Amr Yehia, Astana

Kazakhstan is shaping a new national development agenda centered on artificial intelligence, education, scientific research, digital transformation, energy and human capital, at a moment of profound political and institutional change. These priorities were at the center of discussions in Astana during the National Forum of Think Tanks, held ahead of the first elections for the country’s new unicameral parliament, the Kurultai.

The National Forum of Think Tanks, titled “Projection of the Future: From Assessing Results to a New Agenda,” was organized by the Kazakhstan Institute for Strategic Studies under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan as part of the preparations surrounding the country’s new political and institutional phase.

The forum brought together heads and representatives of government institutions, international organizations and national think tanks, as well as a select group of experts and academics.

The event took place at a particularly significant moment for Kazakhstan. On 23 August 2026, the country is holding the first elections for the Kurultai, the new unicameral legislature established under the constitutional reform. Kazakhstan’s Central Election Commission confirmed that the vote is being held to elect the 145 members of the new parliament. (election.gov.kz)

The new Constitution of Kazakhstan was adopted through a nationwide referendum held on 15 March 2026 and entered into force on 1 July. On the same date, the Parliament formed under the 1995 Constitution ceased its mandate, marking the transition from the previous parliamentary system to a new institutional architecture. (gov.kz)

The reform forms part of the broader process of political and institutional modernization led by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.

Against this backdrop, the forum served as a platform for a comprehensive discussion on the achievements of recent years and for identifying the priorities of the next phase. The debates focused on human capital, education and science, digital transformation and artificial intelligence, social sustainability, economic and industrial development, energy, and Kazakhstan’s position in an evolving international landscape.

The discussions were moderated by Zhandos Shaimardanov, Director of the Kazakhstan Institute for Strategic Studies, an institution operating under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan and playing an important role in strategic policy analysis and development. (kisi.kz)

Kazakhstan Today: Results Shaping the Future

A session titled “Kazakhstan Today: Results Shaping the Future” was dedicated to assessing the key changes and resources that form the foundation for the country’s next stage of development.

The UNDP Resident Representative in Kazakhstan, Katarzyna Wawiernia, highlighted the significant progress made in improving quality of life, developing human capital and advancing digital transformation.

According to the figures presented during the forum, life expectancy has increased by more than five years and is now approaching 76 years, while Kazakhstan has maintained high levels of educational coverage and an unemployment rate of around 4.5%.

Kazakhstan has also risen from 29th to 24th place globally in the United Nations E-Government Development Index, placing the country among the world’s top 25 performers and within the top 10 in online public services. (el.kz)

Artificial Intelligence Becomes a Fundamental Competency

The Minister of Science and Higher Education of Kazakhstan, Sayasat Nurbek, said artificial intelligence is no longer a separate discipline but has become “a fundamental competency for students, teachers, and researchers in all professional fields.”

More than 706,000 students have already received basic training in artificial intelligence through the AI-Sana initiative. According to Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Science and Higher Education, 706,023 students have completed the relevant training programmes, while universities across the country are increasingly developing and implementing AI-based solutions. (gov.kz)

Twenty-seven leading universities have been selected to expand the initiative across the country. More than 2,000 AI-related courses have been incorporated into the curricula of 95 universities, reflecting an effort to integrate artificial intelligence across disciplines rather than confine it to computer science or technology programmes.

ChatGPT Edu is also being introduced in cooperation with OpenAI and local partners, providing faculty members and students with access to advanced artificial intelligence tools. A total of 95 universities have already introduced AI-related disciplines into their academic programmes. (gov.kz)

The Minister also highlighted the creation of the Kazakh Research University of Artificial Intelligence – QAIRU, which is expected to begin admitting students in 2026. The university will focus on training specialists and conducting research in artificial intelligence and its applications across key sectors of the economy. (gov.kz)

At the same time, 235 educational programmes are being updated, while maps identifying future skills and talent requirements have been developed for the country’s 20 regions. Dual education and practical professional training are also being expanded.

Ten universities are implementing an “Industrial Doctorate” model in cooperation with companies, strengthening the connection between doctoral research and the practical requirements of industry.

Domestic expenditure on research and development has increased from 121 billion to 173 billion tenge, according to figures presented at the forum, while 31% of research projects have reached some form of commercialization.

Taken together, these measures indicate a broader attempt to reshape Kazakhstan’s education system around the requirements of a knowledge-based economy and to create a closer relationship between universities, scientific research and industry.

Digital Government and the Transformation of Public Services

Kazakhstan’s digital transformation was another major focus of the forum.

The country has undergone a qualitative shift in its digital government model, with public services increasingly being delivered through integrated electronic platforms.

Kazakhstan’s e-government system now provides more than 1,300 public services, with approximately 90% available online. The eGov portal has registered more than 15 million users, while the country has secured a position among the world’s leading states in the digitalization of government services. (silkwaytv.kz)

The transformation increasingly goes beyond simply transferring traditional administrative procedures online. Artificial intelligence is beginning to be incorporated into public administration in order to anticipate citizens’ needs, facilitate access to employment opportunities and improve the delivery of social assistance and other state services.

The overall objective is to move toward a more proactive digital state in which technology is used not merely as an administrative tool but as part of the wider modernization of government.

Energy as a New Engine of Development

Energy also featured prominently in discussions about Kazakhstan’s future development model.

The share of electricity generated from renewable energy sources has more than doubled, reaching approximately 7%, as part of efforts to modernize the national energy system and gradually transition toward a more sustainable model of economic development. (el.kz)

The transformation of the energy sector is being pursued alongside the expansion of digital infrastructure and industrial modernization.

This combination reflects Kazakhstan’s broader effort to diversify the foundations of its economy. While natural resources remain a central strategic asset, policymakers are increasingly placing technology, education, research and more sustainable energy production at the heart of the country’s long-term development.

From Stability to Social Resilience

Political scientist Gazez Abishev proposed moving from the traditional concept of “stability” toward that of “social resilience.”

He described resilience as the ability to listen to the demands of society, correct mistakes and implement changes without losing institutional control or public support.

The concept carries particular significance at a time when Kazakhstan is attempting to combine political reform with major economic, technological and social transformations.

Professor Andrey Kazantsev of Narxoz University also reviewed Kazakhstan’s strategic resources, including its multi-vector foreign policy, geographical position, natural resources, advanced digital infrastructure, human capital and culture of openness.

These advantages acquire additional importance in an international environment increasingly shaped by competition over technology, strategic resources, logistics networks and highly skilled human capital.

Toward a Knowledge Economy

The discussions in Astana pointed toward a broader conclusion: Kazakhstan’s future development is no longer being framed exclusively through the prism of its substantial natural resources.

High-quality education, artificial intelligence, applied sciences, digital infrastructure and sustainable energy are increasingly being presented as the foundations of the country’s transition toward a knowledge economy.

The objective is not only to modernize the domestic economy but also to strengthen Kazakhstan’s position as a regional center for innovation amid a rapidly changing international landscape.

The first elections for the Kurultai therefore represent more than the beginning of a new legislative institution. They are taking place at a moment when Kazakhstan is seeking simultaneously to redesign the political architecture of the state and to redefine the economic model on which its development will depend in the coming decades.

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