Kassym-Jomart Tokayev

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Qаsym-Jomаrt Тoqаev
Қасым-Жомарт Тоқаев
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev (2020-02-01).jpg
Tokayev in 2020
2nd President of Kazakhstan
Assumed office
20 March 2019
Acting: 20 March 2019 – 12 June 2019
Prime MinisterAskar Mamin
Preceded byNursultan Nazarbayev
6th Chair of the Senate
In office
16 October 2013 – 19 March 2019
DeputyQairat Işçanov
Asqar Beisenbaev
Sergey Gromov
Bektas Beknazarov
Preceded byKairat Mami
Succeeded byDariga Nazarbayeva
In office
11 January 2007 – 15 April 2011
DeputyMuhambet Kopeev
Aleksandr Sudin
Preceded byNurtai Abykayev
Succeeded byKairat Mami
State Secretary of Kazakhstan
In office
29 January 2002 – 13 June 2003
PresidentNursultan Nazarbayev
Preceded byAbish Kekilbayev
Succeeded byImangali Tasmagambetov
4th Prime Minister of Kazakhstan
In office
12 October 1999 – 28 January 2002
Acting: 1 October 1999 – 12 October 1999
PresidentNursultan Nazarbayev
First DeputyAleksandr Pavlov
(1999–2000)
Daniyal Akhmetov
(2000–2001)
Preceded byNurlan Balgimbayev
Succeeded byImangali Tasmagambetov
Deputy Prime Minister of Kazakhstan
In office
15 March 1999 – 1 October 1999
Prime MinisterNurlan Balgimbayev
Minister of Foreign Affairs
In office
29 January 2002 – 11 January 2007
PresidentNursultan Nazarbayev
Prime MinisterImangali Tasmagambetov
(2002–2003)
Daniyal Akhmetov
(2003–2007)
Karim Massimov
(2007)
Preceded byErlan Idrissov
Succeeded byMarat Tazhin
In office
13 October 1994 – 12 October 1999
Prime MinisterAkezhan Kazhegeldin
(1994–1997)
Nurlan Balgimbayev
(1997–1999)
Preceded byKanat Saudabayev
Succeeded byErlan Idrissov
Member of the Senate
In office
16 October 2013 – 19 March 2019
In office
11 January 2007 – 15 April 2011
Chairman of the Assembly of People
Assumed office
28 April 2021
Preceded byNursultan Nazarbayev
11th Director-General of the United Nations Office at Geneva
In office
12 March 2011 – 16 October 2013
Preceded bySergei Ordzhonikidze
Succeeded byMichael Møller
Personal details
Born
Kassym-Jomart Kemelevich Tokayev

(1953-05-17) 17 May 1953 (age 68)
Alma-Ata, Kazakh SSR, Soviet Union
(now Almaty, Kazakhstan)
NationalityKazakhstani
Political partyNur Otan
Other political
affiliations		KPSS (before 1991)
Spouse(s)Nadezhda Tokayeva
(divorced)
Children1
ResidenceAk Orda Presidential Palace
Alma materMoscow State Institute of International Relations
Websiteakorda.kz
Military service
Allegiance Kazakhstan
Branch/serviceArmed Forces of the Republic of Kazakhstan
Years of service2019–present
RankПогон верховного главнокомандующего Казахстана.png
Supreme Commander

Kassym-Jomart Kemeluly Tokayev (Kazakh: Қасым-Жомарт Кемелұлы Тоқаев, romanized: Qаsym-Jomаrt Kemelūly Тoqаev, [qɑˈsəm ʒɔˈmɑrt kɛˌmɛluˈlə tɔˈqɑjɪf]; born 17 May 1953) is a Kazakh politician and diplomat who has served as the President of Kazakhstan since 20 March 2019.[1][2] He succeeded Nursultan Nazarbayev, who resigned on 19 March 2019 after 29 years in office.[3]

Tokayev began his career in 1975 when he worked as diplomat in Singapore and China. In 1992, he became the Deputy Foreign Minister of Kazakhstan, where he took a position against nuclear disarmament in the former Soviet countries. In March 1999, Tokayev became the Deputy Prime Minister. In October 1999, with the endorsement of the Parliament, he was appointed as a Prime Minister by the presidential decree. From 2002, Tokayev served as Foreign Minister, where he continued to play an active role in the field of nuclear non-proliferation. He then served as the Chair of the Senate of Kazakhstan from 11 January 2007 to 15 April 2011 and from 16 October 2013 to 19 March 2019 and was the Director-General of the United Nations Office at Geneva from 12 March 2011 to 16 October 2013.[4]

On 20 March 2019, his predecessor Nursultan Nazarbayev resigned, resulting in Tokayev becoming the acting president. He announced snap elections for 9 June 2019 and shortly with the endorsement by Nazarbayev became nominee for the ruling Nur Otan. Tokayev was elected president of Kazakhstan with 71% of the popular vote in a criticised vote.[5] At his inauguration, Tokayev promised a continuation of Nazarbayev's policies in the country's development and social and economic reforms. During his tenure, he has signed certain reform laws aimed at democratizing the country.

