An expert discussion of the Address delivered by the Head of State, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, to the people of Kazakhstan on September 8, 2025, titled “Kazakhstan in the Age of Artificial Intelligence: Current Challenges and their Solutions through Digital Transformation”, was held at the Presidential Center of the DPA RK.
The President’s annual Address is the key political event of the year, setting out the strategic priorities for the nation’s development. At its core, the Address assesses national progress and charts a path forward for the medium and long term.
The expert discussion centered on an in-depth analysis of the key points of President K.K. Tokayev’s 2025 Address, in light of the country’s pressing political, social, and economic challenges. This initiative stems from ongoing conceptual transformations in public, political, and cultural attitudes.
“Our meeting aims to conduct a professional review of the main provisions of the President’s Address, viewed through the lens of pressing social, political, and economic issues,” said Bakytzhan Temirbolat, Director of the Presidential Center, in his opening remarks. “This year’s Address is framed by the concept of profound digital transformation - diversifying and digitizing the economy, implementing large-scale structural modernization, and establishing a strong scientific and legislative foundation for ongoing economic and political reforms.
Among the strategic goals set by the President is the transformation of Kazakhstan into a fully digital nation within the next three years. In order to coordinate these efforts, the President has proposed the establishment of a dedicated Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development. The Address also sets forth a broad range of initiatives aimed at ensuring sustainable socio-economic growth, achieving macroeconomic stability, overhauling investment policy and business conditions, fostering a digital asset ecosystem, fully unlocking the country’s industrial potential, and embedding a culture of rule of law throughout society.
Perhaps the most consequential message of the Address is the proposal to transition to a unicameral parliamentary system. This marks a new phase in Kazakhstan’s political reform agenda and sends a clear signal of the President’s firm commitment to the principle of a ‘Strong President - Influential Parliament - Accountable Government’ model.”
“The President of Kazakhstan’s Address to the Nation is a striking example that all significant decisions in the country are discussed and made by the entire population. The Kyrgyz Republic wholeheartedly supports Kazakhstan’s leadership in pursuing a consistent course toward strengthening and politically modernizing state governance, as well as undertaking large-scale transformations of the economy and social sphere. We are confident that the Republic of Kazakhstan will lead economic development across the whole Central Asian region. Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan have a clear understanding of joint efforts that ensure further development of bilateral relations, thereby achieving success and jointly overcoming obstacles and modern challenges. Today, we witness a steady increase in trade turnover, the establishment of joint projects, and the strengthening of cultural and humanitarian ties. All of this demonstrates that the relationship between Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan is not merely developing, but evolving into a genuine example of alliance and trust in the region,” shared Alim Toktomambetov, Advisor to the Embassy of the Kyrgyz Republic in Kazakhstan.
Meanwhile, in her remarks, Azhar Sagandykova, Member of the Mazhilis of the Parliament of Kazakhstan, emphasized that adhering to the principle of zero tolerance toward any violation of the law is not just a slogan but a call to action. Without respect for the law, it is impossible to build a progressive nation; we must instill intolerance for aggression and cruelty.
“This year’s Address by the Head of State stood apart from previous ones by placing special emphasis on the country’s civilizational development. My particular attention was drawn to the situation in the Caspian Sea. The sea is shrinking, the ecosystem is breaking down, and the availability of clean water is decreasing. This threatens the future of the entire region. We must act: establish joint monitoring, reduce industrial burdens, implement modern water management technologies, and involve scientists and local communities. The initiative of the President of the country to create a state program to save the Caspian Sea is a timely and extremely important step. Only together - the government, society, and each citizen - can we build a strong and modern country for future generations,” A. Sagandykova concluded.
“The Address is unique both in its content and in its scale and significance. It provided answers to numerous questions and offered a clear strategic direction. In particular, the Head of State paid special attention to the tourism sector, which I often raise as a Deputy. According to the President, tourism should become a new growth point for the economy of Kazakhstan. Thus, if in 2020 only 2 million tourists arrived in the country, then in 2024 their number exceeded 15 million, and the industry's annual revenue reached 1.2 trillion tenge. This demonstrates the vitality and sustainability of the industry, as well as the high level of interest in Kazakhstan's rich cultural and spiritual heritage. The Head of State gave clear instructions to local executive bodies to pay special attention to the development of tourism infrastructure and to take responsibility for the quality of this work. Therefore, establishing visitor centers at the regional level is an urgent item on the national agenda,” shared Mazhilis Deputy Ekaterina Smolyakova.
Arman Yeshmuratov, Head of the Department for Scientific-Theoretical Analysis and Methodological Support at the Institute of Eurasian Integration, noted: “The Head of State’s Address is a strategic document that outlines the contours of both the political and technocratic future. Central to the concept is the understanding of intellectuals’ role and status in advancing progress, which is encouraging, as progress is essentially an individual pursuit. Furthermore, the key aspect of this year’s Address is the inclusion of Kazakhstanis in the decision-making process - it is our citizens who will ultimately determine the political model they prefer in the 2027 nationwide referendum.”
Approximately 70 people took part in the expert discussion of this year's main political document, including members of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan, representatives of foreign diplomatic missions, political parties of Kazakhstan, the scientific community, development institutions, and civil society, and leading Kazakhstani experts.
Deputy Director of the Presidential Center of the Republic of Kazakhstan Mariyan Abisheva, representatives of the youth wing "Zhastar Ruhy" of the "AMANAT" party, and the Institute of State History also shared their opinions. It is worth noting that this expert forum proved to be an effective platform for exchanging views and advancing the key directions outlined in President K.K. Tokayev’s Address to the Nation.
Following the event, a compilation of materials from the expert discussion will be assembled.
