Staff Rotation at Aqorda: Toqayev Dismisses and Appoints Advisers

President Qasym-Jomart Toqayev has signed a series of decrees introducing personnel changes in the presidential administration, Orda.kz reports.

Tamara Duisenova has been dismissed from her role as presidential aide. She had been at Aqorda since February, after moving from her position as Deputy Prime Minister. Duisenova previously oversaw the government’s social affairs department, with a focus on employment, the pension system, and social protection.

Her transfer to the presidential administration was widely seen as an effort to strengthen the office’s focus on social policy and support for vulnerable groups.

Kanat Sharlapayev has left his post as presidential aide on economic affairs. Before that, he led the Ministry of Industry and Construction and earlier served as chairman of the Baiterek holding.

His government appointment in 2023 was viewed as both a symbol of repatriation and a showcase of meritocracy: Sharlapayev gave up his Russian and British citizenships, actively studied Kazakh, and positioned himself as a model qandas.

Yernar Baspayev, who had served as presidential adviser for two years, was also dismissed. He previously worked as deputy head of the presidential administration, headed the office of the Akim of Atyrau Region, and served as a state inspector in the presidential administration.

In April 2022, Toqayev appointed him aide to the president and head of the department for monitoring the review of appeals.

Kunsulu Zakarya, a biologist, has been relieved of her post as presidential adviser on science and innovation. She played a key role in developing Kazakhstan’s coronavirus vaccine, QazVac, and was listed among the world’s leading women scientists by Techcollectivesea.

Zakarya previously headed the Research Institute for Biological Safety Problems and the Academy of Sciences of Kazakhstan. Her contribution to the fight against the pandemic was recognized internationally, with QazVac becoming one of just 14 vaccines used worldwide.

Bakhytzhan Sapiyev, former head of the State Control Department in the presidential administration, has now been appointed presidential adviser. Sapiyev, a PhD candidate in economics, has worked in the Almaty Akimat and in several central government agencies, including the Committee for Industrial Development and Industrial Safety.

Alikhan Zhamsatov, originally from Pavlodar Region, has been appointed head of the State Control Department.

His background includes law, construction, and political science, and he has been awarded the Medal for Distinguished Labor as well as the 20th Anniversary of the Republic of Kazakhstan Medal.

Original Author: Ruslan Loginov