Nursultan Nazarbayev
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| Nursultan Nazarbayev | |
|---|---|
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| Name | Nursultan Nazarbayev |
| Order | 1st |
| Office | President of Kazakhstan |
| Term start | December 16, 1991 |
| Term end | March 20, 2019 |
| Successor | Kassym-Jomart Tokayev |
Nursultan Nazarbayev is a prominent Kazakhstani politician who served as the President of Kazakhstan from December 16, 1991, to March 20, 2019. He played a crucial role in the country's transition to independence from the Soviet Union and was a key figure in shaping Kazakhstan's foreign policy, including its relationships with Russia, China, and the United States. Nazarbayev's presidency was marked by significant economic growth, driven in part by the country's rich oil reserves and its strategic location along the Silk Road. He also oversaw the development of major infrastructure projects, including the Turkistan-Siberia Railway and the Caspian Pipeline Consortium.
● Early Life and Education
Nazarbayev was born on July 6, 1940, in Chemolgan, a small village in the Almaty Region of Kazakhstan. He grew up in a family of Kazakh farmers and was raised in a traditional Islamic household. Nazarbayev's early education took place at the Kazakh State University, where he studied physics and mathematics. He later attended the Higher Party School in Moscow, where he earned a degree in political science and became familiar with the workings of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union. During his time in Moscow, Nazarbayev met and befriended other future leaders, including Mikhail Gorbachev and Boris Yeltsin.
● Political Career
Nazarbayev's entry into politics began in the 1960s, when he joined the Communist Party of Kazakhstan. He quickly rose through the ranks, becoming a member of the Kazakh SSR's Supreme Soviet and later serving as the First Secretary of the Kazakh Communist Party. In the late 1980s, Nazarbayev became a key ally of Mikhail Gorbachev, supporting his policies of perestroika and glasnost. As the Soviet Union began to dissolve, Nazarbayev played a crucial role in negotiating the Belavezha Accords, which formally established the Commonwealth of Independent States. He also worked closely with other leaders, including Leonid Kravchuk of Ukraine and Stanislav Shushkevich of Belarus, to shape the post-Soviet landscape.
● Presidency of Kazakhstan
On December 16, 1991, Nazarbayev was elected as the first President of Kazakhstan, marking the beginning of a new era in the country's history. During his presidency, Nazarbayev oversaw the development of Kazakhstan's oil industry, including the discovery of major fields such as Tengiz and Kashagan. He also established the Kazakhstani tenge as the national currency and introduced a range of economic reforms, including privatization and deregulation. Nazarbayev's foreign policy focused on building relationships with neighboring countries, including Russia, China, and Uzbekistan, as well as with major global powers like the United States and the European Union. He was a key supporter of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation and played a leading role in the development of the Eurasian Economic Union.
● Post-Presidency and Legacy
On March 20, 2019, Nazarbayev announced his resignation as President of Kazakhstan, marking the end of nearly three decades in office. He was succeeded by Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, a former Prime Minister of Kazakhstan and Chairman of the Senate of Kazakhstan. Despite his resignation, Nazarbayev remains a highly influential figure in Kazakhstan and continues to play a key role in the country's politics. His legacy is complex and multifaceted, with some praising his economic achievements and others criticizing his authoritarian style of governance. Nazarbayev has received numerous awards and honors, including the Order of the Golden Eagle and the Order of Friendship. He has also been recognized by international organizations, such as the United Nations and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, for his contributions to regional stability and economic development.
● Personal Life
Nazarbayev is married to Sara Alpyskyzy Nazarbayeva, and the couple has three daughters, Dariga Nazarbayeva, Dinara Nazarbayeva, and Aliya Nazarbayeva. He is a practicing Muslim and has spoken publicly about the importance of Islam in Kazakhstan's cultural and spiritual heritage. Nazarbayev is also a talented poet and has published several collections of his work, including The Epic of the Steppe and The Way of the Leader. In his free time, he enjoys hunting and fishing, and is a keen supporter of Kazakhstani sports, including wrestling and boxing. Nazarbayev has been the subject of numerous biographies and documentaries, including The Nazarbayev Era and Kazakhstan: The Road to Independence.