Yesterday a significant historical event took place in our country. Our country has entered a new stage of development. The overwhelming majority of citizens supported the proposed amendments to the Constitution. The referendum was held at a high level. This is confirmed by international and domestic observers. The constitutional reform was discussed with interest in the society. The voting was held in full accordance with the democratic requirements. There was no coercion. The result of the referendum has become a clear symbol of political renewal. Our citizens showed great responsibility and patriotism. We have demonstrated that we are united in building a new and fair Kazakhstan. The constitutional amendments will cardinally transform the foundations of our statehood and give new impetus to the development of our society. I am grateful to all our people for their support and active participation in the referendum. I would also like to thank the citizens and numerous public organizations that participated in explaining the amendments to the Constitution.
The referendum was an important milestone in the history of our country, showing the solidarity and readiness of the nation for real change. The high turnout was a testament to the maturity and responsibility of our society. I thank all those who came to the polls and supported the changes that have been initiated in the country. Demonstrating true patriotism, you have made a significant contribution to the ongoing development of Kazakhstan. I am grateful to all my fellow citizens who exercised their legal right and expressed their position at this moment of crucial importance for the country. The amendments to the Constitution are not the final stage, but only the beginning of our reforms. We will continue the comprehensive modernisation of the country.
Based on the updated Constitution, we will form a more effective model for the functioning of all government institutions and strengthen the mechanisms of checks and balances between them. Consistent political transformations will contribute to the development of the national economy and strengthen national entrepreneurship. Now we have to form transparent and fair rules of the game in the economy, to reform legislation. It is important to eradicate all artificial monopolies and put up a solid barrier to corruption.
We must support the initiatives of entrepreneurs, fully protect private property and increase competition. We have a lot of work ahead to really diversify the economy. We must take measures to develop high-yield agriculture and a powerful transport and logistics system, and we must create a digital ecosystem everywhere.
Labour, knowledge, and civic engagement should become the main drivers of our country’s sustainable development. Only in this way can we create a self-sufficient middle class and an efficient economy. This economy will be aimed at a fair distribution of income, the creation of quality jobs, a steady rise in living standards, and the full self-realisation of all citizens.
We will continue systematic work to completely modernise and de-bureaucratise the state apparatus. We must build an advanced state that meets the expectations and demands of the whole society. The effectiveness of the governance system will be determined by the results achieved. Close cooperation with business, non-governmental organisations, and citizens must become a priority in the work of the state apparatus. This will make it possible to make decisions in the interests of the country and raise the quality of services provided to the population. The work of public servants should become as open and truly accountable to citizens as possible. Public service is a special responsibility to its people, not a place for personal enrichment.
The constitutional reform opens up opportunities to modernise the entire legal sphere. On the basis of the adopted amendments to the Constitution, the Parliament and the Government will have to make appropriate changes in the legislation. It is necessary to develop reforms in Kazakhstan aimed at building effective legal and judicial systems, taking into account international experience. We see growing demand on the part of society and businesses to protect their rights and legitimate interests. Kazakhstan needs a legal system that provides maximum protection of rights and interests of citizens and entrepreneurs. The legislation should not contain norms that impede the stable development of the country. All dubious and not meeting modern requirements norms should be abolished.
We need to review the legislation that has contributed to the concentration of the country’s economic resources in the hands of a small group of individuals and provided them with excessive preferences. In accordance with my decree, an interdepartmental commission on the return of funds illegally withdrawn from the country and the return of illegally privatized assets to state ownership has been established. We will continue our policy of comprehensively strengthening the system of protecting human rights and freedoms.
As part of the legal reform, the Constitutional Court will be re-established. It is necessary to introduce a mechanism for prompt response to its rulings so that citizens feel the benefits of this very important institution. In the New and Fair Kazakhstan, there is no place for police brutality, incompetent prosecutors and biased judges. Society is waiting for real change from the law enforcement and judicial systems. Concrete solutions on these and other issues of development of the country will be presented in my speech at the opening of the next session of Parliament in September this year.
Our main task is to strengthen our sacred Independence, the unity of the country and social harmony. Reforms are carried out not for the sake of slogans and fine words, but in order to build a New and Fair Kazakhstan. As the saying goes, measure twice and cut once. Our ancestors made the most important decisions in the world. Continuing this glorious tradition, I announced the creation of the National Kurultai. It will be comprised of representatives from all walks of life, active and respected citizens. The first meeting of the Kurultai will take place in Ulytau, the cradle of our nation.
