At the fifth meeting of the National Kurultai (Congress), President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev highlighted the country’s significant achievements. Last year, the economy grew by 6.5 percent. GDP exceeded $300 billion, reaching $15,000 per capita - a record figure for the entire Central Asian region. Foreign currency assets of the National Fund increased by $5 billion, while the country’s gold and foreign exchange reserves surpassed $65 billion. However, there are areas that require urgent changes for further development. As the Head of State emphasized, priority should be given to creating a solid foundation for a high-tech and energy-intensive economy of the future. This means that all aspects must be carefully planned and taken into account in advance. In particular, it is necessary to properly identify zones for the construction of powerful data centers and provide them with the required infrastructure.
«We must focus on bringing new energy capacities online without waiting for the completion of nuclear power plants. It is also important to note that data centers are comparable to metallurgical plants in terms of energy consumption. Therefore, energy self-sufficiency must be regarded as a key component of state policy. Electricity generation in Kazakhstan, at 123.1 billion kilowatt-hours, is clearly insufficient to successfully implement all our plans,» Tokayev said.
Kazakhstan, with its vast coal reserves of around 33 billion tonnes, should actively utilize this strategic asset, President Tokayev emphasized. He instructed the government to grant national project status to the development of coal-fired power generation. The agenda also includes the accelerated implementation of key projects, including the construction of new combined heat and power plants (CHPs) in Kokshetau, Semei, and Oskemen.
«It is necessary to ensure the timely launch of the power plant in Kurchatov, the additional units at GRES-2, and the start of construction of GRES-3 in Ekibastuz. To maintain the stability of the energy system, balancing capacities must be rapidly deployed, primarily in gas-fired generation. The potential of natural gas can and must be strengthened through the development of new fields,» Tokayev noted.
The transport and logistics sector also requires close attention. President Tokayev stressed the critical importance of modernizing highways in line with international standards. This year, Kazakhstan is set to implement a number of projects aimed at expanding the sector’s capacity. The Head of State also emphasized the need to pay closer attention to air cargo transportation. However, these were not the only issues raised by the President at the National Kurultai. He also focused on water issues, noting that work on the Northern Aral Sea restoration project must continue. Measures are currently underway to raise the Kokaral Dam.
«To secure the future not only of the Aral Sea but also of the Caspian Sea, Lake Balkhash, and the Irtysh River, it is essential to reach a consensus with neighboring states and sign the relevant agreements. Water is a strategic resource for our country, and we must take a systematic approach to its management. Last year, I proposed the creation of an International Water Organization, and we need to consistently advance this initiative within the framework of United Nations reform,» Tokayev added.
In his address,
the President once again emphasized the significant role of the National
Kurultai in the large-scale reforms underway in the country.
Over the past four years, its members have put
forward numerous important initiatives, on the basis of which 26 laws aimed at further developing
Kazakhstan have been adopted.
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