Early life and education[]

Kassym-Jomart Tokayev was born to a Kazakh Muslim family in the city of Almaty. His father, Kemel Tokayev (1923–1986), was a World War II veteran and a well-known Kazakh writer. His mother, Turar Shabarbayeva (1931–2000), worked at the Alma-Ata Institute of Foreign Languages. He was named after his uncle Kemel Tokayev, who was also a Red Army soldier and was killed during the Battle of Rzhev. When describing the impact the war had on his father, Tokayev said that he "did not like to talk about the war" and only shared his feelings upon "his first encounter with the enemy, the courage of the average soldier, and his burning desire to return home."[6] Kemel after the war received a medal for his coverage of the development of the Virgin Lands campaign.

From 1970, Tokayev attended the Moscow State Institute of International Relations. In his fifth year, he was sent to training courses at the Soviet embassy in China for six months.

Early career[]

Upon graduation from the Moscow State Institute of International Relations in 1975, Tokayev joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the USSR and was posted to the Soviet Embassy in Singapore.

In 1979, he returned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the USSR. In 1983, he went to China for training courses at the Beijing Language Institute. In 1984–1985, he served in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He was then posted to the Soviet embassy in Beijing where he served until 1991 as Second Secretary, First Secretary, and Counsellor. In 1991, he enrolled at the Diplomatic Academy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the USSR in Moscow in a training course for senior diplomats.

Political career[]

Deputy Foreign Minister (1992–1994)[]

In March 1992, Tokayev was appointed as a Deputy Foreign Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan. He took stance against nuclear disarmament in former Soviet countries of Belarus and Ukraine under pressure by Russia, causing negotiations to be held under the United Nations Security Council where he wrote “this was a significant success of Kazakh diplomacy, which was taking its first steps in the international arena, opened the way for further negotiations with all influential states at the highest level."[7]

In 1993, he became First Deputy Foreign Minister and on 13 October 1994, Tokayev was appointed to the post of Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Prime Minister of Kazakhstan (1999–2002)[]

Main article: Tokayev Cabinet
Tokayev with Vladimir Putin in the Kremlin, 19 January 2000

In March 1999, Tokayev was promoted to the post of Deputy Prime Minister. In October 1999, with the endorsement of the Parliament, he was appointed as a Prime Minister by Decree of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan. During his tenure, the GDP growth rate grew by 13.5% in 2001 while the inflation rate being reduced by 11.2%.[8]

On 20 November 2001, at the Khabar Agency broadcast, Tokayev threatened to resign from his post as the PM unless President Nursultan Nazarbayev would dismiss several government officials whom he accused of being "intriguers" such as Deputy PM Oraz Jandosov, Labour and Social Protection of the Population Minister Alikhan Baimenov, Pavlodar Regional äkim Galymzhan Zhakiyanov and Deputy Defense Minister Janat Ertlesova by trying to decentralise the country's executive branch and slow down the democratization programs. The move came just days after a group of prominent Kazakh officials whom Tokayev accused and others announced the creation of Democratic Choice of Kazakhstan at a press conference.[9] As a result, six cabinet members, including Jandosov, Zhakiyanov and Ertlesova were dismissed by Nazarbayev.[10]

On 28 January 2002, Tokayev resigned from his post without a full explanation, calling it a "normal event" due to "a strong presidency". He was subsequently appointed as a State Secretary and Minister of Foreign Affairs concurrently.[11]

Foreign Minister and State Secretary (1994–1999, 2002–2007)[]

Tokayev in 2006

As a Minister of Foreign Affairs, Tokayev played an active role in the field of nuclear non-proliferation. In 1995 and 2005, he participated in the Review Conferences for the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) in New York City. In 1996, he signed the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) in New York, and in 2005 the Treaty on a Nuclear-Weapons-Free Zone in Central Asia (CANWFZ) in Semipalatinsk.

He was elected Chairman of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Commonwealth of Independent States and of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation. Tokayev took part in ten sessions of the United Nations General Assembly. He held a diplomatic rank of Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary.

