Address by the Head of State Kassym-Jomart Tokayev at the XXXII session of the Assembly of People of Kazakhstan

“Fair Kazakhstan: Unity, Stability, Development”

Distinguished members of the Assembly!

Dear participants!

Our country will soon celebrate the Day of Unity of the People of Kazakhstan. This is a very important holiday for our country, as it symbolizes harmony, peace and accord. This date has special significance, because the strength of the foundations of our sacred Homeland is directly related to the inviolability of our unity. This is an undeniable truth.

It has become a good tradition to hold an annual plenary session of the Assembly on the eve of the People’s Unity Day. This session is the largest event held at the state level in springtime. Very important proposals for our country are announced here. At last year’s session, I proposed to submit amendments to the Constitution to a national referendum. Our people then made a historic choice by voting in favor of the constitutional amendments. This was the first referendum since the adoption of our Fundamental Law.

When this initiative was announced, we had just embarked on the path of decisive transformations. We defined a goal and proposed a concrete action plan. Securing popular support was very important at that historic moment. At the same time, there were a variety of proposals, including introducing amendments through Parliament. We decided to take into account the opinion of every citizen.

We relied on the fundamental principle that the people are the only source of state power. As a result, we discovered the truth of popular wisdom that “a fur coat sewn together will not be short”. The work done during the year demonstrates that the referendum played a great historical role. It mobilized all our people to build a Fair Kazakhstan. Citizens demonstrated strong national unity at a crucial moment. This is the decisive outcome of the referendum and the main achievement of our people. Political and economic reforms cannot be implemented without unity and stability. This is obviously right. But unity is not only the path to our goal, but also one of the main pillars of our statehood. I have repeatedly said that the independence and territorial integrity of our country is the highest priority. The unity of the people is inextricably linked with these unshakable values. This is the only way we can build our bright future.

Peace and harmony should be perceived not only as a state ideology, but also as an integral part of our public and personal life and work. This should not be just an empty slogan, but the common stance of every citizen. Our people understand firsthand the true meaning of unity and peace. These are enduring values of the representatives of all ethnicities who have survived hard times and found shelter on the Kazakh land. Thanks to the recognition of and respect for these values, our people live in peace. This is an unprecedented achievement!

Every citizen must work tirelessly to strengthen unity. This work should never stop.  After all, only where there is unity, there will be life. We must always be true to this unshakable principle. Not everyone is aware of the importance of peace and harmony, so the need for an Assembly is sometimes called into question. In fact, the Assembly is a key institution that strengthens the foundation of our statehood. The Assembly of People of Kazakhstan is a unique structure that serves to strengthen our unity. The Assembly unites all ethnic groups living on the sacred Kazakh land. Citizens that are part of the Assembly can be called messengers of unity. I am confident that all of you will fulfill this important mission with dignity.

 

Dear compatriots!

Since the 31st session of the Assembly of People of Kazakhstan, our country experienced fundamental changes. The political system has been systemically transformed, and a new, more democratic model of government has been created. The power has been decentralized: from the President to the Parliament, from the center to the regions. The single seven-year term of the presidency is enshrined in law and is not subject to revision. A mixed model of the formation of the Mazhilis (lower house of parliament) and maslikhats (local executive bodies) has been introduced. The oversight functions of Parliament have been strengthened, and rule-making procedures have been optimized.

 

The process to register a political party has been simplified, a mechanism for revoking the mandates of members of Parliament has been introduced, akims (governors) of regions are appointed on an alternative basis with the consent of members of maslikhats. As a result, opportunities for citizens to participate in the governance of the country have significantly expanded. Thanks to innovations in the electoral system, including the introduction of direct elections of rural akims (mayors), people have practical tools to influence local authorities.

With the creation of the Constitutional Court and the granting of a constitutional status to the Commissioner for Human Rights, the human rights sphere has substantially strengthened. I am convinced that the new state model supported at the referendum fully meets the aspirations of our people and the universally recognized principles of democratic development. It ensures regular rotation of power and stability of the political system. It strengthens the development of Kazakhstan exclusively on democratic principles and open political competition. During the large-scale transformations, special attention was paid to the Assembly.