Thus, citizens will have more opportunities to take a direct part in the work of the State. Indeed, the fate of our homeland is in the hands of each one of us. We must radically transform the system of social and personal values. Only in this way will we be able to make radical transformations in all spheres.
The greatest wealth of New Kazakhstan is its people, and our main goal is to create the conditions for a happy life of the people. Each citizen should experience the fruits of political change and economic growth.
Empty promises and empty words do not lead to anything. The most important for me is concrete work and real change. I will do my utmost to achieve this goal. The results of the referendum open a whole new chapter in the history of our statehood. By making their choice, our people have shown the will to create and the desire for radical change. We still have much to do to develop the country. I am absolutely convinced that together we will certainly achieve our goals.
Today a new era has begun in the history of independent Kazakhstan. May our unity strengthen on this path!
Together we will build a New Kazakhstan!
Together we will make every effort for the prosperity of the New Kazakhstan!
On May 18, 2022, Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Singapore Arken Arystanov held an online briefing for officials, expert and journalistic circles of Singapore, Australia and New Zealand on the upcoming Republican referendum on amendments and additions to the Constitution of the Republic of Kazakhstan that will take place on June 5.
In the light of the new political agenda of the Head of State “New Kazakhstan: The path of renewal and modernization”, the head of the diplomatic mission dwelled in detail on the points of the draft Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan “On amendments and additions to the Constitution of the Republic of Kazakhstan”.
Ambassador Arken Arystanov emphasized that further large-scale and significant changes will have a significant impact on the future of the country, ensure the effective construction of a new development path chosen by Kazakhstan.
On March 19, 2022, as part of the celebration of the spring holiday of Nauryz, Kazakh dances and songs, national costumes and decorations, photographs of the Great Steppe were shown in one of Australia's major museums, the Power House Museum.
As part of the festive event, representatives of the Consulate General performed Kazakh folk dances, as well as famous modern compositions.
Jewelry, national clothes, household items, as well as books and brochures about the history, culture and modernity of Kazakhstan were presented at the national stand, videos about the celebration of Nauryz in Kazakhstan, as well as videos about nature were also shown. The guests of the event were able to taste dishes of national cuisine.
This show aroused genuine and lively interest among the local public in Sydney. The exhibition was visited by more than 1000 people.
As a result of the event, an agreement was reached on partnership between the national museums of Kazakhstan and the Power House Museum.
It is known that, in 2009 #Nauryz was included in the Representative list of the Intangible cultural heritage of humanity by #UNESCO, and a year later the UN General Assembly recognized March 21 as the International Nauryz Day.
The Power House Museum is one of the oldest and most important museums in Australia. The museum's unique collection touches on science, technology, art, music, transportation and space exploration. There is also a lot of material on Australian culture, history and life. In total, the museum's collection contains more than 500.000 exhibits.
Nur-Sultan, 16 March 2022 In his state-of-the-nation address today, titled “New Kazakhstan: Path of Renewal and Modernization”, President Kassym-Jomart-Tokayev outlined a number of far-reaching political reforms and initiatives, including up to 30 proposed changes to the Constitution, aimed at further transforming the country. Stressing that the nation requires cardinal reforms to avoid stagnation, the President presented a program for the comprehensive modernization of the country’s political system.
In his speech, which was moved up by six months reflecting the importance of proposed reforms following the tragic January events, Tokayev announced a transition from “a super-presidential form of government to a presidential republic with a strong parliament”, stating that “such a system will provide an optimal balance of power for institutions and will contribute to the sustainable development of the country.”
Tokayev proposed legislation that obliges the president to terminate membership in his or her political party for the period of his/her term of office, clarifying that “this norm will increase political competition, provide equal conditions for the development of all parties.” In addition, he proposed a ban at the legislative level for the close relatives of the president from being appointed to positions of top-level civil servants and managers in the quasi-public sector.
Several proposed reforms specifically focus on transforming the parliamentary system in the country. To this end, President Tokayev proposed a switch from a fully proportional election system to a mixed proportional and majoritarian system. According to the proposal, in the next campaign, 30% of the Mazhilis deputies will be elected through a majoritarian system, running as candidates in a personal capacity rather than as a part of a party list. It is believed this would enhance the participation of citizens and their direct engagement with MPs while the preservation of a 70% quote for the parties will help maintain development of parties as strong institutional actors in the country’s political system.