Senate Chair (2007–2011, 2013–2019)[]

As Chair of the Senate of Kazakhstan, Tokayev was elected in 2008 as a Vice-President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). He served the post until being relieved on 15 April 2011 after being appointed as Director-General of the United Nations. President Nursultan Nazarbayev expressed his gratitude towards Tokayev, stating that he's "absolutely committed to the path of reforms that I am pursuing."[12]

On 16 October 2013, he was reappointed again as the Senate Chair and was unanimously confirmed by the Senate MP's.[13]

During the 2016 Protests against land reforms in Kazakhstan, Tokayev stressed the issue of land lease to be dealt with in a critical matter.[14]

After Kazakhstan unveiled its first proposed version of the Latin alphabet in 2017, it received criticism among citizens and linguistics over its use of apostrophes for marking accent letters.[15] Many businesses and organisations began adopting the new latinised script.[16]

During the interview to BBC News in June 2018, Tokayev hinted a possibility on Nazarbayev's succession by expressing his belief that he wouldn't run for re-election as his presidential term was to end in 2020.[17]

Director-General of the U.N. Office at Geneva[]

Tokayev speaking at the U.N. Economic Commission for Europe, 1 October 2012
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev with Sergey Lavrov and John Kerry on 13 September 2013

In March 2011, the Secretary-General of the United Nations announced the appointment of Tokayev as Under Secretary-General, Director-General of the United Nations Office at Geneva and Personal Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General to the Conference on Disarmament. He served as Secretary-General of the Conference on Disarmament. He was also the Designated Official for safety and security of U.N. personnel for Switzerland.

Tokayev holds a Doctorate in Political Science. He is the author of nine books and numerous articles on international affairs. He is a Fellow of the World Academy of Art and Science, a member of the Panel of Eminent Persons at the Munich Security Conference, an Honorary Professor of Shenzhen University, an Honorary Professor and Doctor of the Diplomatic Academy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, as well as a member of its Board of Trustees. He is also Honorary Dean of the Geneva School of Diplomacy and International Relations. As Director-General of UNOG, he received the "Academicus" award from the University of Geneva. According to the Russian Biographic Institution, Tokayev was admitted as a "Person of the year – 2018".

Presidency[]

On 19 March 2019, then-President Nursultan Nazarbayev announced his resignation. According to the Constitution of Kazakhstan, in case of early termination of powers, the Senate Chairman becomes President until the end of the previous term.[18] On 20 March, Tokayev officially took office as president.[19][1][20] Immediately after the inauguration, Tokayev proposed renaming the capital city of Kazakhstan after his predecessor, and the same day the Parliament of Kazakhstan approved the renaming of Astana to Nur-Sultan.[21][22] Russian President Vladimir Putin was one of the first foreign leaders to congratulate Tokayev, inviting him to visit Moscow in a joint telephone conversation with him and Nazarbayev.[23] The Chinese government also described Tokayev as an "old friend" and "good friend".[24]

Tokayev and Putin in the Kremlin, 4 April 2019

On 9 April 2019, Tokayev announced early elections to be held on 9 June 2019.[25] On 23 April, Tokayev became a candidate for president following his nomination by the Nur Otan party.[26][27] During the campaign, Tokayev was mocked on social media for his use of photo manipulation software to erase his wrinkles and double chin from official photos.[28] Tokayev was elected president of Kazakhstan on 9 June with 71% of the popular vote.[5] He was congratulated by foreign heads of state such as Xi Jinping, Ilham Aliyev, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Emomali Rahmon, and Sooronbay Jeenbekov.[29][30][31][32]

Tokayev delivered his first State of the Nation Address on 2 September 2019. The address focused on strengthening civil society and social security, supporting domestic business and economic development.[33]

On 28 April 2021, former president Nazarbayev resigned from the post as the chairman of the Assembly of People of Kazakhstan (QHA). From there, he proposed Tokayev to succeed him which was supported by the QHA members. Tokayev, in turn, suggested Nazarbayev to be named as the "Honorary Chairman", saying that the status should "rightfully belong" to him due to a "historical merit."[34]

Domestic actions[]

In October 2019, it was announced that all potential ministerial candidates needed the approval of Nazarbayev before being appointed, with the exception of Minister of Defence, Interior Minister and Foreign Minister.[35] After the Bek Air Flight 2100 crash, Tokayev declared the following day, 28 December, a national day of mourning and said that "all those responsible will be severely punished in accordance with the law."[36] He also ordered the suspension of the flight authorisation of Bek Air, the domestic airline involved.[37]

On 29 February 2020, in an interview to Informburo news agency, Tokayev commented on the fate of Mukhtar Dzhakishev: "This issue is exclusively within the competence of the court. Of course, I am aware that Dzhakishev has repeatedly applied for parole on ill-health. The session of the court of first instance will be held on 3 March. Let’s wait for its decision, which I am sure will be fair." On 3 March 2020, the Semey City Court upheld the motion to grant parole to Dzhakishev. He served a 14-year prison sentence since 2009.

