The head of state took part in the first meeting of the National Kurultai.
Opening the meeting of the National Kurultai, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev congratulated all the participants of the event. The President noted that holding a kurultai in Ulytau is a continuation of the glorious tradition of our ancestors.
The head of state expressed gratitude to all Kazakhstanis who supported large-scale reforms and voted in the republican referendum.
“Our citizens took an active part in the voting. People went to the polls with their whole families, thereby demonstrating that they care about the future of the country. They showed their desire for comprehensive modernization and real change. Kazakhstanis believe in a bright future for the country. We have made it clear that we are ready to move forward with unbreakable unity. The majority of citizens supported my initiative to amend the Constitution. I want to thank all the citizens who took part in the voting,” Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said.
The President stressed that we will continue the comprehensive modernization of the country. However, as the Head of State stated, New Kazakhstan will not be created in a day or a year. This is a complex and lengthy process that will change the entire society. Only if we work together as a unit will we achieve our goal. That is why, according to the Head of State, he initiated the convocation of the National Kurultai in his Address.
“The convocation of the Kurultai is an ancient tradition. At such representative meetings, our ancestors discussed important issues. People, having previously consulted with each other, made the necessary decisions. And such decisions united the whole people. In our history there were kurultai who decided the fate of the nation. Many of them took place at an important time for our people. After the Talas kurultai, the Golden Horde became an independent state. Kurultai in Karakum and Ordabasy united our people to defend the Motherland. At the first Kazakh kurultai in Orenburg, the Alash party was formed, at the second, the Alash autonomy was proclaimed. With the acquisition of Independence, the first World Kurultai of the Kazakhs was held, where for the first time an invitation was announced to our candases to return to their historical homeland. Following the precepts of our ancestors, we revived the tradition of convening a kurultai.
The President explained the great symbolic significance of holding the kurultai in the sacred place of Ulytau as a sign of the unity of the countries and the integrity of the nation.
“Ulytau, located in the heart of the Great Steppe, has witnessed many historical events. Many important meetings took place here, which determined the fate of the nation. This holy land keeps traces of the rulers of the Golden Horde and the Kazakh khans. We are here to ensure that the continuity of generations continues,” Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said.
The head of state dwelled on the issue of organizing the work of the National Kurultai, which included 117 people. It includes representatives of all regions of the country, various fields of activity, different generations. The work of the kurultai will take into account the opinions of aksakals, use the experience of the middle generation with an active civic position, and also support fresh ideas of young people who think in a new way.
The head of state expressed confidence that the dialogue platform of the kurultay would become the center of new ideas that would strengthen the unity of the country and unite society.
Further, the President made a number of important proposals and tasks in this direction.
“Once upon a time, tribal signs - tangba - of all tribes were carved on stone here. Thus, our ancestors expressed the unity of the nation. Kanysh Satpaev said: “Tamgaly Tas is the place where our people hoisted their banner” (“Elimizdin tu tikken zheri – Tanbaly tas”). Unfortunately, the sacred inscriptions were subsequently completely destroyed. Local residents erected a monument to Ulytau and restored the symbols once engraved on stone. But I think that this is not enough. There should be an architectural object symbolizing the unity of the Kazakh people. I instruct to open at the foot of Aulietau the area of State Symbols. Our blue flag must fly high above sacred ground. This is how we will declare the continuity of generations,” the President said.
According to the Head of State, the main task of the National Kurultai is to pay special attention to rational, fresh ideas and proposals that unite the nation. Kassym-Jomart Tokayev dwelled separately on three tasks that need to be implemented.
"First. Strengthening national unity. First of all, we must attach particular importance to the formation of a new quality of the nation. At the same time, we need to create values that will move society forward. If we are to build sustainable democratic institutions, we need to develop a culture of political responsibility. We must form true patriotic qualities. Then we will be able to put up a barrier to radicalism and extremism,” the President emphasized.
The head of state emphasized that the main value of our country is sovereignty. After the tragic January events, political activity in Kazakhstan has increased dramatically. New political parties and movements are being formed.
