Factsheet on the 21st Extraordinary Congress of the Nur Otan Party

Factsheet on the 21st Extraordinary Congress of the Nur Otan Party

Overview

On 28 January, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev took part in the XXI Extraordinary Congress of the Nur Otan party, which was held online. The event was also attended by the First President of Kazakhstan, Nursultan Nazarbayev, the leadership of the Presidential Administration, and members of the Political Council of the party.

After the initial statement by Nursultan Nazarbayev, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev was unanimously elected as the Chairman of the Nur Otan party. In November 2021, Nursultan Nazarbayev made the decision to transfer the powers of the chairman of the Nur Otan party, noting that the party should be headed by the President of the country.

President Tokayev then addressed the participants of the Congress.

Statement by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev

On the tragic events in January

  • Authorities were able to repel terrorists and criminals, thus preserving the integrity of the state.
  • Kazakhstan managed to successfully pass “the most severe teste” on the maturity of society and the solvency of the state. At the same time, it is necessary to analyse all the causes and consequences of these events and draw appropriate lessons.
  • Competent authorities are conducting investigations to identify and prosecute those responsible. This work is being carried out within the framework of the law under the supervision of the Prosecutor General's Office and the President’s control. Human rights will be fully observed.

On the First President Nursultan Nazarbayev

  • President Tokayev stated that the First President made a huge contribution to building a strong state. He will remain in the history as the founder of Independent Kazakhstan.
  • Nursultan Nazarbayev contributed to building a market economy, implementing comprehensive reforms, and solving many socio-economic issues. He also ensured state security and strengthening the geopolitical positions of the country.
  • President Tokayev said due credit should be given to the historic achievements of the First President, while any possible mistakes should be regarded as lessons for the future leadership of Kazakhstan.

On the President’s new role as Chairman of the Nur Otan party

  • The decision to accept the offer to head the party was dictated by the readiness to start work on the transformation of the party and the consolidation of the whole society.
  • President Tokayev stated that he will serve as a guarantor of open and fair political competition. His constitutional duty is to ensure the coordinated actions of all branches of power and the responsibility of state bodies to the people.
  • This implies a certain distancing of the President from the activities of any parties and movements. Therefore, President Tokayev announced that he could step down as chairman of the party as soon as at the end of this year to maintain an "equidistant status" from all parties.

On restructuring the Nur Otan party

  • Large-scale agenda has been put forward by the President for the comprehensive modernization of the country. The Nur Otan party should be actively involved in its implementation and act as a real engine of progressive transformations and renewal of Kazakhstan.
  • To do this, Nur Otan must transform to achieve a “radical restructuring” of the entire work of the party.
  • The head of state urged party members to focus on the following priorities:
  • Strengthening of solidarity in the ranks of the party and consolidating all the constructive forces of society.
  • The party should not copy the work of state bodies. The Nur Otan party should be mainly engaged in ideological and personnel work.
  • Further viability of the party depends on the extent to which election promises will be fulfilled. Therefore, the party, together with the Government and akimats, will conduct a complete audit of the fulfilment of election promises.
  • Review the organizational structure of the party, create the position of the Executive Secretary (instead of First Deputy Chairman), as well as other secretaries in the relevant areas.
  • More engagement with the public. It is a direct duty of the MPs to thoroughly understand current issues.
  • Strengthen the participation of party members in solving urgent problems in the country’s regions.
  • Add new content to the party’s anti-corruption strategy.
  • Strengthen the work of the youth wing of the party.

On the “Kazakhstan Halkyna” Fund (For the People of Kazakhstan Fund)

  • President Tokayev expressed his gratitude to businesses for their financial contributions to the fund, which was initiated by the Head of State to support Kazakh citizens at the time of need.
  • At the same time, he noted that some prominent businesspeople, who are part of the “oligopoly”, have not yet participated in contributing to the Fund.
  • The President will issue a special Decree regulating the process of contributions to the Fund by large businesses.

Composition of the Political Council of the Nur Otan party

  • Representation of women rose to 33.7%. The share of young people under 35 years of age increased sixfold to 13%.
  • The number of civil servants decreased by a third. The representation of the civil sector has increased significantly. Number of the education sector representatives doubled.
  • The share of representatives of NGOs and the media also more than doubled to 15.2%.