On 15 March 2020, due to the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic in Kazakhstan, President Tokayev signed a Decree on the introduction of a state of emergency in the country. The state of emergency remained in effect from 16 March to 15 April. On 16 March 2020, during his televised address to the people of Kazakhstan, Tokayev stressed that he had signed a special decree on measures to ensure the stability of the state functioning. These documents enable us to increase the efficiency of state bodies, strengthen the vertical of power and make all necessary decisions promptly in a manual mode. In an attempt to stop the spread of the virus, Tokayev ordered the cancellations of both the Nowruz celebrations as well as the Victory Day military parade in honour of the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II.[38][39][40]

On 2 May 2020, Nazarbayev's daughter Dariga Nazarbayeva was removed from the Senate and her role as the Chair by order of President Tokayev.[41] Many theories arose that this was a sign of either Tokayev was expanding his political influence or a growing feud between the ruling elite.[42]

In 2021, Tokayev signed into law a bill that bans selling and leasing agricultural land to foreigners.[43][44][45]

Political reforms[]

See also: Politics of Kazakhstan

In May 2020, Tokayev signed the laws “On the procedure for organizing and holding peaceful assemblies in the Republic of Kazakhstan”, “On introducing amendments to the Constitutional Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan“, “On Elections in the Republic of Kazakhstan”, and “On introducing amendments and additions to the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan “On Political Parties”.[46] The new laws are an important part of the measures to strengthen the state’s democratic foundations, and enhance the role of civil society.[46] In his State of the Nation Address, he emphasised that "Kazakhstan must create a multi-party system to build a modern, effective state", also saying that the ruling Nur Otan party should collaborate more with other parties.[47][48]

Tokayev advocated political reforms that would promote the concept of a "state that listens" to civil society creating a constructive dialogue.[33] Tokayev initiated the establishment of the new National Council of Public Trust to facilitate this dialogue.[33] He also called for direct elections for the äkıms (local heads) of rural districts, townships, and villages to be held in 2021 to which he signed decree on 14 September 2020 of the implementation of National Plan of Measures which set tasks for the drafting of constitutional amendments that would allow for rural äkım direct elections as well as the development of local government and its functions.[49][50] After the 2021 legislative elections which saw three of five contesting parties retain their seats in the Mazhilis, Tokayev at the opening 1st Session of the 7th Parliament proposed to reduce the electoral threshold from 7% to 5%, stating it would encourage more registered parties to participate in the future parliamentary elections as well as the vote option "Against all" to be re-included in the ballots once again.[51] As the Parliament ratified Tokayev's proposed constitutional amendments, he signed the laws into place on 25 May 2021.[52]

Capital punishment[]

See also: Capital punishment in Kazakhstan

In December 2019, Tokayev announced that Kazakhstan would join the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, after the issue was raised by Kazakh human rights activists and experts during discussions at the meetings of the National Council of Public Trust. From there, Tokayev set the task for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to start the process of joining the Second Optional Protocol which would set measures in abolishing of death penalty in the country.[53][54]

At the Seventy-fifth session of the United Nations General Assembly, Tokayev spoke to the Assembly, saying that his decision was driven "to fulfill a fundamental right to life and human dignity." Kazakh Representative to the UN Kairat Umarov signed the protocol on 23 September 2020.[53] The Parliament ratified the document on 29 December 2020 and on 2 January 2021, Tokayev signed decree in abolishing death penalty in Kazakhstan.[55] The move received applause from such people as Amnesty International’s Director for Eastern Europe and Central Asia Marie Struthers, telling that "Kazakhstan getting closer to joining the ever-growing community of nations that have left this shameful punishment behind," while International Commission Against the Death Penalty (ICDP) President Navi Pillay called it a "historic international commitment to end the death penalty during peacetime."[56][57]

Climate change[]

See also: Climate change in Kazakhstan

Tokayev expressed support for the tackling of climate change, calling it "urgent and existential."[58] At the Climate Ambitions Summit in which was held remotely on 12 December 2020, Tokayev pledged for Kazakhstan to reach carbon neutrality by 2060 with a development and adoption of a long term development strategy to lower emissions and de-carbonisation of the economy. He said that Kazakhstan is "highly vulnerable to climate change as a landlocked and developing state" with a heavy reliant on fossil fuels and proposed for the planting for two billion trees within the country in order increase carbon absorption and curb looming desertification problems.[58]

In May 2021, Tokayev announced the Low-Carbon Development Concept, a national project which seeks to reduce Kazakhstan's dependency on coal by development electric power industry and the country’s energy balance by 2035.[59]

Corruption[]

See also: Corruption in Kazakhstan

Tokayev described his vision regarding to corruption, calling it a "direct damage to national security" and advocated for the need of accountability for implementation of state programs and the use of budget funds by äkıms. He warned that any crime related to inefficient use or theft of public funds would be severely suppressed and punished. In a government meeting, he expressed his belief that the heads of state agencies should resign in case of corruption crimes of their subordinates, stating that a resignation is a mandatory measure and any objection is "prerogative for the head of state."[60]

In a government meeting, Tokayev expressed his belief that the heads of state agencies should resign in case of corruption crimes of their subordinates, stating that a resignation is a mandatory measure and any objection is "prerogative for the head of state."[60] On 28 November 2019, he signed the "On Amendments and Additions to Certain Legislative Acts of the Republic of Kazakhstan on Civil Service and Anti-Corruption Issues" law into place, which obliged government ministers and äkıms to resign if the top officials within institutions are found guilty of corruption.[61][62]

