President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has called on the new constitutional institution, the Halyk Keñesi, to be in direct contact with the people, to raise difficult issues, and to bring regional problems to the attention of the authorities. Among the tasks outlined are the development of public oversight, the strengthening of unity, and participation in the implementation of the "Law and Order" principles.

The first session of the Qazaqstan Halyk Keñesi was held in Astana, during which the Head of State outlined the tasks of the new supreme consultative body.

Opening the session, the President linked the creation of the Halyk Keñesi to large-scale constitutional reform.

– I congratulate you on the opening of the first session of the supreme consultative body of our country – the Qazaqstan Halyk Keñesi! Today is a very important day for our country, one that can rightly be called historic. I have no doubt that the Qazaqstan Halyk Keñesi, a unique institution with constitutional status, will occupy a special place in the political system of our state, – the President said.

Kassym-Jomart Tokayev recalled that a year ago he had put forward the initiative to create a unicameral Parliament. On 15 March, a new Constitution was adopted at a nationwide referendum and entered into force on 1 July. Subsequently, the first elections to the new legislative body – the Kurultai – were held. An updated composition of the Government was formed, a Vice-President was appointed, and the Apparatus of the Security Council of the Republic of Kazakhstan was created.

Assessing the results of the past seven years, the President reported that GDP had grown by 29 percent and reached 306 billion dollars. The volume of gold and foreign exchange reserves and assets of the National Fund exceeded 138 billion dollars, more than 162 billion dollars of investment was attracted into the economy, and the share of small and medium-sized businesses exceeded 40 percent.

Every year, more than 20 million square metres of housing are built in the country. Since 2019, 1,342 schools with more than one million pupils have been built, and over 1,200 healthcare facilities have been opened. Average life expectancy has reached 76 years, and more than 35,000 kilometres of roads have been built and repaired.

– All of these are record indicators in the history of our country. Thanks to active work, Kazakhstan has entered the ranks of the 40 most competitive countries in the world, – the President emphasised.

Kassym-Jomart Tokayev stated the need to continue attracting investment, expanding international cooperation, popularising Kazakhstan's history and culture at the international level, and defending state interests.

– The goal before me is perfectly clear – to position Kazakhstan on the world stage as a Middle Power, to popularise our history and culture at the international level, to defend state interests and promote Kazakhstan's capabilities. I have no other intentions. Therefore, it can be said with confidence that this is a common goal of our entire people, – the Head of State said.

The President also outlined the boundaries of interaction between the new body and the Kurultai.

– The Halyk Keñesi is not an alternative to the Kurultai. Members of the Halyk Keñesi will not engage in activities falling within the competence of the Kurultai and will not interfere in the work of deputies. According to the law, such actions are impermissible. Consequently, deputies of the Kurultai also have no right to interfere in the activities of the Halyk Keñesi, – he emphasised.

The committees of the two institutions will need to maintain constant dialogue and coordination. The Halyk Keñesi includes ethnocultural associations, regional maslikhats, public councils, and civil society organisations.

The President also outlined tasks in the sphere of public oversight. Today, according to his assessment, the country lacks a unified and specific procedure for conducting public oversight, and unified criteria for evaluating this work have not been developed. The Halyk Keñesi will need to participate in systematising this sphere, engaging independent experts and qualified specialists more broadly. The Government, together with the Halyk Keñesi, has been instructed to form mechanisms for building the professional potential of public councils.

Continuing the theme of public administration, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev announced upcoming early elections to maslikhats at all levels. According to him, they will become the concluding stage of the transformations. Incumbent deputies will retain their powers until their termination on the grounds provided for by the Constitution and laws.

The President drew attention to the state of construction sites and roads. The country is gradually turning into a large construction site, but the quality of certain new buildings, he noted, does not withstand criticism.

– At the same time, the quality of some new buildings does not withstand criticism and even becomes the subject of public criticism. Such negligence in carrying out work can also lead to tragic consequences, – Kassym-Jomart Tokayev noted.

As an example, the Head of State cited the Taldykorgan–Ust-Kamenogorsk highway, where the road surface began to deteriorate soon after opening. He instructed that the system for assessing the quality of road construction be revised, strict control over works at all stages be ensured, and the work of the "National Centre for Quality of Road Assets" institution be strengthened.

