At a moment of global uncertainty, Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has announced a comprehensive package of political, constitutional and economic reforms, including abolishing the Senate and the Majilis and moving to a unicameral Parliament, the creation of the post of Vice President, the introduction of a national referendum on a new constitutional model, as well as major priorities in water security and environmental diplomacy.
During a speech at the fifth session of National Kurultai (Congress) in Kyzylord on January 20, Tokayev addressed Kazakhstan’s foreign policy posture, highlighting the country’s role as a predictable and responsible international actor. “Growing militarization is undermining the efforts of the international community to build a just world order. In these difficult circumstances, the importance of foreign policy increases significantly,” he said, adding, “All of our foreign policy actions are subordinated to one overarching goal: ensuring the territorial integrity, security, and sovereignty of Kazakhstan.”
One key reform ensures unambiguous constitutional regulation of presidential succession. In the event of early termination of a presidential term, presidential elections must be held within two months, ensuring that any head of state comes to power exclusively through elections. Tokayev described this principle as fundamental and non-negotiable, reinforcing Kazakhstan’s commitment to electoral legitimacy and political predictability.
Tokayev also reaffirmed Kazakhstan’s commitment to building a rule-of-law state, emphasizing that legal reform must go hand in hand with the strengthening of civic responsibility and national self-awareness.
Water security and environmental diplomacy
While most attention was drawn to what he said about the constitutional reform, water was another crucial topic that the President of Kazakhstan touched upon, said Zulfiya Suleimenova, Ambassador-at-Large on environmental issues.
Identifying water as a strategic national and regional resource, Tokayev emphasized transboundary river governance and cooperation with Central Asian neighbors, he proposed to promote an International Water Organization within UN reform discussions and instructed the preparation of a comprehensive national map of water and energy resources. Tokayev has served previously as UN Deputy Secretary-General and Director-General of the UN Office at Geneva, so he is unquestionably the region’s greatest expert on UN affairs and internal reform discussions.
This is relevant as the Kazakh delegation is preparing to leave for High-Level Preparatory Meeting for the UN Water Conference in Dakar, Senegal on January 26-27.
“Water is a strategic resource for our country. We must address the water issue systematically. Last year, I proposed establishing an International Water Organization. We need to consistently promote this initiative as part of reforming the United Nations. In April, an International Environmental Summit will be held in Astana,” Tokayev said.
The Regional Ecological Summit (RES-2026) will take place in the capital of Kazakhstan on April 22–24, bringing together around 1,500 participants from governments, international organizations, development institutions, experts, business and civil society.
“At the forum, we will discuss the problem of the Aral Sea with the heads of state of the member countries of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea. We hope that the revival of the Small Aral will pave the way for further sustainable progress across the entire region,” the Kazakh President said.
The problem of the Aral Sea
“Being in Kyzylorda, I cannot but address the issue of the Aral Sea. Its restoration remains a task that is still relevant for all humanity; I spoke about this in my address. Thanks to many years of consistent work, we have been able to preserve the Northern Aral, which has been gradually recovering for several years. A project to raise the Kokaral Dam is currently being developed, and its implementation will begin at the end of this year. This will make it possible to significantly increase the volume of water in the Small Aral. However, not everything is in our hands,” Tokayev said.
He explained that most of Kazakhstan’s major rivers originate in neighboring countries and the volume of water from the Syr Darya reaching the sea varies depending on the water policies of the states located in the upper reaches of the river. “Therefore, addressing many of these challenges is closely linked to skillful water diplomacy. At present, agreements on the joint use of water resources have been concluded with all Central Asian countries. Ultimately, to resolve the fate not only of the Aral Sea, but also of the Caspian Sea, Lake Balkhash, and the Irtysh River, it is necessary to reach consensus with our neighbors and conclude the relevant agreements,” the Kazakh President said.
Turning to energy resources, Tokayev instructed QazaqGaz, the government and the Samruk-Kazyna Fund to accelerate geological exploration, develop new gas fields using a mix of state and private investment, and strengthen oversight of major gas-processing projects.
Transport connectivity
Kazakhstan aims to position itself as a key international transport and logistics hub connecting East–West and North–South corridors. Tokayev announced major highway and railway projects to eliminate bottlenecks and shorten transit routes, including the acceleration of the Beineu–Sekseuil highway, which will reduce the length of the Middle Corridor by approximately 900 kilometers. The Kazakh President highlighted the expansion and modernization of key rail lines, including Kyzylzhar–Moyynty, Darbaza–Maktaaral, Altynkol–Zhetygen, and Zhezkazgan–Sekseuil.
Digitalization and AI
As digitalization and artificial intelligence are reshaping global realities, Kazakhstan has chosen a path of accelerated digital and AI adoption across all sectors of the economy and public administration, Tokayev said, highlighting the need to build a strong infrastructure base to support a future digital and energy-intensive economy. He proposed enshrining in the Constitution the institutional and legal foundations of digitalization, reflecting its growing impact on daily life and fundamental rights.
Tokayev also underscored the importance of promoting Kazakhstan’s cultural and historical heritage internationally, including through UNESCO mechanisms, noting Kazakhstan’s strong standing in the number of elements inscribed on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list.
EU reaction
NE Global had asked the European Union to comment on Kazakhstan’s comprehensive package of reforms with an EU spokesperson responding via email on January 26 after our publication deadline, welcoming the latest political processes that aims at strengthening democracy in Kazakhstan.
“It is important that such developments in Kazakhstan can support greater individual freedoms, citizens’ participation, enhanced governance, and more robust democratic institutions,” an EU spokesperson said on January 26. “Kazakhstan has embarked on an important political reform process some years ago. The EU is willing to support Kazakhstan’s reform process, should the country ask for it,” the EU spokesperson added.
“In terms of environmental and water issues, Kazakhstan’s emphasis on transboundary river governance and collaboration with Central Asian neighbors represents a vital step towards sustainable water management, which can strengthen regional stability and cooperation,” the EU said.
Protecting the Aral Sea is crucial, given its environmental significance and the socio-economic impact on surrounding communities. “We welcome the upcoming International Ecological Summit in Astana, demonstrating Kazakhstan’s leading role in preserving water resources and safeguarding the environment in the region. The EU recognizes the importance of these announcements for the future sustainable development of the country and its region. The EU’s different projects are to support Kazakhstan in these endeavors,” the EU spokesperson said.