In October 2019, Tokayev ordered the Anti-Corruption Agency to intensify its probe into the disappearance of funds during implementation of the project Nur-Sultan Light Metro (LRT), hinting that the city government may have been involved in case in letting certain people involved within the project to flee abroad, referring to the former LRT chief executive Talgat Ardan whom was issued an arrest warrant in July 2019 on the charges of embezzlement.[63] Tokayev in regards pledged for the project to continue, noting that any persons behind the case must be held accountable.[63][64]

Economy[]

See also: Economy of Kazakhstan

In regards to economy, Tokayev spoke in favour for a distribution of national income, calling it "strategically important" for the country.[65] On 17 June 2019, he signed a decree, forming the Ministry of Trade and Integration, appointing Bakhyt Sultanov to the post which would aim to increase exports essential to economic growth and job creation.[66]

In an interview to Bloomberg News, Tokayev announced a debt relief "for people who find themselves in very difficult circumstances", telling that his initiative would target 16% of the Kazakhstan's population. At the same time, he called for an end of government bailouts for banks, believing that the state should not be involved with the issue.[67] That same day on 26 June 2019, he signed decree "On measures to reduce the debt burden of citizens of the Republic of Kazakhstan" which instructed the government and the National Bank to start the process of decommissioning unsecured consumer loans.[68][69]

At the January 2020 government meeting, Tokayev set the task of forming the Centre for Analysis and Monitoring of Socio-Economic Reforms under the Presidential Administration, which would operate on a voluntary basis and later be transformed into a Presidential Reform Agency.[70] At the same time, he called for more enforced registration of cars imported from Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), noting that auto owners themselves would be required to pay the registration fee and tax despite criticism from several car owners with Kyrgyzstani and Armenian number plates whom protested Tokayev's proposal in several cities.[70][71]

On 9 March 2020, following the worsening economic situation worldwide as a result of COVID-19 pandemic, Tokayev instructed the government to form an anti-crisis plan which would fulfill "all social obligations".[72] On 17 March, a series of packages were unveiled which aimed at easing burden for private sector by providing cheaper credit, tax incentives, cutting back on audits and promoting employment.[73]

Education[]

See also: Education in Kazakhstan

At the teacher's conference held in August 2019, Tokayev announced that the average salary for school teachers in Kazakhstan would be increased by double within four years. He also instructed the Ministry of Education and Science to develop and launch special programs to overcome the academic gap of children from low-income families and schools in socially troubled areas, noting the need of overcome educational inequality specially between rural and urban areas.[74]

On 30 December 2019, Tokayev signed the law "On the status of the teacher", an act aimed at supporting the profession of school teachers and enhancing the prestige of teaching.[75][76]

In the third meeting of the National Council of Public Trust, Tokayev announced that the salary of university professors would too be increased and in an attempt to enhance competitiveness in the country’s higher education system, an average cost of educational grants were also increased.[77]

Environment[]

See also: Environment of Kazakhstan

In his inaugural speech, Tokayev called environmental issues "concerning" and proposed a unified policy by adopting a new code which would protect the environment.[78][65] On 17 June 2019, he signed a decree forming the Ministry of Ecology, Geology and Natural Resources, appointing Magzum Myrzagaliev to the post.[79][80] The Ministry was given the authority to protect the environment, oversee the rational use of natural resources, geology and reproduction of the mineral and raw materials base, as well as the treatment of solid household waste, water and wastewater, and forestry.[81]

Tokayev addressed the problems regarding the air pollution in Almaty.[82] He instructed the government, city äkımat, and Samruk-Energy to implement final decision in the transformation of the Almaty-2 thermal power station to natural gas in order to limit harmful emissions that come from the plant which is estimated to be 30% of all other sources, warning that any delay would be "absolutely unacceptable."[82][83]

Healthcare[]

See also: Healthcare in Kazakhstan

During the state address to the nation, Tokayev announced that a health insurance mandate would be launched in Kazakhstan starting from 1 January 2020 in order to improve the quality and accessibility of medical services.[84] He also noted that the government would maintain a guaranteed amount of free medical care with more than 2.8 trillion tenge allocated for its financing over the next three years and that an additional of 2.3 trillion tenge would be spent for the development of healthcare system.[84]

At meeting of the National Council of Public Trust, Tokayev urged ministers to review and decriminalise medical errors, calling it "unfair criminal prosecution."[85] On 7 July 2020, he signed the new code "On public health and healthcare system" and law "On amendments and additions to certain legislative acts on healthcare issues" into place, which strengthened legal protection for medical personnel, introduced a differentiated approach to medical errors, and redefined a citizen’s rights regarding vaccination. The code also restricted the consumption of e-cigarettes and introduced a ban on the import, production and distribution of snus and other non-smoking tobacco products, as well as introduced administrative responsibility for the sale of tobacco products to persons under the age of 21.[85]