In addition, the quota of presidential appointments in the Senate will be reduced from 15 to 10 members and the purpose of their appointment will change in order to give more voice to social groups that are underrepresented in parliament. At the same time, the quota in the Mazhilis (lower house of parliament) for representatives of the Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan, a constitutional body representing associations of the country’s numerous ethnic communities) will be abolished and transferred to the Senate, though reduced from 9 to 5 members. The Assembly will now propose candidates for the President to appoint, not elect them as previously.
President Tokayev also stated that the right of the Senate should only be to approve or reject the laws already adopted by the Mazhilis. Consequently, it is going to be just the Mazhilis that is vested with the right to pass laws.
In continuation of previous reforms that facilitated political plurality and competition, the President announced that procedures for registration of political parties will be greatly simplified. In particular, he proposed that the registration threshold is further reduced fourfold from 20,000 to 5,000 people (until last year it was 40,000, meaning an eight-fold cut into the requirement during President Tokayev’s tenure). Similar reductions are to be applied to the requirements for regional representation of political parties.
The President further proposed strengthening local self-government through the enhancement of the role of local assemblies (maslikhats) as well as Kazakhstan’s joining the European Convention of Self-Government. There will also be a change in the way the maslikhats are elected: at the regional level, this will be done on a mixed proportional-majority system, while at the town and district level, the system will completely change from the proportional to a majority system, allowing for individuals.
In another move, the President proposed the re-establishment of the Constitutional Court to enhance strict compliance with the provisions of the Constitution. If implemented, it will replace the Constitutional Council but will have wider competences, allowing citizens to directly appeal to this court with their complaints. Further reforms include enshrining the ban on death penalty in the Constitution, strengthening the role of the Human Rights Commissioner by adopting a constitutional law on his/her powers.
Summarizing these reforms and initiatives, President Tokayev stated, “the rejection of excessive presidential powers will be an important factor that will ensure the irreversibility of political modernization in the country.” He added, “the proposed initiatives will fundamentally change the ‘rules of the game’ and form a solid foundation for further democratization of our society.”
The address also focused on the tragic consequences and investigation into the tragic January events in Kazakhstan. The President acknowledged that those who tried to carry out a coup were well-known people and high-ranking officials, who, allegedly, committed a high treason against the state. Tokayev explained they had done that because Kazakhstan began the process of radical modernization and transformation of the country in recent years, and certain powerful people did not like this. The head of state assured that all those responsible for these tragic events would be brought to justice, regardless of their positions in society.
Among other proposals is introducing changes to administrative division of the country by creating three new regions (oblasts), namely Abai (with a center in Semey, now part of East Kazakhstan oblast), Ulytau (with a center in Zhezqazghan, now part of Qaraghandy oblast) and Zhetisu (with a center in Taldyqorghan, now part of Almaty oblast, with the latter receiving the city of Qapshagay as its center). He further pledged his support for the renaming of Qapshagay after the late Dinmukhammed Kunayev, a respected long-time leader of late Soviet Kazakhstan who has done a lot for the republic.
Concluding his address, President Tokayev said the proposed initiatives will “significantly change the political system of the country”, adding that the implementation of the initiatives announced today will require about 30 amendments to the Constitution and the adoption of more than 20 laws before the end of the year.
He emphasized that the principle of the New Kazakhstan should be different views, but one nation.
The government will hold an extraordinary meeting on March 18 to discuss the implementation of President Tokayev’s address.
Nur-Sultan, 14 March 2022 – At the special plenary session of the Mazhilis (lower house of parliament), Kazakhstan’s top law enforcement officials as well as the Human Rights Commissioner and a prominent civil rights lawyer answered questions today about the investigation into the January events in Kazakhstan. The session, which lasted three and a half hours and which was broadcast live on national TV channels and online, became an unprecedented action involving MPs from all political factions reflecting the gravity of the ordeal the country had lived through in early January.
Describing what took place in January, the Prosecutor General divided the events into three waves. First, there were peaceful rallies that focused on economic demands, which were met. An estimated 50,000 people took part in these rallies. Then, different extremists joined the protesters. Because of the incitement, clashes broke out. Finally, criminal elements and bandits joined the demonstrations, turning them into a violent unrest.
