Kazakhstan 2023: A Snapshot
Kazakhstan in 2023: A Year in Review
As the year 2023 draws to a close, it is a good opportunity to reflect on the remarkable developments that have taken place in Kazakhstan. From political change to economic strategies and international relations, the country has seen significant progress and faced new challenges.
The year began with President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev dismissing the Parliament’s lower chamber and announcing a snap parliamentary election. This move came almost exactly a year after the tragic nationwide unrest in January 2022 that shocked Kazakhstan and galvanized political reform. The parliamentary election marked the culmination of the president’s reform program and saw the ruling Amanat party achieve a decisive victory. The process breathed fresh life into Kazakhstan’s political system, with the participation of new parties and opposition candidates, as well as an increased number of parties vying for seats compared to previous elections.
President Tokayev also set his sights on improving the national economy. Central policy planks in his vision for economic improvement embraced diversification, developing an entrepreneurial culture, and seeking a greater role for new technologies. While there was limited progress made towards diversification in Kazakh industries, the country did experience distinctive diversification of trade beyond its immediate neighbors.
Kazakhstan also actively aimed to cooperate with brotherly countries such as Türkiye and other Central Asian nations. The country prioritized the diversification of trade and investment routes, engaging in trade deals with the European Union and strengthening ties with Europe as well as China. These efforts resulted in significant agreements and collaborations, such as Kazakh state companies signing contracts with China and an agreement with the European Union to supply raw materials and rare earth metals, renewable hydrogen, and batteries.
In terms of Kazakhstan’s relations with the United States, the country has welcomed positive initiatives, although recent developments have indicated a waning influence of the U.S. in Kazakhstan and the wider Central Asian region. However, the U.S. Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, visited Kazakhstan and pledged new funding for the diversification of trade links in Central Asia. Additionally, the highlight of U.S.-Kazakh engagement in 2023 was the C5+1 summit in New York, demonstrating the importance of deeper engagement with Central Asian countries during a time of geopolitical uncertainty and global instability.
While these international engagements are commendable, Kazakhstan’s leadership must elevate governance in 2024 to address challenges such as rising geopolitical instability, economic inequality, and the high dependence on the exploitation of natural resources. The country also faces informal economic activity, unemployment, low economic productivity, and underdeveloped education and healthcare systems.
Despite these challenges, there are reasons for optimism. The native Kazakh language is experiencing a renaissance, the population is at a historic height, and the country’s international trade is increasing. If Kazakhstan can seize the opportunities of the moment and address its issues head-on in 2024, the future looks bright.
As the country gears up for the new year, it will be fascinating to watch how Kazakhstan exerts itself on the world stage and continues to navigate its way through a changing global landscape.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the position of The Astana Times.