This unique institution has acquired new tools of parliamentary representation, which fully corresponds to the best international practice. Five members of the Senate, appointed by the President on the proposal of the Assembly, are called upon at the legislative level to provide feedback, public oversight and represent the interests of all ethnic groups of Kazakhstan in Parliament.

In addition, 12 members of the Assembly joined the National Kurultai (Council), bringing invaluable experience in promoting a universal model of national dialogue.

It should be emphasized that the Assembly (APK) has played an important role in the political modernization of the country, strengthening national unity. The APK contributed to the expansion of public support for reforms, the involvement of all ethnic groups in solving strategic tasks of the development of the state. Thus, in its geopolitical environment, Kazakhstan has become the only country that implements such profound transformations. Obviously, it will not be easy for us, but it is impossible to turn off this path or slow down under any circumstances. We must always remember that the interests of the country are above all, and the interests of citizens are at the center of everything. Therefore, all our reforms are primarily aimed at strengthening statehood and ensuring the well-being of citizens.

The program of political reforms has become a new real and attractive platform for the integration of all ethnic groups into a single nation. The new model of the political system should become a well-coordinated mechanism with the inclusion of key state institutions in it. A new system of political coordinates, harmonious interethnic relations aimed at development and creation are being built in a new way within the framework of this model. The election campaigns and the referendum held last year clearly demonstrated our unity. They also made it possible to increase the level of mutual trust between the state and society and showed the unity of the position of all citizens regarding the future of the country. Thanks to the strengthening of civic identity, the past election campaigns were free from ethnic or other narrow preferences, or archaic stereotypes.

The main factor was the general civil motives of choice, which reflected real political competition, a variety of views and ideas. Now we have entered the practical stage of building a Just and Fair Kazakhstan. New ideas, new institutions, new social relations are being actively formed in society – these are real reforms that change the face of society and the state. What we recently talked about as strategic plans has become a tangible reality. Tomorrow is gradually turning into Today. We make decisive decisions together, we build our common future together. And I am deeply convinced that such unity of goals will certainly serve as a powerful engine for our reforms. By and large, this is our most important and invaluable achievement.

 

Dear participants of the session!

True democracy, not in words, but in deeds, creates the most favorable conditions for the progressive development of the nation and the rooting of the idea of citizenship. We can safely say that during the years of Independence we have formed a new national identity. How does it manifest itself and what are its symbols?

To answer this question, it is not necessary to develop artificial ideological concepts, engage in interpretations and reflections. In fact, everything lies on the surface.

Our turquoise passport and sky-blue flag are the real symbols of our identity, conditioned by history itself and finding a lively response in the hearts of millions of people.

Our passport gives a person the full scope of rights and obligations related to citizenship of the Republic of Kazakhstan, regardless of ethnic origin, religious views, or social status. To have our passport means to be a citizen of a country respected in the international arena, to be able to freely visit all countries and feel like an integral part of the modern world. This means feeling protected always and everywhere by your state. The passport of Kazakhstan embodies the progressive values on which our unity and harmony are based. In turn, the sky-blue flag of Kazakhstan vividly embodies our sacred Independence and centuries-old statehood. Whenever our banner is raised aloft at major international sports competitions and other similar events, we are overwhelmed with a sense of pride for our country.

Our famous compatriots – athletes, cultural figures, scientists, students, entrepreneurs, regardless of their ethnicity, are always called Kazakhs abroad. And this is natural, and it should be so.

Our society is a union of free and responsible citizens united by common ideals and values. And this is another vivid manifestation of our national identity. Therefore, today all our citizens feel like members of one large and unified Kazakh family, a nation. We are all one family, and these are not big words, but our actual reality.

At the same time, our ethno-cultural diversity, of which we are rightfully proud, will not disappear anywhere, but, on the contrary, will be further strengthened by a single civic foundation. We have developed our own special way of life, in which the traditions of different cultures merge into a solid fusion of national identity. This unique identity, having withstood the test of time, has become the core of public consciousness.

