The address of the Head of State Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to the people of Kazakhstan.

Dear compatriots!

A significant historical event took place in our country yesterday. 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. Constitutional reform was discussed with interest in society. The voting was conducted in full compliance with democratic requirements. There was no compulsion. The result of the referendum has become a clear symbol of political renewal. Our citizens have shown great responsibility and patriotism. We have demonstrated that we are united in building a New, Fair Kazakhstan. The constitutional amendments will radically transform the foundations of our statehood and give a new impetus to the development of the whole 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 took part in explaining the amendments to the Constitution.

The referendum became an important milestone in the history of our country, showed the unity and readiness of the nation for real changes. The high turnout was a testament to the maturity and responsibility of our society. I thank everyone who came to the polling station and supported the reforms initiated in the country. By showing genuine patriotism, you have made a significant contribution to the progressive development of Kazakhstan. I am grateful to all my fellow citizens who took advantage of the legal right and expressed their position at this fateful moment for the country.

Amendments to the Basic Law are not the final stage, but only the beginning of our reforms. We will continue the comprehensive modernization of the country. On the basis of the updated Constitution, we will form a more effective model of the functioning of all government institutions, strengthen the mechanisms of checks and balances between them. Consistent political transformations will contribute to the development of the national economy and the strengthening of 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 a reliable barrier to corruption.

We should support entrepreneurs' initiatives, fully protect private property, and strengthen competition. There is a lot of work ahead on the real diversification of the economy. It is necessary to take measures to develop highly productive agriculture, a powerful transport and logistics system, and form a digital ecosystem everywhere.

The main engines of sustainable development of our country should be labor, knowledge and civic engagement. This is the only way we can create a self-sufficient middle class and an efficient economy. Such an economy will be aimed at a fair distribution of income, creation of high-quality jobs, steady improvement of living standards and full self-realization of all citizens.

Systematic work will continue on the complete modernization and de-bureaucratization of the state apparatus. We must build an advanced state that meets the expectations and demands of the whole society. The effectiveness of the management system will be determined by the results achieved. The priority of the work of the state apparatus should be close cooperation with business, public organizations and citizens. This will allow making decisions in the interests of the country and improve the quality of services provided to the population. The activities of civil servants should become as open as possible and truly accountable to citizens. Public service is a special responsibility to its people, and not a place for personal enrichment.

The constitutional reform opens up opportunities for the modernization of the entire legal sphere. On the basis of the amendments adopted to the Constitution, the Parliament and the Government will have to make appropriate changes to the legislation. In Kazakhstan, it is necessary, taking into account international experience, to develop reforms aimed at building effective legal and judicial systems. We see a growing demand from society and business to protect their rights and legitimate interests. Kazakhstan needs a legal system that ensures maximum protection of the rights and interests of citizens and entrepreneurs. There should be no norms in the legislation that hinder the stable development of the country. All dubious and non-conforming norms should be abolished.

We need to review legislation that has contributed to the concentration of the country's economic resources in the hands of a narrow group of individuals and provided them with excessive preferences. In accordance with my Decree, an Interdepartmental Commission has been established to return illegally withdrawn funds from the country, as well as to return illegally privatized assets to state ownership. We will continue our course to comprehensively strengthen the system of protection of human rights and freedoms.

As part of the legal reform, the Constitutional Court will be recreated. It is necessary to introduce a mechanism for rapid response to its decisions so that citizens feel the benefits of the activities of this very important institution. In the New, Fair Kazakhstan, there should be no place for police arbitrariness, incompetent prosecutors and biased judges. Society expects real changes from the law enforcement and judicial systems. I will present concrete decisions on these and other issues of the country's development in my speech at the opening of the regular session of the Parliament in September this year.

Our main task is to strengthen our sacred Independence, unity of the country and social harmony. Reforms are carried out not for the sake of slogans and beautiful words, but in order to build a New, Fair Kazakhstan. As they say, measure seven times and cut once. Our ancestors made the most important decisions all over the world. Continuing this glorious tradition, I announced the creation of the National Kurultai. It will include representatives of various strata of society, authoritative and active citizens. The first meeting of the Kurultai will be held 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 the Motherland is in the hands of each of us. We have to radically transform the system of social and personal values. This is the only way we will be able to carry out radical transformations in all spheres.

The most important wealth of New Kazakhstan is its people, and our main goal is to create conditions for a happy life for people. Every citizen should feel the fruits of political change and economic growth.

Empty promises and beautiful words lead to nothing. For me, concrete work and real changes are above all. I will do my best to achieve this goal. The results of the referendum open a completely 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 changes. We still have a lot to do for the development of the country. I am absolutely convinced that together we will definitely achieve our goals.

A new era in the history of Independent Kazakhstan has opened today. May our unity grow stronger on this path!

Together we will build a New Kazakhstan!

Together we will make every effort for the prosperity of the New Kazakhstan!