Prosecutor General Berik Asylov noted that “we saw the combination of extremism, criminal and religious radicalism.” He said dozens of facilities in Almaty, including the airport, were vandalized, weapons stores were attacked, and firearms were seized. Criminals damaged more than 800 street surveillance cameras. Civilians were used as human shields, and vehicles were used as battering rams. Asylov emphasized that the ultimate goal of such actions was the seizure of power, therefore, such actions are regarded as an act of terrorism. He further noted irreversible consequences could have occurred if the perpetuators were successful in their plans, including the loss of statehood.
In response to the question on who instigated the January events, and who was behind the terrorist attacks, Prosecutor General Berik Asylov acknowledged that right now it is difficult for him to answer this question. However, he reassured that “we will know the answer by the end of the investigation.”
Turning to the issue of cases being investigated, Asylov informed that 44 criminal cases are being investigated on organizing and participating in mass riots. A total of 46 criminal cases are related to acts of terrorism. The Prosecutor General clarified that the purpose of the terrorist act was to intimidate the population, destroy strategic facilities in order to paralyze the work of the authorities.
According to the Prosecutor General, a total of 766 people are now in custody on various charges by all law enforcement bodies investigating the consequences of the violent unrest. Of those, 19 are citizens of foreign countries, including Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan.
The speaker also noted that 230 people died during to the January events, including 19 police and law enforcement officers. Overall, 3,500 security officers were injured. Responding to the question by one of the MPs on when the list of those killed during the January events will be published, Prosecutor General Asylov explained there are legal restrictions on the publication of such information. He said: “After clarification of all the circumstances, we will publish the list.” In this regard, he reminded the investigation is continuing, adding that two months is not enough to conclude all the circumstances of a tragedy of this magnitude. He stressed that the final decisions on all criminal cases will be communicated to the population.
The meeting also included reports by Minister of Internal Affairs Marat Akhmetzhanov, who informed that more than 2,800 weapons were stolen during the unrest. 2,000 weapons are still in the hands of the criminals. Akhmetzhanov reminded that persons who voluntarily hand over their weapons will not be charged.
He notified that the police are investigating 3,070 criminal cases, assuring that the innocent will not be punished. A total of 184 people that are in custody are suspected of committing grave and especially grave crimes, the Minister clarified.
Regarding the damage caused during the unrest, Asylov informed that more than 1,500 state and commercial buildings were damaged.
First Deputy Prime Minister Roman Sklyar further notified that 1,630 small and medium-sized business properties were damaged, which amounts to 38.6 billion tenge worth of damage. He said work is underway to compensate businesses for the damage adding that more than 24 billion tenge has been allocated to compensate SMEs. The speaker emphasized that all businesses affected by the riots were receiving compensation. The Ministry of the National Economy added in this regard that it is planned to compensate entrepreneurs for most of the damage by the end of the first half of the year.
Turning to the issue of ensuring the rights of the detainees, the members of parliament asked about the alleged use of torture to obtain information and abuse of power. The Prosecutor General acknowledged that there are, unfortunately, such instances. In this regard, 243 criminal cases have been initiated, while 9 people were detained, 8 are employees of the National Security Committee (KNB), and one is a police officer. The head of the Anti-Corruption Service, Olzhas Bektenov, further explained that out of 243 such cases, 234 criminal cases are being investigated by his agency against law enforcement officers. As explained earlier, criminal cases against law enforcement officers as, as a rule, investigated by another law enforcement agency to avoid any potential conflict of interest.
The Human Rights Commissioner for in Kazakhstan, Elvira Azimova, said reports of violations were assessed with the prosecutor’s office and the police at all levels. She informed her office had received 137 allegations of torture and ill-treatment. They relate to police officers who used unlawful methods of investigation.
Regarding the arrest of the former head of the KNB and his deputies, Prosecutor General Asylov stated: “The former head of the KNB Karim Masimov, his three deputies, and two more chiefs have been prosecuted for high treason, an attempt to seize power, and taking a bribe on an especially large scale.” He informed these crimes usually carry a sentence of 17 years in prison. He stressed, however, that the investigation was still on-going.
Aiman Umarova, head of the Aqiqat (Truth) public commission for the investigation of the January events, also addressed the gathering and noted that it was difficult to name only socio-economic problems as the true causes of the January events. She suggested the riots had been led by professionally trained groups, including members of the special services and criminals. She further noted that allegedly there were a number of citizens of other Asian countries among the protesters who spoke neither Kazakh nor Russian. Civilians were drawn into the crowd through threats and violence, Umarova said. The lawyer also claimed that, according to her sources and initial findings, preparations for the January events took at least two years. In this regard, Defence Minister Ruslan Zhaksylykov stressed that the involvement of people who had undergone special training was clearly visible behind the chaos.