Infrastructure[]

Tokayev pledged for the government to invest 1.2 trillion tenge for the development of infrastructure until 2022 for Kazakh citizens to have an access for clean drinking water, natural gas and public transport and continue in monitoring the implementation of the Nurly Zhol programme, which was enacted by Nazarbayev.[84] He called for the officials along with the Parliament and Accounts Committee to ensure the efficient use of budget funds.[84]

During a visit to Almaty in May 2020, Tokayev was presented with plans for the reconstruction of the Almaty International Airport which included a new terminal, from there he expressed his desire that the Almaty Airport would become largest aviation hub in Central Asia.[86]

Foreign policy[]

Main article: List of international presidential trips made by Kassym-Jomart Tokayev

Tokayev pledged continuity of foreign policy initiated by his predecessor Nursultan Nazarbayev. This means the continuation of measures to attract foreign investments, multi-vector foreign policy and ensuring security in the region.[87] During his first month in office, he had met 4 world leaders, 2 of them abroad and the other two in Nur-Sultan.

On 7 April 2021, Tokayev signed decree forming the Special Representative for International Cooperation, claiming that such post would increase attention of Kazakhstan’s leadership to international cooperation concerns in the light of the dynamically changing global and regional agenda.[88] He appointed Erzhan Kazykhanov to the post, whom was instructed to deal with issues of expanding international cooperation in the humanitarian sphere, climate diplomacy, as well as promoting Kazakhstan’s key foreign policy initiatives.[88]

Following the 2021 Taliban offensive, Tokayev urged to take measures in ensuring safety of Kazakhstani citizens and diplomats within Afghanistan, in which Kazakhstan would closely follow its developments.[89] During a meeting with the EU Special Representative for Central Asia Tehri Hakala, Tokayev expressed concern in regards to the stability in Afghanistan, warning that entire region of Central Asian is facing a risk due to the conflict.[90] On 18 August 2021, he instructed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to attempt to provide a maximum assistance in returning ethnic Kazakhs residing in Afghanistan, while noting that the issue of accepting Afghan refugees would not be considered.[91]

Russia[]

See also: Kazakhstan–Russia relations

According to political analysist Rico Isaacs, the decision in Tokayev replacing Nursultan Nazarbayev was due to his own full will to not rapidly implement democratization reforms, which would hurt Nazarbayev's legacy of stablity and relations with Russia.[92] Just two weeks after taking office, Tokayev visited Moscow in his first foreign state visit on 4 April 2019, meeting with Putin alongside other Russian officials.[93] During the visit, Putin offered Russian assistance to Tokayev in the construction of a proposed nuclear power plant in the country.[94] In June 2019, Tokayev ruled out that the decision of constructing a nuclear power plants would be made on decision by local matter, if by means of a referendum.[95] At a meeting with cabinet officials, Tokayev stated that Kazakhstan would not rush with the proposal, although noting that nation shouldn't delay longer with decision. He argued that the entire developed world relies on on nuclear power telling that "phobias are out of place here."[96]

During a visit to Sochi in October 2019, Tokayev in a speech at Valdai Discussion Club praised Russia as a "great state" and that "in the modern world no key problem, be it global or regional, can be solved without the constructive participation of Russia."[92]

In late 2020, Russian lawmakers Vyacheslav Nikonov and Yevgeny Fyodorov made remarks on how the entire Kazakhstani territory was a gift given by the Soviet Union and that was currently being leased by Russia. This sparked backlash from the Kazakh Ministry of Foreign Affairs which warned about severing relations between both nations due to "provocative attacks".[97][98] In response to controversial statements, Tokayev in response on Egemen Qazaqstan, wrote that such words from "some foreign citizens" are aimed at "spoiling" relations between two states, insisting that "nobody from outside gave Kazakhs this large territory as a gift."[99]

China[]

See also: China–Kazakhstan relations

Tokayev paid a two-day state visit to China in September 2019. There, he met with President Xi Jinping in Beijing of which both leaders agreed to from a permanent comprehensive strategic partnership.[100] Tokayev vowed to triple wheat exports to China to 2 million tonnes possibly including salt, dairy products, meat and poultry as well.[101] During a visit to the Peking University, he met with his long-term intern language teacher Liu Shiqing as well as Kazakhstani students. Shiqing described Tokayev as "sociable, active, quickly" whom became fluent in Chinese and as "one of the best students."[102]

Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS)[]

See also: Commonwealth of Independent States

On 14 April 2019, Tokayev visited neighboring Uzbekistan for talks with President Shavkat Mirziyoyev.[103] On 16–17 May, Tokayev hosted foreign leaders such as Armen Sarkissian and Mamuka Bakhtadze in the capital for the 12th annual Astana Economic Forum, the first to be hosted by its pioneer, President Nazarbayev.[104] He also hosted the regional leaders of Russia, Kyrgyzstan, Belarus, Tajikistan, Armenia and Moldova for the Eurasian Economic Union and Supreme Eurasian Economic Council summit on 29 May.