A separate place in the speech was occupied by the theme of public accord and the role of the Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan. The Halyk Keñesi includes 42 representatives of ethnocultural associations, which constitutes one third of the total composition. The President proposed considering the possibility of developing a new Concept of Unity and Accord by the Halyk Keñesi.

– If previously five members of the APK entered the Senate by parliamentary quota, now the Halyk Keñesi includes 42 representatives of ethnocultural associations. This says a great deal. This is one third of the entire composition, which is convincing confirmation of the importance of the APK's mission for the sustainable and successful development of our country, – the Head of State said.

The President did not overlook the theme of the state language either, noting its growing popularity, above all among young people.

– I have said repeatedly: the state language is the most important factor of nationwide consolidation and the strengthening of statehood. What was expressed as a forecast is now becoming reality. The Kazakh language, without any administrative and especially political coercion, is gaining popularity, above all among young people. And you know this, and you see this, – Kassym-Jomart Tokayev noted.

At the same time, he emphasised that the development of the Kazakh language does not mean abandoning other languages, and discrimination on linguistic, ethnic, confessional, or other grounds is prohibited by the Constitution.

The President called young citizens of various nationalities who popularise the Kazakh language and culture ambassadors of friendship. He also proposed that candidates for the state award "El Birligi" be nominated through the Qazaqstan Halyk Keñesi.

Kassym-Jomart Tokayev instructed that work continue on preserving cultural heritage, reporting that a major reconstruction of the Fyodor Dostoevsky Literary and Memorial Museum had begun in Semey, which will be fully financed from sponsorship funds. He also called for putting other historical monuments and museums in the country in order, and supported the development of mediation as a mechanism for preventing conflicts and strengthening public stability and security.

Alongside this, the Head of State touched upon the "Taza Qazaqstan" initiative.

– The strength of "Taza Qazaqstan" lies in its ability to unite society around a positive, constructive agenda for years to come. Where it is clean and bright, where a person behaves politely and decently, there is culture, there is a desire to work and achieve success. Where unsanitary conditions and mismanagement prevail, apathy and legal nihilism arise, – the President said.

Kassym-Jomart Tokayev linked the concept of "Taza Qazaqstan" with the principle of "Law and Order," calling them two parts of a single whole. According to him, it is impossible to demand compliance with the law in conditions of chaos and disorder.

The President instructed the Government, together with akimats and interested state bodies, to prepare proposals on creating public spaces and expanding opportunities for useful employment of schoolchildren and students. This concerns libraries, museums, schools, houses of friendship, parks, and other spaces not only in large cities but also in small towns, district centres, and rural areas.

Touching upon the work of public associations, the President stated the need to put an end to the practice of organisations that effectively exist only on paper and are created to absorb state orders.

– I have been informed that a number of republican public associations exist on paper and have only loud "signboards," while in fact they are "Rog and Kopyta" offices. It is clear that such structures were created not to protect the interests of citizens, but at best for careerist purposes. Matters even reached fraudulent schemes. This is unacceptable, therefore such facts are being referred to law enforcement agencies, – the Head of State said.

The President noted that the Halyk Keñesi will need to coordinate the work of consultative and advisory bodies, bring together expert potential, and systematise incoming proposals. He also considers it necessary to examine the issue of tightening punishment for deliberate pollution of nature and public spaces.

The Head of State also linked the work of the new institution with explaining the new Constitution. He emphasised that the Basic Law defines the observance of human and civil rights and freedoms, ensuring the rule of law and order, strengthening nationwide unity, improving the well-being of the people, and developing education, science, and innovation as the immutable tasks of the state.

Concluding his speech, the President emphasised that the work of the new body must not be reduced to formal procedures and paperwork.

– The activity of the Halyk Keñesi must not turn into formal work or be reduced to paperwork. You must always be in direct contact with the people. One should not fear difficulties; it is necessary to boldly raise complex and pressing issues. It is important to study deeply the problems that concern people and to be at the centre of public discussions, – Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said.

It should be noted that on the eve of the first session, Yerlan Koshanov was elected Chairman of the Qazaqstan Halyk Keñesi by voting. His candidacy was proposed by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, who noted Koshanov's many years of public service experience and his work as Chairman of the Mazhilis.

– This is an authoritative position with constitutional status. Therefore, I believe that it should be occupied by a person well known to society, capable of ensuring effective dialogue between citizens and the authorities. Taking into account the above, I propose for this post the candidacy of Yerlan Zhakanovich Koshanov, – the Head of State emphasised.

Linara SAKTAGANOVA
Astana