“Public activists are raising various issues on social networks. True, sometimes there are completely irrational ideas. People who disagreed on controversial issues began to take to the streets in protest. There are citizens who break the law. It is clear that such situations take place in the gradual transition to democracy. However, it should always be borne in mind that the requirements of the law must be strictly observed. Law and order is the only guarantee of internal stability,” Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said.
The head of state believes that the main quality that unites the nation is diligence.
“In general, law-abiding people who work hard to support their families should be respected. Unfortunately, the heroes of our time are street hooligans, irresponsible bloggers and parasitic bawlers. Only deputies and representatives of executive power began to attach importance to them. Officials of various levels are in a hurry to fulfill only their demands. The authorities in the center and locally should equally listen to the needs of all citizens,” the Head of State said.
As the second priority, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev outlined the correct explanation of the essence of the constitutional reforms to the people. Today, these transformations have gradually begun to acquire a nationwide character.
The next important task of the Head of State was the involvement of the population in large-scale reforms through new technologies.
“Kurultai is not just a place where certain people meet. In fact, it should become a national assembly. This is a very important task. And to do this, we must take full advantage of the new digital technologies. Then the relations between the state and the people will be more effective. I propose to develop a special Qurultay mobile application. It will help people express their views on the modernization of the country online. Citizens should see the real benefits of the reform,” Kassym-Jomart Tokayev stressed.
The head of state believes that it is necessary to make a number of changes to the list of national holidays and anniversaries. So, in his opinion, without changing the original meaning of Independence Day, it is necessary to return the status of a national holiday, undeservedly forgotten in recent years, to the Day of the Republic.
“On October 25, 1990, the Declaration on the State Sovereignty of Kazakhstan was adopted. It was the first step of our country on the way to Independence. The First President Nursultan Nazarbayev played a very important role in the adoption of this document. Republic Day should become a symbol of the country's bold step towards statehood. Of course, Independence Day remains the main national holiday. On this day, our national heroes who have made a significant contribution to gaining Independence should be honored,” the President said.
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev also dwelled on another issue that is being actively discussed in society. This is personnel policy.
“There are those on social networks who ask: “How to create a New Kazakhstan with old personnel?” This is the right question. But in general, personnel should be changed gradually. Even after the revolutions in Russia, China and Iran, officials of the former regime continued to hold public office. Compared to these countries, of course, we have a completely different situation. In general, it is necessary to stop the infringement of civil servants. There are even those who see them as "enemies of the people." The word "official" turns into a concept with a negative meaning. It is not right. There are many honest and qualified personnel in the civil service. They work tirelessly for the good of our Motherland. But, unfortunately, if, as they say: “A fly in the ointment spoils a barrel of honey,” we will immediately say goodbye to such people,” the Head of State stressed.
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev also touched upon the status of the Kazakh language.
“The positions of the state language are being strengthened day by day. In addition, the Kazakh language penetrates into the world communication environment. Recently, the well-known company APPLE has added the Kazakh language to the iOS language system. TV channel NICKELODEON, broadcasting in 40 languages, started broadcasting in Kazakh. At the initiative of the youth, the magazine NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC has been published for 6 years in our native language. And there is a lot of good news. Therefore, I think there is no reason for special concern. However, we must be persistent in our work in this direction. As long as the Kazakh state exists, there will be the Kazakh language,” Kassym-Jomart Tokayev concluded.
At the end of his speech, the Head of State recalled that there are many historical places in the Kazakh steppe where the fate of the people was decided. In addition to Ulytau, we have such sacred places as Ordabasy, Martobe, Kultobe. Therefore, the President proposed to hold the next meeting in sacred Turkestan.
Ten members of the National Kurultai also made presentations at the event. The session was moderated by the State Councilor Yerlan Karin.
At the end of the kurultai meeting, the Head of State awarded the prominent poet Mukhtar Shakhanov the highest degree of distinction - the title of "Kazakhstannyn Yenbek Yeri" and presented him with a special distinction - the Golden Star and the Order of Otan.
By the Kazakhstanskaya Pravda
