The President of Kazakhstan outlined key reforms and new powers for rural district akims
At a dialogue platform that gathered representatives of executive power at all levels, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, the President of Kazakhstan, emphasized the importance of this event. About 80 percent of the akims of rural districts in the country are participating in the event.
The head of state highlighted that issues related to the development of rural areas are directly related to the sustainability and future of Kazakhstan.
“The situation in the countryside is a matter of strategic importance for our country. The roots of our people are in the village. Strong villages are the foundation of the well-being of the entire state,” Tokayev emphasized.
He noted that the requirements for rural akims have always been special, as they represent a key link in the interaction between the state and society.
State policy priorities — rural development
The President reminded that the development of rural areas became the central theme of his 2022 election program. The first decree signed after the elections was also dedicated to issues related to the village.
“The village is the golden cradle of our unique civilization. Rural development is our common duty. The state treats this issue with special responsibility,” he stated.
“As part of this decree, a Concept for the Development of Rural Areas for 2023-2027 has been developed, and its implementation has already begun. The state is consistently investing in improving the quality of life for rural residents. Since 2021, 864 primary healthcare facilities have been built, 388 new schools have been opened, and about two thousand rural educational institutions are now provided with quality internet. The potential of rural settlements is improving every year. The number of villages with a high level of self-sufficiency has increased,” Tokayev added.
He also noted that over the past six years, the volume of gross agricultural output has increased by more than one and a half times, amounting to 8.3 trillion tenge. In 2026, 1 trillion tenge is planned to be allocated to support farmers.
“Only a few countries in the world provide farmers with such significant financial assistance,” the president noted.
Political reforms and elections of akims
Tokayev reminded of the large-scale political reforms initiated in Kazakhstan since 2019, which have become a historic stage in the development of the country.
“We have created a legal framework for radical changes. About 20 laws have been adopted, the powers of Parliament have been expanded, the responsibility of the Government has been strengthened, and the work of political parties has been activated,” he noted.
One of the most important decisions was the introduction of direct elections for rural district akims.
“Local akims are the backbone of the entire vertical of power,” Tokayev added.
He also reported that over the past five years, 2,334 rural akims have been elected in the country, with an average age of 43 years. About a third of them had no experience working at the state level.
“The main thing is that they know the needs and desires of the local population,” the president emphasized.
According to him, the elections have contributed to the development of the party system, and the level of trust of rural residents in akims has reached 84 percent.
The key requirement — the competence of akims
The first strategic task Tokayev named was to raise the professional level of rural akims.
“Winning the elections is just the beginning of a big job. The akim must prove that he is a qualified manager,” the president stated.
He added that the akim must not only be aware of the affairs in his village but also be able to effectively implement state reforms at the local level, earning the trust of residents and working to improve their well-being.
In this regard, the president pointed out the need to improve the training system and adapt educational programs for state and local governance.
Expansion of powers and responsibility
The second direction was the increase of powers for rural akims. The president reminded that amendments to the law on local governance are being considered in the Mazhilis, which imply new functions in the field of landscaping and control.
However, he noted that vague norms hinder effective work.
“Because of this, akims are unable to provide clear answers to residents' requests and, in some situations, find themselves helpless. This cannot be allowed. This is a weakness of the state,” Tokayev noted.
He instructed to conduct an analysis of non-core and duplicative functions of akims and revise their distribution within a month.
The third priority was to increase responsibility.
“The law does not provide for norms on the responsibility of akims to voters. This is wrong,” the president emphasized.
He proposed to enshrine at the legislative level mandatory reporting for akims and to develop mechanisms for their recall in case of failure to fulfill promises.
Budgets, digitalization, and support for businesses in rural areas
In his speech, Tokayev also touched upon the issues of fourth-level budgets. Since their introduction, the revenues of rural districts have increased fourfold, but financial independence still leaves much to be desired.
“Taxes should be paid where people work and earn income,” the president noted.
He also emphasized that digitalization should encompass rural areas as well.
“Creating a digital Kazakhstan is impossible without villages. This is a matter of survival,” he added.
The fifth direction was to support businesses in rural areas, develop cooperation, and infrastructure.
“The development of rural areas requires a new approach, advanced ideas, and a renewed worldview,” concluded the head of state.
Final thoughts and priorities
Summarizing his speech, the president noted that the main task of akims is to improve the quality of life for the population.
“The well-being of each resident is the key to the prosperity of the entire village. The state will always support the village, as it is the foundation of our nation,” Tokayev concluded.