During a visit to Kyrgyzstan in late 2019, he visited the House-Museum of Kyrgyz writer Chingiz Aitmatov in Bishkek, where he met with the late writer's wife and reminisced about his first encounters with Aitmatov in Beijing in 1989.[105]

Europe[]

See also: Kazakhstan–European Union relations
Tokayev (right) with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (left) at the U.N. General Assembly in New York City, 25 September 2019

As a Foreign Minister, Tokayev visited Berlin, Germany on 3–4 October 2006, where he addressed the European Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee on 3 October in an attempt to gain support amongst members of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe for Kazakhstan's bid to lead the organisation in 2009. In his address he discussed the "fierce" competition between the European Union, China, and India to secure energy sources, saying that Kazakhstan is "one of the very few countries capable of boosting its oil production and thus becoming an important alternative energy supplier to global and European markets." He expressed interest in the Burgas-Alexandroupoli and Odessa-Brody-Gdansk pipeline projects, asking the EU for $80 billion in investment from 2006–2021. Tokayev criticised Lithuania for opposing a Russian offer for its Mažeikių oil refinery. He also reaffirmed Kazakhstan's desire to join the European Neighbourhood Policy. Tokayev also rejected the proposed construction of the Trans-Caspian Gas Pipeline to Azerbaijan, in which the EU officials desired due to the likelihood of opposition from other nations bordering the Caspian Sea.[106] Gernot Erler, an official in the German Federal Foreign Office, announced his support for Kazakhstan leading the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) for 2009. Portuguese Socialist MP Ana Gomes said to Tokayev, "Minister, you're bidding for the presidency of the OSCE. Yet, the OSCE gave a report on your last elections, on the observation of the elections, which said they failed to meet international standards for genuine elections in many important points. And we hear about political dissent being crushed, we hear even about religious groups being crushed." Tokayev replied that political opposition forces in Kazakhstan "cannot challenge the government" because of their own weaknesses, and that Kazakhstanis need to be "educated" about democracy because the concept is foreign, and the government considers religious tolerance a priority. He criticized the OSCE's election report for "technical irregularities" and biased targeting while calling for more of a "mutual understanding." He further stated that his government believes it would "contribute a lot as a representative, as a country which is located in Central Asia. The geographical dimension of the OSCE has changed [since Kazakhstan joined], this is a unique Eurasian, as well as Pan-American[disambiguation needed] organization. So, the leadership, the presidency of this organization also must reflect this unique character, [this] unique dimension of the organization."[106] He cited efforts to reform Kazakhstan's election process that included a "special program" to modernize the system and establishing "party dominance" in the Parliament so that "parties [that] win the parliamentary elections, obtain [a] majority in the parliament" and "will be able to establish their own governments." He called creating a multi-party system in Kazakhstan a "huge step forward in the process of democratization."[106]

On 4 December 2019, on the eve of a state visit to Germany, he gave an interview to Deutsche Welle, in which he called Germany a "key European partner for Kazakhstan".[107] In that same interview, he drew controversy by saying that he did not believe that the Annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation was an invasion while also saying that he believed in the "wisdom of the Russian leadership", drawing condemnation from the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who issued a demarche in response.[108]

United States[]

U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice with Tokayev, 25 September 2006

Tokayev met with United States Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Barry Lowenkron, the U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Human Rights, on 25 September 2006 in Rice's suite at the Waldorf-Astoria hotel. According to Anne Gearan, a diplomatic writer for the Associated Press, the U.S. wanted to improve its relations with Kazakhstan despite, according to some analysts, a worsening state of political oppression. Kazakh oil output was expected to significantly increase, along with other Central Asian countries whom were "more authoritarian, too unstable, too poor, or a combination of all three." Prior to her meeting with Tokayev, when Rice was asked whether human rights or energy "would top the agenda" for the meeting with Tokayev, she refused to answer. The United States State Department released a statement saying the diplomats discussed Kazakhstan's cooperation in Afghanistan and Iraq and expressed hope for "a multidimensional relationship with Kazakhstan, which includes U.S. encouragement for continuing reforms."[109]

After becoming president, Tokayev maintained strong relations with Kazakhstan's strategic allies, including the United States. On 2 February 2020, he met with U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo during his visit to Nur-Sultan where both sides expressed the importance of deepening bilateral ties across the entire spectrum of cooperation, including trade, investment, IT technologies, promoting democratic values and combating international terrorism. Pompeo wished for Tokayev in his success in implementing political reforms with an open skies agreement being signed which created a legal basis for launching direct regular flights between Kazakhstan and U.S.[110] According to some analysists, Pompeo's visit to Kazakhstan was seen as an attempt to counter China's influence within the country as he had met with ethnic Kazakh families of whom were victims of the Xinjiang internment camps and urged for Tokayev to pressure China over its persecution of ethnic Uyghur and Kazakhs.[111][112]

In June 2020, U.S. President Donald Trump congratulated President Tokayev on his one-year anniversary of presidency. In his congratulatory letter, Trump expressed his support for the reforms that had been undertaken in Kazakhstan, and reaffirmed his intention to further develop strategic partnership between the two countries.[113]

Others[]

He had also received South Korean President Moon Jae In and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban during the month of April.

