Kassym-Jomart Tokayev

Kassym-Jomart Tokayev is a Kazakh politician and diplomat who has served as the President of Kazakhstan since 2019. He succeeded the nation's founding leader, Nursultan Nazarbayev, initially as interim president before winning a full term in the 2019 Kazakh presidential election. His tenure has been marked by significant political reforms, efforts to address social inequality, and navigating complex foreign relations with major powers like Russia, China, and the United States.

Early life and education

He was born in Alma-Ata in the Kazakh Soviet Socialist Republic. His father, Kemel Tokayev, was a noted writer and World War II veteran. He attended the prestigious Moscow State Institute of International Relations, graduating in 1975, which laid the foundation for his expertise in Sinology and international relations. His academic training included a period at the Diplomatic Academy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the USSR in Moscow.

Diplomatic and political career

He joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Soviet Union in 1975, serving in the Soviet embassy in Singapore. After Kazakhstan's independence in 1991, he rose rapidly, becoming Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan and later Minister of Foreign Affairs in 1994. He served as Prime Minister of Kazakhstan from 1999 to 2002. His international profile was cemented with his appointment as Director-General of the United Nations Office at Geneva and Personal Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General to the Conference on Disarmament. Upon returning to domestic politics, he was elected Chairman of the Senate of Kazakhstan in 2013, a position he held until his presidency.

Presidency

He assumed the presidency on 20 March 2019 following the resignation of Nursultan Nazarbayev. He won the subsequent 2019 Kazakh presidential election as the candidate of the ruling Nur Otan party. His presidency faced a major crisis during the January 2022 protests, which he described as an attempted coup d'état, leading to the deployment of the Collective Security Treaty Organization peacekeeping forces at his request. In a subsequent national referendum, he initiated constitutional reforms that weakened the powers of the presidency and removed special legal status for Nursultan Nazarbayev. He was re-elected for a full seven-year term in the 2022 Kazakh presidential election.

Political positions and policies

His political platform, known as the "Listening State" concept, emphasizes political modernization and reducing socio-economic disparities. Key domestic policies have included abolishing the death penalty, implementing a mixed electoral system, and limiting presidential terms. In foreign policy, he has pursued a "multi-vector" strategy, balancing relations between Russia, China, the European Union, and Turkey. He has publicly addressed issues such as the Russia-Ukraine War from the platform of the United Nations General Assembly, advocating for international law and territorial integrity.

Personal life and recognition

He was married to Nadezhda Tokayeva, a former diplomat, until their divorce in 2020; they have one son. He is fluent in Kazakh, Russian, English, and Chinese. He has authored several books on international affairs. His recognitions include the Order of the Golden Eagle and the Order of Parasat from Kazakhstan, as well as honors from states including Russia, France, and Uzbekistan. He holds a doctorate in political science from the Russian Academy of Sciences.

Category:Presidents of Kazakhstan Category:1953 births Category:Living people