Concluding the meeting, the representatives of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Prosecutor General’s Office answered numerous questions from the MPs and assured that they would work to prevent terrorist attacks in the future.
March 11, 2022, Nur-Sultan - Kazakh-American online consultations on sanctions were held with assistance of U.S. Embassy to minimize the negative impact of the U.S. anti-Russian sanctions on the economy of Kazakhstan. Representatives of the interested state bodies responsible for trade and economic, financial, transport, defense, energy and aerospace areas, as well as national companies (about 80 participants) took part in the consultations from the Kazakhstan’s side.
The American side informed on the recently imposed U.S. sanctions against Russia and the specifics of the new sanctions restrictions in the trade, economic, banking, financial and energy areas. Kazakh participants were provided with explanations on various areas of cooperation with partners under the sanctions regime.
Following the meeting, the sides agreed to continue consultations in order to avoid unintended consequences of the U.S. sanctions policy for the Kazakh economy.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan is closely following the situation with the possible negative impact of sanctions imposed on Russian transport and logistics companies on Kazakh businesses involved in international shipping.
Taking into account the statement of K. Kopbayev, a Kazakh businessman and founding partner of Kusto Group, regarding the difficulties with shipment and transportation of Kazakhstan’s goods through international and European seaports, Kazakh embassies have established necessary contacts and held consultations with administrations of key European ports (Zeebrugge, Antwerp, Muuga, Riga, Ventspils, Liepaja and others). According to the information received, there are currently no restrictions on work with Kazakhstan’s shippers.
At the same time, potential delays in transportation of goods may be related to the restrictions imposed on Russian companies, given the close interconnection of existing logistic chains. The possibility that domestic companies may have difficulties in transporting cargo on Russian vessels, which are not able to receive international insurance, cannot be excluded. In the event of specific instances of delays in the transportation of Kazakh shipments and goods, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, together with the Kazakh diplomatic missions, is prepared to provide assistance in the prompt resolution of arising issues.
In this regard, please contact the 24-hour Call Center of JSC Kazakh Invest National Company at +7 7172 620 620.
In general, as a preventive measure, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the country’s embassies carry out explanatory work with foreign partners at the political level in order to avoid negative consequences for the trade and economic activities of Kazakhstan’s businesses in the evolving geo-economic circumstances.
January 1, 2022, marked the 100th birthday anniversary of Roza Baglanova, a world-famous singer and People's Artist of the Soviet Union, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan.
The life and creativity of Roza Baglanova is an example of selfless service to the people, devotion to the stage and boundless respect for the audience.
The singer started her career at the State Women's Song and Dance Ensemble of the Uzbek Philharmonic Society. She was later sent to the Moscow Conservatory, but when the Second World War broke out, she participated in the war together with the ensemble. As part of the brigade, she performed for the soldiers of the Red Army at the front: she sang in the dugouts, at railway stations, on tanks and even on the wings of aircrafts. During the Second World War, Roza Baglanova not only raised the fighting spirit of the soldiers with her creativity, but also proved to be a hero, helping to carry the soldiers away from the battlefield.
On May 9, 1945, Baglanova took part in the Victory concert in Berlin. For her contribution as a soldier the singer was awarded with many military awards, among which she especially valued two medals, presented by Marshals Ivan Konev and Konstantin Rokossovsky.
Roza Baglanova’s calling card was the song “Oh, Samara-town” from the repertoire of Lydia Ruslanova, who liked her performance as a beginner singer at that time.
After returning to the stage following the war, Roza Baglanova became the first Kazakh singer to gain nation-wide recognition in the USSR. Roza Baglanova’s repertoire includes works of world opera, folk songs of different countries and songs of modern composers.
Roza Baglanova is a national symbol of the whole epoch: she was on stage with Alexander Vertinsky, Galina Ulanova, Maya Plisetskaya, Igor Ilyinsky, Arkady Raikin, Sviatoslav Richter, Daniil Shafran. The singer performed in Poland, East Germany, Hungary, Austria, Czechoslovakia, China, Korea, India, Burma, Canada, Sweden, Belgium and other countries.
