Tokayev Sworn in as New President of Kazakhstan

On Saturday, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev swore an oath to the people of Kazakhstan and assumed the office of the President during his inauguration at the Palace of Independence in Astana.

Tokayev emphasized that he will implement all the initiated reforms aimed to renew the branches of government and build a Just Kazakhstan with truly democratic institutions.

“Kazakhstan has been entering a new era of its development. The large-scale reforms serve as a basis for fundamental changes. Constitutional reform has been implemented. All spheres of state affairs have been comprehensively updated,” said Tokayev in his inauguration speech.

The next common goal, according to the President, is to build a Just and Fair Kazakhstan “where the rule of law prevails, the order is upheld, and citizens’ rights are properly recognized.”

According to Tokayev, the presidential election opened a new political season and a radical renovation of all branches of power is to take place.

“We have a lot of work to do to transform society and turn Kazakhstan into a developed country with truly democratic institutions,” said the President.

Tokayev promised that the state policy going forward would cover all spheres of life from education to industrialization. “The basis of our country’s long-term economic growth will be new technologies, high labor productivity, and the creative initiative of citizens,” he said.

Tokayev highlighted that Kazakhstan will rely on the people of labor, “genuine heroes who wake up early in the morning in the villages, stand up at a factory machine, drive public transportation, sit at the controls of airplanes, wear a lifeguard’s protective uniform.”

“In a Just Kazakhstan, a person of labor should enjoy special honor. It is very important to raise the status of teachers, doctors, law enforcement officers, lifeguards, workers, and peasants even higher. They must become the most respected citizens of the country,” he said.

“I consider the results of the election as support for my political platform and a mandate of trust for the implementation of plans for the coming period. It is a great honor and a tremendous responsibility to lead the country with the support of the people,” said Tokayev emphasizing that the presidential election was conducted in a fair and open manner, and set a new standard of openness and transparency of the electoral process in Kazakhstan.

“The last presidential election was a truly patriotic act. The election confirmed the sincere concern of citizens for the fate of their country. They became an embodiment of the triumph of the notion of justice, the triumph of the will of the people, and the start of a thorough renewal of our nation,” said Tokayev. “They demonstrated a high level of political culture and maturity of our society.”

The president affirmed his commitment to building mutually beneficial international cooperation, including the attraction of foreign direct investment.