Political positions[]

Tokayev is described as a "moderate conservative" with years of political experience domestically and internationally.[114] Nevertheless in an interview with The Wall Street Journal, Tokayev referred himself as a "reformer", stressing that "without political reforms there will be no progress in economic reforms."[115]

According to The Diplomat, Tokayev's political capital was seen to not extend beyond the support by Nazarbayev, which enabled him to garner support and trust from business elites, civil servants, and political institutions.[116] Because of that, Tokayev has been described as "Nazarbayev's political birthchild",[117] while his opponents and critics referred him as "furniture" (Russian: мебель, mebel), a ridicule term first coined by exiled Kazakh businessman Mukhtar Ablyazov in 2019.[118][119]

Authoritarianism[]

Tokayev expressed his point of view on the political system of Kazakhstan in which he favoured a "strong President, authoritative Parliament, accountable Government."[120]

In 2005, at the business conference of the Asian Society held in Almaty, Tokayev clashed with George Soros after his remarks about Kazakhstan sliding towards authoritarianism, calling it "unreasonable to demand from a country that recently celebrated its 13th anniversary to achieve the democratic values inherent in states with centuries-old traditions of building a free society."[7]

Islam[]

In the aftermath of the 2016 Orlando nightclub shooting event, Tokayev proclaimed the incident as a "signature dish", calling it "another manifestation of Islamic radicalism."[121]

At the Forum of Muslim Scientists of Eurasia which was held in Astana in March 2018, Tokayev addressed the audience the need for the country to have "enlightened Islam" by strengthening science and cultural traditions in the Islamic civilization.[122]

Linguism[]

As a president, Tokayev encouraged the Kazakhstani public to learn Kazakh, calling it a "duty of every citizen of Kazakhstan".[123] At the same time, he believed that strengthening the role of the Kazakh language shouldn't infringe on the Russian language, warning that improper handling of the issue would lead to "irreparable consequences" in which he compared to Ukraine that faced interethnic conflicts.[124]

During the 2021 State of the Nation Address, Tokayev noted that Russian is an official language within Kazakhstan, adding that its use can't be hindered in accordance to the law and from there, he obliged to punish to any person taking part in discriminating on the basis of "linguistic and national grounds", a move that was viewed to have occurred in result of a backlash by Russian officials after a viral incident on YouTube showing Kostanay resident Quat Ahmetov visiting places and forcing employees to speak Kazakh which led to a series of criminal cases by security agencies and Ahmetov fleeing the country.[125][126]

Nationalism[]

Tokayev expressed negative attitude towards nationalism in which he claimed to have gained traction in midst of COVID-19 pandemic, blaming the ideology for growing sentiment between nations that would result in economic losses for Kazakhstan.[127]

Awards and honors[]

Kazakh[]

Foreign[]

Personal life[]

Kassym-Jomart Tokayev is a practicing Muslim.

Now divorced, Tokayev was married to Nadezhda Tokayeva, with whom he had one son.[138] His son Timur (born in 1984) is an oil entrepreneur who currently resides in Geneva, Switzerland.[139][140] His brother-in-law Temirtai Izbastin (married to Tokayev's sister Karlyga Izbastina) is currently Kazakhstan’s Ambassador to Bulgaria.[141] A native speaker of Kazakh, Tokayev is also fluent in Russian, Mandarin,[142] and English, and has knowledge of French.[138] He was President of the Table Tennis Federation of Kazakhstan for 13 years.[138] He has made it a point not to mark his birthday with celebrations, with his press secretary saying in 2020 that he "does not like to celebrate this day because his family has never celebrated the birthdays of either the children and parents".[143]

See also[]

References[]

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Political offices
Preceded by
Kanat Saudabayev 		Minister of Foreign Affairs
1994–1999 		Succeeded by
Erlan Idrissov
Preceded by
Nurlan Balgimbayev 		Prime Minister of Kazakhstan
1999–2002 		Succeeded by
Imangali Tasmagambetov
Preceded by
Abish Kekilbayev 		State Secretary of Kazakhstan
2002–2003
Preceded by
Erlan Idrissov 		Minister of Foreign Affairs
2002–2007 		Succeeded by
Marat Tazhin
Preceded by
Nursultan Nazarbayev 		President of Kazakhstan
2019–present 		Incumbent
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