Kazakhstan’s Strategic Vision: Interview with President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev
7 January 2026
ASTANA - President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev outlined Kazakhstan's strategic development priorities in an extensive interview with Turkistan newspaper on January 5, 2026. The head of state declared: "Kazakhstan has entered a new stage of modernisation". The discussion covered economic achievements, digital transformation, strategic resources, political reforms, and social priorities.
The President reviewed last year's results, highlighting substantial progress: "Our economy grew by more than 6 per cent, GDP exceeded $300 billion, and GDP per capita surpassed $15,000". These "record figures not only for our country, but for the entire region" demonstrate sustained growth. Tokayev emphasized the "irreversibility of reforms," stating: "Kazakhstan took a major step forward on the path of modernisation".
Declaring 2026 the "Year of Digitalisation and Artificial Intelligence," Tokayev pointed to Kazakhstan's solid foundation: "Astana Hub innovation cluster brings together two thousand companies," with "total exports of IT services in 2025 amounted to approximately one billion US dollars". Key achievements include "two supercomputers – Alem.Cloud and Al-Farabium," AI-Sana program training for over 650,000 students, and plans for a "specialised, research-focused AI university."
Upcoming projects feature the "pilot CryptoCity zone for digital assets" and "accelerated-development city of Alatau." The Artificial Intelligence Development Council launched in May 2025, the AI Law was signed in November, and a Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development established. The President affirmed: "Kazakhstan must become a digital power. This is a matter of our collective survival as a civilised nation in a new technological era".
Rare earth metals received special attention: "Demand for critical materials will continue to grow... this opens up a new window of opportunity for Kazakhstan". Kazakhstan is expanding cooperation with the United States, China, Russia, South Korea, Japan, and EU states, aiming for global leadership in reserves.
Transport-logistics emerges as a cornerstone. "Kazakhstan has a clear vision and determination to turn Kazakhstan into a transport hub for Eurasia," Tokayev noted. The Dostyk-Moyinty railway will boost China-Europe freight fivefold, with 5,000 km of new tracks by 2030. Integration into "One Belt, One Road," the Middle Corridor, and other routes creates a terminal network from the Yellow Sea to the Black Sea.
Tokayev reaffirmed the presidential model - "A Strong President - An Influential Parliament - An Accountable Government." Constitutional amendments will go to referendum: "Such a large number of changes that, taken together, they will be comparable to the adoption of a new Constitution".
Marking 35 years of Independence, he assessed: "Kazakhstan has emerged as a successful state with a dynamically developing economy and a respected position in international affairs". Youth holds the key: "The future of the country belongs to talented, enterprising, and patriotic young people".
The interview addressed energy modernization, agriculture, and tourism. Nuclear plants will correct the anomaly of uranium leadership without domestic power. Agriculture focuses on cooperatives and Asian meat exports. Tourism advances despite infrastructure needs.
In closing, Tokayev set the core goal: "The modernisation of the country must become truly irreversible". Reforms build "a state of justice, law, and order." He expressed confidence: "Together we will achieve all our ambitious goals in the interests of the people".