ISLAMABAD: Editor’s Desk – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev emphasized the importance of eliminating destructive behavioral patterns during the third gathering of the National Kurultai (Congress) on March 15 in Atyrau, reported the Akorda press service.
Opening the meeting, Tokayev stated that this year, the Nauryz holiday coincides with the first days of the Holy Month of Ramadan. The meeting of the National Kurultai is also taking place on the eve of Nauryz.
“Kurultai has never been a platform for pompous meetings and useless conversations. This will not change in the future. At the previous two meetings, initiatives important for the country’s development were launched. Many of them have already been implemented. In general, positive changes are taking place in different areas and directions,” he said, focusing on several pressing topics in society.
People’s unity
Tokayev underscored the strengthening of Kazakh citizens’ unity. According to him, in this endeavor, the intelligentsia, particularly representatives of the older generation, play a special role.
“They must set an example and discuss truly significant and creative topics that contribute to strengthening the unity of the nation and the proper education of the younger generation,” he said, urging people to avoid unproductive and petty conversations that sow discord in society.
“People who put national interests above personal ones should serve as an example for our descendants and ourselves. This is especially true in the current geopolitical situation,” he added.
Kazakh language
Another priority is expanding the scope of use of the Kazakh language. The demand for the Kazakh language is growing every year in business, technology, and science. The best way to further the progressive development of the language is through education.
“We must instill in young people a love of reading. This is the only way we will become a reading nation. Books must be accessible to readers,” said Tokayev, reiterating the importance of building modern 24-hour libraries in Kazakhstan, notably in Almaty and Astana. The President also mentioned the initiative to establish a National Book Day.
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Cultural heritage
Tokayev emphasized the significance of national history and cultural heritage during his address. He particularly underscored the symbolism inherent in the event occurring during the 800th anniversary of the establishment of the Ulus of Jochi, a pivotal milestone in Kazakhstan’s tradition of statehood. “…because the past, present, and future of our country are closely intertwined with its historical heritage,” he said, adding that the Institute for the Study of Ulus Jochi was created in the country.
Tokayev mentioned the significance of systematic efforts to write a comprehensive academic history of Kazakhstan, which spanned seven volumes and involved over 250 scholars, including 60 international specialists.
Following the country’s recent election as a member of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, Tokayev encouraged the meeting participants to work towards including the country’s unique natural and historical sites on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
National identity and discrimination of women
Strengthening Kazakhstan’s national identity is the most important task, said Tokayev. He proposed the adoption of wearing ethnic clothes, suggesting that it would make Kazakhstan recognizable globally.
He also urged in-depth study and popularization of the heritage of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi, the founder of Turkic Sufism, who made a huge contribution to the spread and establishment of Islam in the Great Steppe. The President proposed to hold a special symposium with the invitation of domestic and foreign scientists.
Tokayev also addressed the issues of discrimination and oppression of women in families where Islamic canons are misinterpreted in an extremely distorted, dogmatic form.
“In such families, life is built on absurd prohibitions and orders that contradict the spirit of the 21st century with its achievements in science and technology. It seems that people are deliberately slipping into the morality and behavioral patterns of the Middle Ages,” Tokayev highlighted.
He emphasized that there are individuals in the country who, under the guise of purported national customs, seek to promote bride kidnapping. He argued that such overt obscurantism lacks justification and runs counter to the principles of a progressive society, wherein all individuals’ dignity, rights, and freedoms hold the utmost importance.
He stressed that these occurrences warrant not just moral censure but also legal scrutiny. The President urged to counteract religious extremism and archaism and firmly adhere to the canons of traditional Islam, which is one of the main foundations of national identity.
“We must always proceed from our own understanding of the world and follow our unique cultural code,” he said.
Factsheet on President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s Address at the National Kurultai
Overview
The President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, delivered an address at the National Kurultai (National Congress) on March 15. He primally focused on Kazakhstan’s development, outlining key tasks and priorities for the country.
