to minimise environmental impact.
The President instructed that the development of coal-fired power generation be granted the status of a National Project, with implementation decisions to be finalised by 20 March.
He instructed QazaqGaz, the Government and the Samruk-Kazyna Fund to accelerate geological exploration, develop new gas fields using a mix of state and private investment, and strengthen oversight of major gas-processing projects.

Additional Key Points of Significant Interest

Introduction of the Office of Vice President

President Tokayev proposed the establishment of the position of Vice President, to be appointed by the President with the consent of Parliament.
The Vice President would represent Kazakhstan internationally, engage with Parliament, work with domestic and foreign organisations, and perform duties assigned by the President.
These responsibilities would be explicitly enshrined in the Constitution, providing legal clarity and institutional stability.
The President stressed that this reform is intended to strengthen governance coherence, not dilute presidential authority. Kazakhstan will continue to function as a presidential republic.

Clear Constitutional Rules for Presidential Succession

President Tokayev underscored the importance of unambiguous constitutional regulation of presidential succession.
In the event of early termination of a presidential term, presidential elections must be held within two months, ensuring that any head of state comes to power exclusively through elections.
He described this principle as fundamental and non-negotiable, reinforcing Kazakhstan’s commitment to electoral legitimacy and political predictability.

Transition to a New Constitutional Model and Strengthening Checks and Balances

Tokayev stated that the reforms launched in 2022, together with upcoming initiatives to be submitted to a national referendum, mark a transition away from the 1995 constitutional model toward a fundamentally new political system.
Public endorsement of these reforms, he said, would lead to a renewal of the political system and strengthen long-term stability.
He noted that 26 laws have already been adopted based on proposals from previous National Kurultai sessions, demonstrating the forum’s growing institutional relevance.
It is proposed that the appointment of members of the Constitutional Court, Supreme Audit Chamber and Central Election Commission be carried out exclusively with the consent of Parliament.
Parliament would also receive the power to elect all judges of the Supreme Court upon nomination by the President, marking a significant step in strengthening checks and balances between branches of power.

Reconfiguration of Parliamentary and Advisory Institutions

The proposed reforms include a move toward a unicameral parliament (to be called “Kurultai”), designed to streamline legislative processes and governance efficiency.
The new Parliament is proposed to consist of 145 deputies, with up to three deputy speakers and no more than eight standing committees, prioritising efficiency and professionalism over numerical expansion.
Deputies will be elected exclusively on a proportional basis, strengthening the institutional role and responsibility of political parties. Deputies will be elected for a five-year term, with a revised three-stage legislative procedure: conceptual approval, amendment approval, and final adoption of laws.
A new Khalyk Kenesi (People’s Council) would be established, assuming key functions of the Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan in the areas of interethnic and interfaith harmony.
The People’s Council would also:
Develop proposals to improve domestic policy
Promote and explain matters related to state ideology
Be granted the right of legislative initiative
Organise the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions and other major humanitarian forums
The reforms also envisage the abolition of certain administrative structures supporting the current Parliament, the elimination of the post of State Counsellor, and adjustments to the Presidential Administration to better reflect practical governance needs.

Digitalisation and Artificial Intelligence as Strategic Priorities

President Tokayev emphasised that digitalisation and artificial intelligence are reshaping global realities, reducing the importance of population size and rewarding countries that adapt quickly.
Kazakhstan, he said, has chosen a path of accelerated digital and AI adoption across all sectors of the economy and public administration.
At the same time, he cautioned that technology alone cannot compensate for weak governance.
Effective digital transformation requires streamlined management processes, improved organisational culture, and modern public-sector management practices.

Infrastructure for the Future Digital Economy

Tokayev highlighted the need to build a strong infrastructure base to support a future digital and energy-intensive economy.
President Tokayev proposed enshrining in the Constitution the institutional and legal foundations of digitalisation, reflecting its growing impact on daily life and fundamental rights.
He called for the early designation of zones for high-capacity data centres, equipped with:
Reliable power supply
Advanced cooling systems
Robust physical and cyber security
These measures, he said, are essential for Kazakhstan to remain competitive in emerging digital industries and global value chains.
President Tokayev stressed that only states that successfully digitise and integrate their history and culture into global digital civilisation will retain agency.
The President supported the creation of a national digital repository of memory and knowledge, (National Digital Heritage), aimed at systematising archival materials, museum collections, scholarly research and works of art in digital form.

Cultural and Spiritual Development

President Tokayev emphasised that cultural and spiritual development is a strategic priority of state policy, noting that the success of political and economic reforms depends on the transformation of public consciousness and the strengthening of national values.
He highlighted large-scale plans to develop cultural infrastructure, modernise museums, theatres and libraries, and support the creative industries.
The President underscored the importance of promoting Kazakhstan’s cultural and historical heritage internationally, including through UNESCO mechanisms, noting Kazakhstan’s strong standing in the number of elements inscribed on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list.
He stressed the need to deepen scholarly research into Kazakhstan’s history and civilisation, including the publication of a seven-volume academic history of Kazakhstan, and the organisation of international conferences on the Golden Horde and Turkic civilisation.
He also linked cultural policy to digital transformation, stressing that only states that successfully digitise and integrate their cultural heritage into the global digital space will retain agency in the modern world.