Regional Revenues, Global Instability, And The Referendum: What Tokayev Told Deputies

At the III Republican Forum of Maslikhats of All Levels, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev focused on strengthening the role of local representative bodies, tightening budget discipline, and increasing the financial independence of the regions. In his speech, the president also touched on the digitalization of public administration, social policy, foreign policy risks, economic development, and the upcoming republican referendum, Orda.kz reports.

Maslikhats And Akims

The main part of the speech was devoted to the powers of the maslikhats. The head of state said that the regions should plan their budgets more carefully, increase their own revenues, and stop spending money on useless initiatives.

Representatives of local authorities should actively work to increase revenues. Budget decisions should answer the main questions: how many jobs will be created, how much private investment will be attracted, what conditions will emerge for business development, and how much tax will be paid? We must be able to separate the grain from the chaff. This means that akims and maslikhat deputies at all levels, working as one team, should primarily serve the interests of the state.
 the president said.

The president also stressed that akims should not rely only on subsidies from the republican budget.

Tokayev also spoke separately about the place of maslikhats in the system of power. He stated the need to expand and clarify their powers, strengthen deputies’ responsibility for failing to fulfill their duties and for violating ethical standards, and introduce the principle of rotation for maslikhat chairpersons — no more than two terms.

It is also advisable to streamline and revise the internal organization of maslikhats’ work. Many of their powers are still vaguely formulated, which leads to failures in public administration

Another major focus of the speech was the connection between local authorities and the population. Tokayev said that maslikhat deputies should become a real bridge between the people and the state, since many of the issues citizens bring to the center could be resolved at the local level.

Frankly speaking, citizens are forced to appeal to the capital and to the President personally because they cannot get any explanations from local authorities on the most elementary issues.
the head of state said.

He also called for improving the quality of feedback rather than limiting this work to formal deputy inquiries.

Digitalization of Public Administration

The speech also included a section on the digital state. The president stressed that maslikhats should not stay away from digital development and called the introduction of artificial intelligence into public administration a task of strategic importance.

To date, about 1,200 deputies have already completed special advanced training courses and improved their professional skills. Now it is necessary to train the heads of regional maslikhat offices within the framework of the AI Governance 500 program launched this year.Tokayev said. 

According to him, deputies need to continue improving their professional level and digital competencies, while the heads of maslikhat offices need training in new management tools.

Kazakhstan And Global Instability

The president devoted a significant part of his speech to foreign policy. He emphasized the importance of this issue amid instability in the international situation and growing conflicts.

This truly dangerous situation is the result of an acute crisis of trust between the leaders of well-known countries, the polarization of major states and blocs, the degradation of the principles and the very psychology of peaceful coexistence, disregard for international law, and the unprecedented decline in the authority of the UN. 

He added that despite the crisis in international relations, Kazakhstan intends to maintain a rational and balanced foreign policy, while not abandoning its national interests.

In the international arena, Kazakhstan pursues and will continue to pursue a rational, balanced foreign policy aimed, first of all, at strengthening peace and security around our state.
the president said.

Protecting Kazakhstanis Abroad

Kassym-Jomart Tokayev also cited the evacuation of Kazakhstanis from the conflict zone in the Middle East as an example, calling the protection of citizens abroad a key principle of state policy.

He said that Kazakhstan will never leave its citizens to their fate, regardless of the situation or where they are:

Holders of our state’s turquoise passport are always and everywhere under its protection. The strength of our passport is determined by the strength of the state.

In addition, the president spoke about the state of the economy and large-scale infrastructure projects. His speech covered GDP growth, investment attraction, the development of the manufacturing industry, the modernization of water, transport, and road infrastructure, as well as housing construction and investment in human capital. He also touched on social support, healthcare, assistance to families, and the fight against dependency.

The Referendum

An important part of the speech was devoted to the referendum and constitutional reform. Tokayev called the project of a new model of state structure a step toward a more stable and effective system of power, emphasizing the role of the people of Kazakhstan in this process.

We are creating a truly people’s government, based on such enduring values as social justice and creative patriotism, the rule of law and public order, the legitimate rights and freedoms of citizens, the priority of education, science, technology, and, of course, the independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of our state.
he said.

The president also mentioned the current 1995 Constitution. In his opinion, the old Constitution played its role and fulfilled it adequately. Now the country faces different challenges and is entering a new stage.

The current Constitution should not be criticized under any circumstances. This fundamental legal document has played a positive role in state-building

The Russian Language Debate

The president also commented on discussions about the status of the Russian language in the draft of the new Constitution. According to Tokayev, there is no reason to speak of reducing its status, since the document is officially published in both Kazakh and Russian, with equal legal force.

Meanwhile, the very fact that the text of the New Constitution is published in Kazakh and Russian, both of which have the same legal force, as an official document says a great deal.the president noted. 

Concluding his speech, Tokayev called on citizens to rally around the reforms and take part in the referendum, which, according to him, should determine the future of the country.

Active participation in the referendum is a manifestation of a caring attitude toward the fate of one’s country. Your vote on this important day is an opportunity to personally participate in building a bright future for your Motherland.
Tokayev concluded.

Recall that Kazakhstan will hold a republican referendum on the draft of the new Constitution on March 15, 2026. The corresponding decree was signed by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on February 11, 2026.

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