Tokayev announces Kazakhstan People's Council to form in September

September 5, 2026 at 03:31 AM2 min

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President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev announced the Kazakhstan People's Council will be formed in the second half of September. The new body is the country's first supreme consultative organ representing ethnic, regional, and social diversity. Its constitutional law took effect on July 1, 2026.

Key Facts

The Kazakhstan People's Council will be formed in the second half of September 2026.
The Constitutional Law 'On the Kazakhstan People's Council' took effect on July 1, 2026.
The council holds the right of legislative initiative and can propose calling a nationwide referendum.
The council will organize the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, a function previously held by the Senate.
The council will assume functions previously under the Assembly of People of Kazakhstan, including interethnic relations policy.

Formation and Legal Basis

President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev announced the formation of the Kazakhstan People's Council during the opening of the first session of the newly elected Kurultai. The council will be formed in the second half of September 2026. The Constitutional Law 'On the Kazakhstan People's Council' came into force on July 1, 2026. The law defines the legal status, powers, formation procedure, and organization of the council's activities.

Powers and Functions

The council is tasked with ensuring public participation in the formation and implementation of state policy. It will develop proposals and recommendations on key areas of domestic policy, public accord, and national unity. The council has the right of legislative initiative and may propose calling a nationwide referendum. It will organize the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, a function previously held by the Senate. The council will also take over functions from the Assembly of People of Kazakhstan, including interethnic relations policy and national consolidation.

Representation and Dialogue

Tokayev described the council as a symbol of Kazakhstan's unique diversity. The body is designed to embody the ethnic, regional, social, and socio-political diversity of the country. It aims to convert public discussion into concrete recommendations for the legislative and executive branches. The council is intended to raise the dialogue between the state and citizens to a new level within the overall decision-making system.