Thirty years of Independence: milestones of achievements of Aktobe region

The peoples and ethnic groups that once inhabited the vast expanses of the Great Desht-i-Kipchak Steppe, having become independent countries, never forgot their native Kazakh land, through which the sound of their horses' hooves resounded. Our people have experienced a lot during their existence, the years of powerful prosperity were replaced by tragic moments of universal disaster. How many glorious batyrs died on the battlefields for the sake of freedom, which their ancestors had dreamed of for centuries.

Thirty years ago, when the Soviet Union collapsed and our new independent country appeared on the world map, some sincerely rejoiced, while others silently hid. Not welcoming the isolation of the republic, someone bitterly thought: "We'll wait and see. Tomorrow, ask yourself to come back when the need presses," and someone, relying on the conclusions of world analysts of that period, predicted that the state would have a hard time, and it would never get back on its feet. Such experts believed that the remoteness of the territory from the seashores, the dependence of railways and highways from neighboring countries would negatively affect the emerging economy of Kazakhstan. One of the factors was called the lack of production capacity, we were energetically connected with others, there were not enough enterprises for processing energy sources, there was no established infrastructure. The list of negative components included the imperfection of financial institutions, the lack of a national currency and a gold fund. There were many other problematic sides inherited from the era of the Soviet Union. It's pointless to deny it.

All these assumptions of analysts collapsed like a house of cards. They took into account many factors, but did not think about one thing – the phenomenon of Elbasy Nursultan Nazarbayev. The Kazakh proverb says: in the unity of the people is their freedom, and the people are bound together and led by the leader. The personal qualities and diplomatic level of our First President were not taken into account by such predictors.

Our generation was destined to find the long-awaited freedom. We have withstood the burden of responsibility, passed through difficult trials with honor. And for thirty years we have been building our own independent state, strengthening its borders, making the cherished dream of our ancestors a reality. We have proved that the Kazakh people can make a significant contribution to global processes on a global scale.

We have brought up a decent shift. Our youth is achieving victories in the educational and intellectual space, raising the prestige of the motherland and justifying its trust. Boys and girls have the opportunity to study in prestigious educational institutions of highly developed countries, successfully work in organizations and institutions abroad.

Kazakhstani athletes achieve victories on world arenas. The whole world is listening to our sacred Hymn at such moments, watching the blue banner of the Flag soar skyward.

To be worthy masters of a sovereign country and turn it into a state that stands firmly on its feet is an immeasurable test. It is not given to everyone to pass it with honor. I think it is not superfluous to remind you once again that the process of forming the state was not easy. In a difficult period of formation, our First President, Elbasy Nursultan Abishevich Nazarbayev took on the entire burden of responsibility. I took a risk, took bold steps for the sake of the country's future. He gained the trust of the world community, attracted investments by inviting large companies to cooperate.

At such moments, foresight and caution are very important. It was not easy to implement all the plans. Undoubtedly, history will still give an assessment of this difficult period of formation. The first President of the country demonstrated innate talent and political skill in the formation of a market economy. The world community recognized him as a global political figure. We are witnesses of this. Representatives of the older generation remember well how it all began. And young people need to know about this and learn lessons.

We see positive results of transformations in the formation of a new state system proposed by the President of the Republic of Belarus.

Executive structures have been optimized, a legislative bicameral Parliament and an independent judicial system have been formed. Conditions have been put forward for the approval of new laws in accordance with international requirements, regulation of legislative and regulatory acts in accordance with international standards.
Customs posts have been designated, borders have been strengthened, and an army has been created.
Diplomatic relations have been established with most countries.
Transport and energy independence have been formed.
The integrity of the territory, friendship and solidarity between different ethnic groups have been preserved.
Despite the lack of finances at that time, the road was opened for young people to master knowledge and best practices in developed countries under the Bolashak scholarship program.
The white pages of our history have been studied, the spiritual, cultural heritage and values of the people have been revived, the memory of glorious ancestors has been perpetuated. We were able to find the connecting links in the lost paths of ancient history and understand who we were.
The civil service has been optimized in accordance with international standards, digitalization has been introduced.
The capital was moved, a modern city was built in the heart of the Great Steppe. Regions have been transformed, Turkestan has been revived.
The attributes of the state have been completely improved in accordance with the requirements of sovereignty. Our Anthem was played and the Flag was flying in all corners of the planet. Our native speech was first heard from the rostrum of the United Nations.

