Tokayev held 1st meeting of Supreme Council for Reforms
The ASPiR was instructed to substantively study this issue together with the Ministry of Digital Development and make specific proposals to drastically improve the situation.
The first meeting of the Supreme Council for Reforms was held in the Akorda Palace chaired by President Kassym-Zhomart Tokayev, Kazpravda.kz refers to the Akorda press service reporting.
Members of the Supreme Council for Reforms made presentations at the event.
Addressing the Council, the President noted that the people expect innovative approaches and new solutions, in the development of which the Supreme Council for Reforms should play a key role.
According to him, the Council will make decisions on very complex issues related to improving the competitiveness of the national economy and welfare of the population.
Stressing that the activities of the Council should be fundamentally different from other consultative and advisory bodies, the President pointed out the need to speak openly about existing problems and tasks, not to avoid "sharp corners" or "pitfalls."
You cannot limit yourself to a simple statement of facts, a description of the current situation. The main thing is to make the necessary decisions timely. This means that the Council should not simply approve proposals prepared in advance, which, in fact, often turn out to be inoperative. The Council must put an end to long interdepartmental disputes, set new guidelines in the management of the national economy, social development, institutional reforms," Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said.
He proposed to consider new approaches to the state planning system and make a resolution on this issue at the next meeting of the Council.
We have to build a more flexible architecture of program documents that determine the goals and development stages of the state in each area. The system will be linked to budget planning and will approve the direct responsibility of heads of state bodies for the implementation of the tasks. It is important to ensure implementation of the Supreme Council resolutions, implementation of national projects, introduction of project management of reforms. At this stage, it is the key task of the Agency for Strategic Planning and Reforms," the President said.
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev also focused on the Strategic Development Plan of the country through to 2025, which should become the basis for further actions in the medium term, adding that a new development agenda will be formulated in this document.
He called the quality of primary data problematic, especially those related to departmental statistics. The transfer of the statistics committee to the administration of the Agency for Strategic Planning and Reforms (ASPiR) should help improve the situation in this area.
It is necessary to develop reforms aimed at ensuring reliability of factual data and their high-quality interpretation, to use tools for processing big data in order to correctly model economic, demographic and other processes, build reliable forecasts for making verified decisions," the President said.
The ASPiR was instructed to substantively study this issue together with the Ministry of Digital Development and make specific proposals to drastically improve the situation.
During the meeting, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev also recalled that in the context of the "listening state" it is necessary to take into account independent judgments on the part of non-governmental organizations and individual citizens.
He proposed to form six ad hoc groups within the Council on each of the key areas of reforms, which, in addition to Council members, may include officials, representatives of public organizations, international and domestic independent experts.
The first group, led by Suma Chakrabarti, is to deal with the development of an effective macroeconomic policy, with such tasks as the efficacy of monetary and fiscal policies, the tax system, and financial sector sustainability.
The second group, headed by the head of the Presidential Administration Yerlan Koshanov, will work out issues of reforming the judicial and law enforcement systems. The President believes that huge work remains to be done in this direction, and cosmetic measures will no longer be possible.
A separate group will focus on "resetting" the social sphere.
A group for economic diversification will also be formed. Tokayev expressed his firm conviction that this is the only way for our country. At the same time, in his opinion, the really working mechanisms are still insufficient.
The work of the above two groups will be led by the Prime Minister.
In the fifth group, representatives of the Government and the National Chamber of Entrepreneurs "Atameken" will tackle business regulation issues.
The sixth group, led by deputy head of the Presidential Administration, Timur Suleimenov, will tackle modern public administration and effective public services issues.
We are faced with the task of imparting a new quality to the state apparatus. It must have greater flexibility and authority in decision-making, take responsibility in order to achieve the desired results. Much depends on the introduction of modern digital technologies in this matter. Stagnation is unacceptable in it," Tokayev believes.
Next year, he emphasized, is the year of the 30th anniversary of our Independence.
“We ought to meet this memorable date not with festive events, but with concrete deeds,” the President concluded.
Source: kazpravda.kz
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President met with UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron
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Welcoming the Head of the British Foreign Office, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev noted the importance of his visit to Kazakhstan on giving additional impetus to the development of bilateral relations, Presidential press service reports.
''We greatly value the dynamic of mutually beneficial cooperation with Great Britain - our important strategic partner. Taking this opportunity, I would like to commend the signing today of the Strategic Partnership and Cooperation Agreement. I am confident that this comprehensive document will definitely give a fresh boost to our multifaceted bilateral agenda,'' the President stated.
The Kazakh leader drew attention to the existing potential for enhancing trade, economic and investment cooperation, including the areas of energy, green economy, finance and innovations.
In turn, David Cameron expressed his gratitude to Kassym-Jomart Tokayev for hospitality and warmly recalled his first visit to Kazakhstan as the UK Prime Minister.
''I came here 11 years ago to start the strategic dialog. It was great today with the Foreign Minister to sign the Strategic Partnership and Cooperation Agreement. I think we look across the partnership in energy, education, business and cultural sectors and developing people to people change,'' the Foreign Secretary said.
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The sides also exchanged views on topical issues of the regional and international agenda.
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Kazakh, Kyrgyz presidents hold talks in Astana
Images | Akorda
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Sadyr Zhaparov held closed-door talks in Akorda. The Kazakh President spoke on the importance of his Kyrgyz counterpart's visit for both countries, Kazinform News Agency reports.