The President stated that addressing economic issues alone does not suffice for becoming a genuinely developed nation, adding that Kazakhstan must take a comprehensive approach, outlining guidelines not only in the socio-economic realm but also in the ideological sphere.
The National Kurultai, first inaugurated in the Ulytau Region in 2022, holds significant importance as a forum for charting the course of Kazakhstan’s future. The Kurultai comprises a diverse range of individuals from various sectors of society, including government officials, representatives from public organisations, business leaders, intellectuals, and public figures.
Key points from President Tokayev’s statement
On Kazakhstan’s foreign policy
Kazakhstan remains committed to bilateral and multilateral cooperation through constructive dialogue and active diplomatic and foreign economic activity.
The country is focused on the integration processes within the Eurasian and Central Asian regions.
Kazakhstan will make a positive contribution to the development of cooperation between the Turkic countries.
As a responsible member of the international community, Kazakhstan must always be ready to defend national interests, the sovereignty, and Independence of the state.
All decisions of our state apparatus, be it domestic or foreign policy, should be based on fundamental national interests.
Kazakhstan as a transit hub in Eurasia
Decisive steps must be taken to turn Kazakhstan into one of the key transit hubs of Eurasia.
It is necessary to consistently develop transit corridors running through the territory of Kazakhstan and comprehensively stimulate foreign trade turnover.
To do this, the country will build logistics centres and warehouses, increase the construction of railway lines, strengthen the infrastructure of maritime transportation, and pursue a flexible tariff policy.
This will maximise the benefits of the geographical location of the country and give impetus to many sectors of the economy.
Domestic development
IT technologies are a promising growth point. By the end of the year, Kazakhstan plans to create a supercomputer and launch a new data centre.
The country intends to build a fibre-optic communication line along the bottom of the Caspian Sea. This project will pave another digital corridor between Europe and Asia.
Kazakhstan must become a territory of total digitalisation and accelerated development of artificial intelligence.
The Government should increase the level of gasification of settlements and modernise at least 1,700 kilometres of networks. This will provide access to natural gas for more than 300,000 citizens.
The construction and reconstruction of the country’s road network will give a powerful impetus to the development of the economy. It is necessary to carry out works on at least 12,000 kilometres of highways. As a result, the transport accessibility of settlements will significantly improve, enhancing business activity and increasing people’s social mobility.
On political development
President Tokayev emphasized that as the Head of State, his main mission is to ensure a Just Kazakhstan.
Kazakhstan will build a just State with strong democratic institutions and a developed legal system that ensures the rule of law and order – the fundamental principle of the country’s policy.
Kazakhstan will always be tolerant of all faiths, beliefs, and teachings that do not undermine our statehood and public morality.
The President urged the government to focus on budget savings. Finances should be allocated exclusively towards implementing essential projects and addressing the most urgent issues.
Another priority is expanding the scope of use of the Kazakh language.
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National identity and image
It is crucial that the perception of the Golden Horde in the world is inextricably linked with Kazakhstan.
It is necessary to begin inscribing natural and historical sites on the UNESCO World Heritage List, including the Ustyurt Plateau.
President Tokayev proposed the adoption of wearing ethnic clothes, suggesting that it would make Kazakhstan recognisable globally.
Core values of the country
President Tokayev proposed the following core values of the country that should act as a foundation for the country’s development:
Independence and patriotism
Unity and solidarity
Justice and responsibility
Law and order
Hard work and professionalism
Creation and innovation
In addition, President Tokayev suggested that the country must tackle the following five ‘social evils’:
Drug trafficking, including synthetic drugs. Production of narcotic substances should be increased to the maximum, equating it with the most serious crimes.
Spread of vape devices. The Parliament is currently considering a bill that would criminalise the import, production, and trafficking of vape devices.
Gambling addiction. On the initiative of the Amanat party, a relevant draft law has been prepared and is currently under consideration in Parliament.
Rise in domestic violence, bullying, aggression, and vandalism.
Wasteful spending.
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