The Head of State welcomed the distinguished guests and emphasized the special significance of the meeting, reports Egemen.kz, citing the press service of Akorda.

“The Parliamentary Assembly is a highly important political institution. Kazakhstan fully supports this organization. I personally served as Chairman of the Senate for ten years and actively participated in inter-parliamentary cooperation. I am well acquainted with and understand the workings of parliament. Thanks to our joint efforts within the framework of the Assembly, Turkic cooperation has been strengthening year by year. This is a positive trend, as the international standing and influence of the Turkic world continue to grow. Most importantly, our countries share a genuine aspiration for closer ties. Kazakhstan remains committed to further advancing comprehensive cooperation among the fraternal Turkic nations,” President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev stated.

The President also affirmed Kazakhstan’s readiness to support new initiatives proposed by the Parliamentary Assembly and to continue contributing to the deepening of Turkic integration.

“Kazakhstan is one of the founding members of the Organization of Turkic States. We believe that this structure plays a significant role in the economic and cultural-humanitarian development of our countries. We consider it appropriate to harness its potential to serve our peoples’ shared goals. Last year, Kazakhstan held the chairmanship of the Organization of Turkic States. Under the slogan ‘TURKTIME’, we implemented a number of important projects and organized around 100 events aimed at enhancing Turkic integration. The 5th World Nomad Games were held in Astana, showcasing the rich heritage of the Great Steppe to the world. A unified version of the Turkic alphabet was also adopted — a development that can rightly be called historic,” the Head of State noted.

Kassym-Jomart Tokayev drew attention to the decision to appoint permanent representatives to the Organization of Turkic States and to the strengthening of cooperation between member countries in trade, energy, finance, and investment.

“The Turkic Investment Fund is operating effectively. All of these efforts are important steps in reinforcing Turkic integration. We highly value the outcomes of the summits of the Organization of Turkic States and place special emphasis on the quality implementation of all agreed decisions. The recent informal meeting of heads of state in Hungary was productive. Kazakhstan is always ready to continue this positive tradition. In this regard, I have proposed to host the next meeting in the sacred city of Turkistan,” the President added.

The Head of State also spoke about the political and socio-economic reforms currently underway in Kazakhstan.

“We introduced significant amendments to the Constitution through a nationwide referendum. A new governance model has been implemented, based on the principle of ‘Strong President — Influential Parliament — Accountable Government’. The President is now elected for a single seven-year term. Parliamentary powers have been expanded, and government accountability has increased. The human rights protection system has been strengthened. A Constitutional Court has been established. A large-scale modernization of local governance has begun. Starting this year, all district akims are elected through direct vote. Ninety percent of deputies in regional and district maslikhats are now elected in single-member districts. Such extensive changes in the country’s political landscape are unprecedented,” President Tokayev emphasized.

The President identified the construction of a Just Kazakhstan, based on the principles of legality and order, as the nation’s strategic goal.

“An integral part of this concept is the ‘Clean Kazakhstan’ initiative. This is not only about environmental cleanliness — it is also about the moral renewal of our society and a shift toward civilized values. When meeting with citizens, especially young people, I always stress that the future of our country is in the hands of the younger generation. That is the truth. Therefore, our youth must be conscious, educated, open-minded, disciplined, secular, and honest,” he stated.

Kassym-Jomart Tokayev also outlined Kazakhstan’s economic development trajectory and noted that targeted reforms are being implemented in this area.

“As a result, Kazakhstan’s GDP reached approximately $290 billion in 2024. This equates to about $14,000 per capita. However, we face a number of pressing challenges that must be addressed through a set of strategic measures. These include the implementation of large infrastructure projects, widespread digitalization and the development of artificial intelligence, comprehensive support for agriculture, and the enhancement of the transport and logistics sector. Active efforts are already underway in these directions. This year, economic growth is expected to exceed 5%. Strengthening effective cooperation with the Turkic states is essential for achieving these goals,” the Head of State emphasized.

According to the President, a major event titled “TURKTIME: The Role of Parliamentary Diplomacy” is currently taking place in Astana. He expressed full support for this initiative, highlighting the critical importance of enhanced cooperation amid current global challenges.

“Kazakhstan attaches great importance to inter-parliamentary ties among fraternal nations, especially to the practice of people’s diplomacy. The Parliamentary Assembly of Turkic States is a highly respected international organization and a unique platform for advancing our cooperation. There is no doubt about the significance of your joint work within the Assembly,” the President stated.

In his concluding remarks, the Head of State stressed that the event clearly demonstrates the unity of purpose and interests among the Turkic countries and described the preservation and strengthening of this unity as a shared responsibility.

“Kazakhstan fully supports the development of parliamentary diplomacy among Turkic states. Only by remaining united can we successfully navigate the turbulence of today’s world, drive our economic growth forward, and reinforce our global standing. May the bond between our peoples remain strong and everlasting,” President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev concluded.

The meeting was attended by speakers of the parliaments of the member states of the Parliamentary Assembly of Turkic States.