‘Model of evolutionary succession of power’

The year 2019 was a period of a new historical step for the Republic of Kazakhstan. For the first time in Kazakhstan’s political practice, a transit of power was held. It was a key and an important issue on the national agenda. The last presidential elections were held in Kazakhstan on June 9, 2019, following which Kassym-Jomart Tokayev won the mandate of public trust. Thus, he became not just a legitimate head of state, but also gained electoral public recognition. Kazakhstan has entered a new historical stage, full of new hopes and expectations.

At the same time, the first experience in the shift of the supreme power strengthens personal attention to the activities of President K. Tokayev. This is logical, because Kazakhstan is at an important point in history when the trajectory of subsequent development is being laid. Moreover, international attention has significantly increased to the processes within Kazakhstan and its actions on the world stage.

On June 12, 2019, Kassym-Jomart Tokaev officially assumed office of head of state and, without wasting time determined the main areas of activities and set priorities for the work of the civil service. As an experienced manager, he immediately built a clear line of government policy, confirmed the continuity of the foreign policy and during his inauguration announced that he would continue to implement the strategic programmes of the first president of Kazakhstan, Elbasy (Leader of the Nation) Nursultan Nazarbayev. President Tokayev declared that all new initiatives will be focused on concrete actions and effectiveness.

During last year, President K. Tokaev ensured a soft and stable transfer of power, which is a key condition for the transit of power. On the one hand, he continues to implement the current state course. Nursultan Nazarbayev, as a nationwide leader, comprehensively supports President K. Tokayev. By ensuring the continuity of authority, the second Kazakh leader is laying down a new vector of state development based on dialogue with society, pluralism of opinion and diversity of views.

The time of political transit in Kazakhstan has coincided with a period of global changes and transformation, which has also affected the actions of the new Kazakh leader. Kazakhstan has also faced the challenge not only to follow its own path, but also, given the country's international obligations, to demonstrate the continuity of all agreements with its partners, stability in its current development and its desire towards new horizons of growth. 

But the world moves on, and today the sphere of communications becomes one of the most significant in the dialogue between the authorities and society. Having been an active user of social media, K. Tokayev promptly and personally assesses the topical issues taking place in the country. Moreover, he openly speaks out on all high-profile cases, giving a direct signal to citizens that he keeps under his control all the issues of public concern. Thanks to this, the authority of the leader has grown steadily. 

Increasing confidence in the state and the effectiveness of public administration has been an important direction in the activities of President K. Tokayev. To overcome these problems, President K.Tokayev proclaimed the concept of a "hearing state", which has become the main philosophy of state management. 

One of the key items on Tokayev's presidential agenda has been the creation and activities of the National Council of Public Trust, which included prominent politicians, public figures, economists and intellectuals. The work of the National Council is carried out in political, social and economic directions, most urgent and sensitive issues of state development are put on its agenda. 

The first months after the transit were a time of great discussions, emotions and expectations for the future. Apart from the political transit, which is reflected in all processes in the state, a series of crises in the country has been a further challenge during the past year, which as if specifically tested the strength of Kazakhstan's statehood.

Among them is the great global pandemic of the new coronavirus COVID-19. K. Tokayev confidently led the Kazakhstanis through the first time imposed in the history of Kazakhstan a state of emergency and full quarantine, which lasted for two months. Today, Kazakhstan is emerging from the pandemic with minimal losses and is gradually recovering its activity. 

The coronavirus pandemic in 2020 and the decline in global demand for raw materials led to a sharp slowdown in economic activity in all countries. These factors have an impact on the economy of Kazakhstan, the number of jobs and the welfare of its people. Despite the global negative trend, Kazakhstan has sufficient fiscal space and foreign exchange reserves to support business and domestic demand. 

With his victory in the presidential elections, Tokayev has ensured international legitimacy to the transit of power. All major geopolitical centers recognised Tokayev's victory, demonstrating interest in stable and sustainable development of the country. Upon assuming office, President Tokayev confirmed the country's foreign policy course. The head of state met with the leaders of the country's key and strategic partners — the heads of central Asia countries, Russia, China, the US, the leading states of the EU and the Islamic world. 

During this year, a new foreign policy concept was adopted, which outlined the priorities of Kazakhstan's foreign policy activities until 2030. Aside from traditional for Kazakhstan’s directions of foreign policy on constructive cooperation with foreign partners, promotion of international cooperation and regional integration, initiatives to strengthen global security, the document identified new accents.

Much attention in the new concept is paid to strengthening the economic component of foreign policy. It is about creating external conditions for the realisation of the economic potential of Kazakhstan, seeking investments in infrastructure, developing existing and building new profitable transit corridors to world markets amidst sanctions, unpredictability of world markets, trade wars and protectionism. In the new global geo-economic realities, Kazakhstan is optimistic in its search for new economic niches.

In this context, the further development of relations with our traditional partners in different regions of the world gains particular attention. In this regard, particular mention should be made of the relations with the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, one of the key countries in the Middle East region. The President of Kazakhstan intends to further develop the brotherly relations laid down by the first president-leader of the nation, Nursultan Nazarbayev.

The first meeting of the current heads of the two states took place in March 2015, when K. Tokayev, as chairman of the senate, presented His Majesty King Abdullah with an invitation to the V Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions. In June of that year, the Jordanian Monarch personally took part in the work of this Congress, the goals of which are consonant with the ideas of the Amman Message. Kazakhstan and Jordan are active supporters of the ideas of inter-religious dialogue and harmony, ethno-religious tolerance, advocating the peaceful coexistence of followers of all religious faiths.

The next meeting of President of Kazakhstan K. Tokayev with King Abdullah II took place in September last year on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York, during which the leaders of the two states confirmed their readiness for further development of mutually beneficial partnership in various fields.

During the meeting, the President of Kazakhstan expressed interest in expanding investment, trade and economic cooperation with Jordan. The Kazakh leader also thanked King Abdullah for his continued support for Kazakhstan’s initiatives to strengthen inter-religious dialogue. 

Despite the global pandemic experienced by all countries, which has made significant changes to the agenda of all states, without exception, Kazakhstan is committed to further developing comprehensive relations with the Kingdom, taking into account the existing potential of the two countries.

Aidarbek Toumatov is the ambassador of Kazakhstan to Jordan