Today we sign the Treaty on Deepening and Expanding Allied Relations, a historical document, which will give a new impulse to the development of the Kazakh-Kyrgyz ties," the Kazakh President said.
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev thanked Sadyr Zhaparov and the people of Kyrgyzstan for the humanitarian aid sent due to the massive floods in several regions of Kazakhstan. He pointed out dynamic development of the bilateral contacts. In his opinion,active political dialogue, close intergovernmental and interparliamentary ties give a special impulse to the relations.
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Special attention was given to the expansion of cultural and humanitarian ties.
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Kassym-Jomart Tokayev emphasized he highly values the personal contribution of Sadyr Zhaparov to strengthening the traditional friendship and good-neighborly relations.
The President of Kyrgyzstan thanked Kassym-Jomart Tokayev for hospitality.
Kazakhstan is our close partner, fraternal nation and one of the major trade partners. Kazakhstan is a priority in our foreign policy. There are no politcal or regional disputes between our countries. Since the first days of my presidency, you have constantly supported me in international structures and issues related to the expansion of the Kazakh-Kyrgyz relations. We are ready to provide all possible assistance to the fraternal Kazakh people in flood relief efforts. Our countries enjoy centuries-long friendship, fraternity, good-neighborly relations, common culture, spirituality and religion. I am confident that our mutual cooperation, strategic partnership will strengthen further," said Sadyr Zhaparov.
The sides also discussed the issues of enhancing interaction in political, transport-transit, energy spheres, as well as regional and international agenda.
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Armenia is an important partner for Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev
Images | Akorda
Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev met with President of Armenia Vahagn Khachaturyan, Kazinform News Agency learnt from the Akorda press service.
The Head of State said Armenia is an important partner for Kazakhstan.
The parties debated issues concerning Kazakhstan-Armenia cooperation paying attention to cooperation in political, trade and economic, transport and transit, cultural and humanitarian spheres.
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Olzhas Bektenov pays working visit to Bishkek
Images | primeminister.kz
On the instructions of the Head of State, Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan Olzhas Bektenov made a short-term working visit to the Kyrgyz Republic, primeminister.kz reports.
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President Tokayev visits historic sites of Khiva
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As part of his working visit to Uzbekistan, Head of State Kassym-Jomart Tokayev visited the Itchan Kala settlement, located in the historic center of ancient Khiva. The Kazakh leader was accompanied by Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Kazinform News Agency cites Akorda.
Itchan Kala is the first monument to be added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in Central Asia.
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Uzbek national songs and theatre performance were presented to the high-ranking guests.
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Afterwards, the Presidents were presented with the exhibition of fine art and the exhibit ‘The 19-20th century Khwarazm in photos’. During the exhibition, the two leaders were familiarized with the works of the founder of Uzbek national photography and documentary film Khudaibergen Devanov.
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Kazakh-Uzbek tandem is a vital need, says President Tokayev
Head of State Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev held an informal meeting in Khiva, Uzbekistan, Kazinform News Agency cites Akorda.
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Shavkat Mirziyoyev discussed further enhancement of Kazakh-Uzbek strategic partnership and alliance.
Stressing the symbolic nature of the meeting in Khiva - the treasure of Islamic civilization and architecture, the Kazakh President reiterated the successful development of bilateral cooperation in all areas.
As Tokayev noted, the governments of both countries actively work on implementing the agreements reached, progressively realizing the corresponding roadmaps and carrying out work on the agreements signed and trade contracts. Mutual trade turnover has been demonstrating good performance.
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Tokayev and Mirziyoyev also discussed the regional agenda and compared notes on the interaction within international structures.
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Kazakh President met with secretaries of SCO Security Councils
Images | Akorda
President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev met with the secretaries of the SCO Security Councils at Akorda, Kazinform News Agency learnt from the Akorda press service.
Addressing those present the Head of State said the country is preparing to host the Astana SCO Summit which is of great importance for Kazakhstan.
The President said meetings of the secretaries of the SCO Security Councils come to the fore amid the growing role of collective security in the vast zone of SCO responsibility.
183 regional and local conflicts occurred last year worldwide growing by almost 30%. It is the highest number for the past three decades. Experts believe the global cycle of conflicts and acts of violence unwraps escalating the threat of international terrorism.
The Head of State said the recent traffic events in Moscow region that killed many civilians showed that terrorists continue to use the most terrible and inhumane forms of violence.
Kazakhstan strongly condemned the terror act and affirmed Kazakhstan’s solidarity with Russia. The world community also strongly denounced the terror act in Moscow region. The UN Security Council stressed the need to bring to responsibility all those guilty and the importance of international cooperation in the war on terrorism.
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said the key is to make the right conclusions and take necessary practical measures, to ensure the security of people and stand up to the terrorist threat.
He reminded the SCO was built to ensure stability and security in the region to jointly combat three evils. The Head of State underscored the need to adopt the program for cooperation in the fight against terrorism, separatism and extremism for 2025-2027. He also emphasized the importance of adopting the Anti-Drug Strategy of SCO for 2024-2029 and the action plan for its implementation.
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said the SCO is a unique organization given its universal agenda that includes a wide range of issues, as well as economic cooperation, investment policy, and cultural cooperation.
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