Tokayev appoints new heads of National Bank, NSC, Supreme Judicial Council, and ombudsman

AI digestMimile.ai EditorialAugust 24, 2026 at 03:08 PM

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Tokayev appoints new heads of National Bank, NSC, Supreme Judicial Council, and ombudsman

Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed decrees on August 24 appointing Timur Suleimenov as National Bank chairman, Yermek Sagimbayev as National Security Committee chairman, Dmitry Malakhov as Supreme Judicial Council chairman, and Artur Lastayev as human rights ombudsman. The appointments fill four of six senior posts required under the new constitution that took effect July 1, 2026. The moves come a day after elections to the Kurultai, after which the government is expected to resign.

Key Facts

Timur Suleimenov was appointed chairman of the National Bank of Kazakhstan by presidential decree.
Yermek Sagimbayev was appointed chairman of the National Security Committee of Kazakhstan.
Dmitry Malakhov was appointed chairman of the Supreme Judicial Council of Kazakhstan.
Artur Lastayev was reappointed as Kazakhstan's human rights ombudsman, a post he has held since December 29, 2022.
The appointments were announced by the presidential press service Akorda on August 24, 2026.

Presidential Decrees

President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed four decrees on August 24, 2026, according to the Akorda press service. The decrees appoint Timur Suleimenov as chairman of the National Bank of Kazakhstan. Yermek Sagimbayev was named chairman of the National Security Committee. Dmitry Malakhov was appointed chairman of the Supreme Judicial Council. Artur Lastayev was reappointed as human rights ombudsman.

Constitutional Deadline

Under the new constitution that took effect on July 1, 2026, six senior officials must be appointed within two months. The six posts are the prosecutor general, National Bank chairman, Supreme Court chairman, National Security Committee chairman, Supreme Judicial Council chairman, and human rights ombudsman. The August 24 decrees fill four of those six positions. The appointments came one day after elections to the Kurultai on August 23, 2026. Following the Kurultai elections, the government is expected to resign.

Ombudsman Reappointment

Artur Lastayev has served as Kazakhstan's human rights ombudsman since December 29, 2022. He was born in 1983 in Almaty and graduated with honors from Al-Farabi Kazakh State University in 2005 with a degree in international law. Lastayev earned a master's degree in economics and law from Al-Farabi Kazakh National University in 2007. He completed master's programs in criminal justice at the University of Virginia and the FBI National Academy in 2015. In 2018, he received a master's degree in international law in armed conflicts from the University of Geneva.

Politics

Tokayev expands Prosecutor General's Office powers on investor protection

Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed a decree on August 21, 2026, amending the regulations of the Prosecutor General's Office. The changes expand the office's powers in investor protection, asset recovery, and international legal cooperation. The Prosecutor General now also serves as investment ombudsman.

Politics

Tokayev meets Xi Jinping in Beijing, signs 30 deals

Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on July 20, signing 30 bilateral agreements worth $15 billion. The deals cover energy, transport, and digital infrastructure. The meeting underscores deepening ties between the two nations amid shifting global trade dynamics.

Finance

Tokayev Orders Balanced Budgets, Names 2027-2029 Infrastructure Priorities

President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev chaired a meeting on economic development and budget planning at the Akorda presidential residence. He instructed the government to ensure this year’s economic growth targets are met and republican and local budgets are balanced.

Politics

Tokayev addresses Kazakhstan ahead of first Kurultai elections

President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev addressed Kazakhstan on August 21 ahead of the first elections to the new unicameral Kurultai, set for August 23. He called the vote a historic event and urged citizens, especially youth, to participate. The address aired on national television at 19:00.

Tokayev appoints new heads of National Bank, NSC, Supreme Judicial Council, and ombudsman

Key Facts

Presidential Decrees

Constitutional Deadline

Ombudsman Reappointment

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