Roza Baglanova also met with many prominent people: Stalin, Kim Il-sung, Mao Tse - Tung, Choibalsan , Nehru, Indira Gandhi, Khrushchev, Brezhnev and the heads of many states. During her stay in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea as part of a government delegation, Kim Il-sung specially allocated his plane to Roza Baglanova and she toured the Republic for 10 days.
In India, the singer attended a reception hosted at Jawaharlal Nehru's house, where she met with Indira and Rajiv Gandhi.
In 1949 she starred in the Soviet-Hungarian documentary film “The Youth of the World”. In 2006 the presentation of the documentary film “Ah-Samara town” took place in the city of Almaty.
In 2021, television channel “Khabar” released a biographical feature program “Bulbul” about the life and work of the singer.
An autobiographical book of Roza Baglanova “Aynalayyn khalkymnan yerkeletken” (I am grateful to my people for coddling me) was published in 2007.
Many books and paintings were published about Roza Baglanova, and numerous poetic works were composed. Her name is included in the Anglo-American encyclopedia “Who is who” on par with such great women as Margaret Thatcher, Elizabeth Taylor, among others.
Film studio “Kazakhfilm” shot a documentary about Roza Baglanova “Our Rose”, which presents the great creative path of the singer.
She was awarded with numerous titles and awards for the popularization of Kazakh art.
On November 23, 2021, by the resolution of the 41st general conference of UNESCO, the Calendar of memorable dates for 2022-2023 was accepted, and by the recommendation of Kazakhstan with the support of Russia and Uzbekistan, the 100th anniversary of the singer Roza Baglanova was included in it. In order to preserve the memory of the outstanding Kazakh singer, several events have been planned in 2022 in Kazakhstan and abroad, as part of the celebration of her 100th anniversary.
On March 2, 1992, the Republic of Kazakhstan was accepted as a member of the United Nations at the plenary meeting of the 46th session of the UN General Assembly, thereby becoming a full-fledged actor of international relations.
As a responsible and reliable member of the international community, Kazakhstan has been pursuing a balanced, predictable and constructive foreign policy for all the 30 years of its independence. The country is fully committed to supporting the central role of UN in solving pressing global issues.
By voluntarily abandoning the world's fourth largest nuclear arsenal, Kazakhstan has made a real contribution to maintaining peace and international security, disarmament and strengthening the nonproliferation regime for weapons of mass destruction. The date of closure of the Semipalatinsk nuclear test site on the territory of Kazakhstan - August 29 - was proclaimed by the UN General Assembly, in December 2009, as the International Day against Nuclear Tests.
Kazakhstan is a co-founder of the Nuclear Weapons Free Zone in Central Asia. At the initiative of Kazakhstan, the UN General Assembly resolution “The Universal Declaration on Achieving a World Free of Nuclear Weapons” is adopted on a regular basis. The Declaration demonstrates the determination of all states to move step by step towards a nuclear weapons-free world.
In September 1992, from the rostrum of the UN, Kazakhstan put forward a proposal to convene the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA), which today has become a real factor in ensuring security and cooperation, uniting 27 countries of the Asian continent. Given the growing demand for confidence building measures, Kazakhstan is working with partners to transform CICA into the Organization for Security and Development in Asia.
Kazakhstan has ratified all 19 universal counter-terrorism conventions and protocols and takes an active part in implementing the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy. At the initiative of Kazakhstan, in September 2018, a Code of Conduct was developed and presented for signing to achieve a world free of terrorism. As of today 89 countries have joined to the Code.
Since 2017, Kazakhstan has hosted 17 rounds of the Astana Process on Syria aimed at facilitating UN efforts to resolve the protracted conflict. Kazakhstan was also one of the first to repatriate its citizens, primarily hundreds of children and women, from conflict zones in the Middle East.
Kazakhstan is making a feasible contribution to the efforts of the world community to stabilize the situation in Afghanistan. Humanitarian assistance is regularly provided to the Afghan population, national and international programs are being implemented to train Afghan youth, including girls, in educational institutions of Kazakhstan. The opening of a Temporary Remote Office of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) in Almaty is recognition of the role of Kazakhstan and the Organization's trust in our country.
Kazakhstan is convinced that promoting an ideology of tolerance, mutual understanding and cultural diversity is the key to combating hatred and discrimination. Hosted in Kazakhstan since 2003, the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, which was attended by the United Nations Secretary-General, the heads of the Alliance of Civilizations and UNESCO, is an example of interfaith dialogue. The VII Congress will be held in September 2022 in Kazakhstan.