A new state has been formed in thirty years. These transformations were carried out by the First President of our independent country, Nursultan Nazarbayev. Thanks to his tireless and hard work, he strengthened the foundations of statehood. The well-being and way of life of people have improved, the social situation has significantly improved. Many good deeds have been done for the people over the years, there have been many initiatives that can serve as an example
for the whole world.

You and I witnessed how on March 19, 2019, Elbasy voluntarily resigned his powers as Head of State. On April 28, 2021, he transferred the duties of the Chairman of the Assembly of People of Kazakhstan to the President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Kemelevich Tokayev. World politicians gave a positive assessment of the bold step of such transit.

On November 23, an expanded meeting of the Political Council of the Nur Otan party was held under the chairmanship of Nursultan Nazarbayev, where it was decided to transfer the chairmanship of the party to the Head of State. We know Nursultan Abishevich as a wonderful speaker, wise and far-sighted politician, and here he once again demonstrated human qualities, the ability to combine the precepts of his ancestors with the realities of modernity.

At the meeting, the Leader of the Nation focused on the challenges and threats facing the state, as well as the strategic goals of the party for the coming period, noted that Kazakhstan is entering the fourth decade of Independence. "Natural changes are taking place, including due to the accelerated introduction of information technologies and green energy," he said.

Elbasy drew attention to the fight against the pandemic, the strengthening of the negative consequences of environmental problems — global warming, the changing way of the global economy, which will lead to the disappearance of entire industries, reducing the competitiveness of many countries. He highlighted the growing geopolitical tensions that will exacerbate the differences between the countries. He noted that the radicalization of public sentiment and values will increase political disunity.

Having said that over the past thirty years, more than 9.5 million citizens have been born in Kazakhstan, he stressed that this is an advanced, purposeful, highly educated and progressive-minded new generation. "The historical mission of this generation is to preserve our statehood and implement the national idea of "Mangilik El". In this regard, I propose a set of principles "Seven Pillars of Statehood", which will become a key guideline for Kazakhstanis in the new era," Nursultan Abishevich said. "Let the younger generation accept them as my call and instruction from Elbasy, the leader of the country, who overcame a difficult, thirty-year-long path of creation
together with the people."

I consider it necessary to elaborate on these principles in more detail.

First. Independence is a fundamental value of every citizen. The painstaking and creative work of all Kazakhstanis over the past 30 years will be inscribed in golden letters in the pages of national history.

Second. Unity and harmony are the unshakable foundation of statehood. Only by carefully increasing our unity and solidarity will we be able to preserve sovereignty and strengthen statehood.

The third. The land is an invaluable heritage of the ancestors, the heritage of the people. There is nothing more sacred than the native land. For the people, the country and the land are inseparable.

Fourth. Family and traditions are the fundamental pillars of society.

The origins of true patriotism begin with love and respect for the family and its traditions, the fatherland, the place where you were born, live and create. The family is a unique institution for the upbringing of the younger generation, a key link in a developed society.

Fifth. National culture is the spiritual support of the people. We are the modern descendants of the great nomads, whose sacred history has its roots deep in the past. We are a people with a unique, original and rich spiritual and cultural heritage. And in order to be competitive in the global world, we need our own special national firm character and indomitable spirit.

Sixth. Striving for knowledge and hard work is the key to well-being. As Abai said: "Ozine sen, ozindi alyp shygar, enbegin men akylyn eki zhaktap", that is, we must rely only on the strength of our own knowledge and skills.

Seventh. Pragmatism is the key to competitiveness. To achieve our goals, we need to work effectively, making maximum use of all available resources and capabilities.