Constitutional Reforms in Kazakhstan Discussed in Italia

A seminar entitled “Constitutional Reforms in Kazakhstan” was held in Rome, focusing on the political and economic transformations taking place in Kazakhstan. The event, organised by the Italian Institute for Asian Studies, brought together members of the Italian Parliament, representatives of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, experts, journalists, diplomats and students.

Kazakhstan’s Ambassador to Italy, Yerbolat Sembayev, outlined the key features of the new Constitution and the measures being undertaken to further modernise the country. The Ambassador noted that Kazakhstan’s new People’s Constitution, adopted through a nationwide referendum, will officially enter into force on 1 July this year, marking the beginning of a qualitatively new stage in the country’s development.

“The new Constitution introduces fundamental changes to Kazakhstan’s political system, adapting the country to the challenges of the artificial intelligence era. One of the defining features of the constitutional reform is the transition to a unicameral Parliament. This large-scale transformation of the legislative branch is intended to remove bureaucratic barriers and accelerate decision-making processes,” Ambassador Sembayev emphasised.

The Kazakh diplomat also noted that the country’s current stage of development is characterised by a transition from targeted reforms to the systematic modernisation of the economy and public administration. At the heart of this policy are the creation of a predictable business environment, the protection of investors’ rights, the development of non-resource sectors, and the deepening of international economic partnerships. In this context, Italy remains an important partner for Kazakhstan.

“Italian businesses possess strong expertise in industry, engineering, logistics, processing technologies and manufacturing solutions. We see significant potential for further expanding Kazakh-Italian cooperation in areas such as petrochemicals, transport corridors, agriculture, industrial cooperation, sustainable supply chains, rare earth metals, as well as modern solutions related to the energy transition,” Ambassador Sembayev added.

Other speakers sharing their views on Kazakhstan’s reforms included Italian Senator Antonio Trevisi, Chair of the European Parliament Delegation for Relations with Central Asia Giusi Princi, Coordinator of the Italy – Central Asia Ministerial Meeting at the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Federico Failla, President of the Italian Institute for Asian Studies Mario Morgoni, President of the CFive – Astana analytical centre Sapargali Shalgimbayev, and others.

According to the speakers, Kazakhstan’s reforms have strengthened the relationship between the state and society, increasing public trust in state institutions. In the eyes of international partners, Kazakhstan’s greatest strengths today are predictability, sustainable development and institutional stability. The presence of independent institutions and clear rules makes the country more attractive to foreign investors and international partners.

As Senator Trevisi noted, one of the most important aspects of Kazakhstan’s reform agenda is industrial and infrastructure modernisation. In this regard, “Made in Italy” technologies are highly regarded in Kazakhstan. Advanced equipment and innovative solutions can contribute to strengthening Kazakhstan’s industrial base and developing a more efficient logistics infrastructure.

For her part, Giusi Princi, Chair of the European Parliament Delegation for Relations with Central Asia, noted that, given the successful partnership between the European Union and Kazakhstan in areas such as trade, investment, critical raw materials, energy security and the green economy, the EU is closely following the reforms being implemented in the country. According to her, Kazakhstan has embarked on a path of comprehensive institutional and constitutional transformation aimed at improving the effectiveness of public administration and modernising the country’s political and economic systems.

Federico Failla, Coordinator of the Italy – Central Asia Ministerial Meeting at the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, stated that Kazakhstan’s constitutional reforms demonstrate the country’s ability to adapt to contemporary challenges and reflect its dynamic development.

According to Mario Morgoni, President of the Italian Institute for Asian Studies, Kazakhstan’s experience in implementing large-scale and ambitious reforms is both noteworthy and deserving of respect, particularly as these reforms are taking place in a complex multi-ethnic country that is independently developing its own model of development while gradually strengthening modern democratic institutions.