“Unity in diversity”, “We are different, but we are one” – these are not slogans, but the very essence of our daily life. This year, the beginning of the holy month of Ramadan fell on the days of the celebration of Nauryz. The date of Easter and Eid al-Fitr were celebrated close to each other. I see special symbolism in this. During the days of fasting, believers, as a rule, talk a lot about unshakable moral values, and express good wishes to each other. Similarly, Easter is a bright holiday, calling people to the highest humanistic ideals. Therefore, all these holidays have become common for millions of citizens of our country, regardless of their ethnicity. We are witnessing an amazing unity of our citizens. Representatives of all ethnic groups of our country adopt various aspects of the Kazakh way of life. You are well aware that many representatives of ethnic groups adhere to the traditions and customs of the Kazakh people. This is a natural process, because Kazakhstan has become a second home for them after their own house, where they were born, grew up, received an education, and created a family.

Such a close interweaving of traditions, interethnic and interfaith harmony, tolerance to other cultures is our priceless asset, our national brand, as they now say. The cultural and moral foundations of our united nation are also patriotism, courtesy, hospitality, diligence, respect for folk traditions and family foundations. Moreover, this, one might say, is the moral backbone of our entire society. The centuries-old ideas of our people about the inner moral core of each person were based on this. The formula of the Great Abai says: “Keep your mind, will and heart in balance, they all will make you a complete person.” Indeed, only people with a deep worldview and a high level of responsibility will be able to modernize society and lead our nation forward, uniting representatives of different ethnic groups and cultures.

In every citizen who has a sense of love for their Homeland, care and responsibility for the fate of his Fatherland, a new quality of our nation finds its embodiment. I believe this is the most optimal life philosophy for all citizens of Kazakhstan. And this, in my opinion, is the universal formula for harmonious interethnic relations in our country. Kazakhstan’s relations with other countries should be based on the principles of unity, peace and mutual understanding.  This, first and foremost, concerns neighboring, fraternal states, with which we are moving into the future together.

Recently, the President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Zhaparov wrote warm words on social media about the brotherhood of the Kazakh and Kyrgyz peoples.

Indeed, we have common roots and a common destiny. We overcome difficulties and share success together. The great Abai said: “No Kazakh will doubt the common origin of the Kyrgyz and Kazakhs.” Mukhtar Auezov made a special contribution to the popularization of the poem “Manas” and its protection from ideological persecution. He treated Molda Kylysh and Chingiz Aitmatov as his brothers. Undoubtedly, this is a vivid example of the special closeness of the two peoples. The plots and characters of the works of Chingiz Aitmatov are closely connected with the Kazakh land. I am firmly convinced that two close people living near the slopes of Alatau will always be together. We must develop relations with other fraternal countries and neighboring states in the same spirit.

 

Distinguished participants of the session!

The Assembly is the most important element of our country’s political system. It makes a huge contribution to strengthening the unity of the country. Many of our citizens take part in the activities of the Assembly. Last year, the Assembly’s Development Concept was approved.

It identifies priority areas for further work. One of the main tasks is to involve the public in the formation of civic identity. It is also very important to establish a constructive dialogue between the state and civil society. Today, the Assembly is implementing projects of national importance that are aimed at promoting spiritual values common to all our people.

The Assembly actively supports volunteer and charity events, promoting qualities such as benevolence, compassion and care. Thanks to this, the idea of social responsibility has been established in society. The Assembly contributes to the development of the mediation institute. We are working closely with young people. This is a very large-scale and important area of work. In summary, the members of the Assembly are true patriots, devoted to their country, who work for the benefit of a bright future of Kazakhstan. I take this opportunity to express my gratitude to my public deputies – Taufiq Akramovich Karimov and Natalia Grigorievna Dementieva for their fruitful work during the year. And let me introduce the newly appointed deputies from ethno-cultural associations – Akbarjon Ismailov and Aurika Georgievna Dyak. I wish you success in your work!