Kazakhstan actively participates in UN peacekeeping activities by sending peacekeepers and military observers to various UN missions and provides peacekeeping courses recognized by the UN.
The election of our country to the UN Security Council in 2017-2018 was a recognition of the committed work of Kazakhstan in the field of strengthening peace and international security.
In order to strengthen the system of control over biological risks and threats, and to promote biological developments to be used exclusively for peaceful purposes, President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, at the 75th session of the UN General Assembly, put forward an initiative to create an International Agency for Biological Safety.
The Republic of Kazakhstan contributes to international efforts to implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. In keeping with this objective, a national architecture for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) has been created.
Despite its high dependence on fossil fuels, Kazakhstan aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 15% by 2030, and to achieve carbon neutrality by 2060.
In order to assist the countries of Central Asia and Afghanistan in promoting the SDGs, the KazAID Official Development Assistance Agency was established in 2020. To coordinate development activities in the Central Asian region, we propose to institutionalize the UN Regional Center for SDGs in Almaty.
Kazakhstan attaches particular importance to the observance of universal human rights and freedoms. Our country has acceded to all the fundamental documents and conventions of the United Nations in the field of human rights protection. Ongoing efforts are being made to bring national human rights legislation in line with international standards. Close cooperation with the relevant UN institutions ensures that our international obligations are in accordance with the highest norms. The election of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the UN Human Rights Council, for the term 2022-2024, confirms the commitment of our state to promote fundamental human rights and freedoms at the national and international levels.
Presently, the efforts of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and our people are aimed at building an economically stable, socially just and democratically developed state – a new Kazakhstan, based on the principle of “leaving no one behind”.
Celebrating the 30th anniversary of its membership in the United Nations, the Republic of Kazakhstan reiterates its firm commitment to the Charter of the Organization and the principles of international law. The UN remains indispensable as the only universal organization serving the interests and urgent needs of all of humankind.
Kazakhstan will continue to contribute to strengthening the role and authority of the UN and to all areas of its activity to implement our collective desire for a better and happy future.
The Extraordinary Congress of the ruling Amanat party (previously Nur Otan) was held in an online format on 1 March 2022 with the participation of Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, President of Kazakhstan and Chairman of the party. During the meeting, Yerlan Koshanov, speaker of the lower chamber of Kazakhstan’s parliament, proposed to rename the Nur Otan party to “Amanat”, which was approved by the Chairman.
While the Congress focused primarily on the priorities of the party and the country, President Tokayev made a statement on the situation in Ukraine.
“Our position should proceed from the critical need to ensure the security, sovereignty and territorial integrity of our state.
As the country that hosted the OSCE summit in 2010, we insist on the principle of the indivisibility of Eurasian security. I stated this during my visit to Moscow on February 10. The principle of indivisibility and common security stipulates mutual understanding based on mutual trust. Unfortunately, this has not happened. The Minsk agreements remained only on paper, which led to the military operations on the territory of Ukraine.
The geopolitical situation has escalated in an unprecedented way, and it is now time to talk about irreversibility of this trend. Therefore, we call on both states to find common ground at the negotiating table, to reach an agreement. There is no other way. A bad peace is better than a good war. Without peace, there will be no development.
Kazakhstan, for its part, is ready to provide all possible assistance, including intermediary services, if, of course, they are required”, President Tokayev said.
Commenting on the severe sanctions against Russia, and their potential impact on Kazakhstan, President Tokayev informed that he held a series of working meetings with the Security Council and set specific tasks for the Government to ensure sustainable socio-economic development of Kazakhstan. He said: “Our economy needs to be ready to repel the challenges posed by sanctions to ensure uninterrupted functioning in a crisis situation. I believe that we will overcome the difficulties and challenges together”. He emphasized that the challenges should not be underestimated, but there is no need to exaggerate them either.
Switching to the work of the Amanat party, the President outlined several tasks and priorities. They include launching a nation-wide initiative to gather ideas and proposals from citizens on the formation of the current national agenda, decentralising and increasing the efficiency of the party apparatus, reducing bureaucracy and paperwork, and enhancing the work of political factions in the Mazhilis and maslikhats. Tokayev also instructed to make use of parliamentary and public hearings. He also stressed that the evaluation of the work of the members of the party should be based on resolving the problems of citizens.
President Tokayev once again stated that the country has begun the huge task of creating a New Kazakhstan, and noted that the promotion of the interests of citizens and the openness of the party is an “extremely important priority”.