Address by the Head of State Kassym-Jomart Tokayev at the 33rd Session of the Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan “Unity. Creation. Progress”

Dear compatriots!

Dear members of the Assembly!

Today, the entire world has entered an era of cataclysms, and Kazakhstan is no exception. Indeed, trouble always comes unexpectedly.

Many regions of our country are suffering from unprecedented floods.

Our priority task right now is to ensure the safety of citizens. To this end, the Government is taking all necessary measures and has allocated appropriate funding. Large companies and business representatives are also providing their assistance.

I have already stated that my current priority as the President is to restore houses damaged by the natural disaster and return the affected citizens to normal life. Therefore, I have issued a specific instruction to cancel several international events that were previously scheduled to be held in the country.

The Astana International Forum will not be held this year. Although it is a necessary and important forum for us, it can still be postponed. What we cannot postpone, however, are the meetings and events that are of paramount importance for the well-being of the country.

Assembly sessions have always been held on the eve of Unity Day. Today's session is taking place amidst a difficult situation. However, we need this meeting at this very moment, because current circumstances underscore the continuing relevance of our core values of unity and solidarity.

Our people have faced a difficult ordeal. We are grappling with a devastating natural disaster that has engulfed half of the country. But in these difficult days, our people demonstrated strong unity: rescuers, volunteers, civil servants, military personnel, law enforcement officers, civil activists, business representatives, and young people. Everyone contributed to the common cause. The spirit of unity and solidarity spread across all regions of the country.

Many of our compatriots, driven by sympathy and empathy, helped those affected by the floods. I am immensely grateful to the citizens who showed true patriotism by significantly contributing to the fight against the water.

In the hour of adversity, our nation came together. Coordinated actions by the Government, state bodies, specialized services, as well as volunteers, helped to evacuate more than 119,000 people, including almost 45,000 children. First and foremost, we managed to save people's lives. You know what tragic consequences were once caused by the failure of just one dam.

I have visited several regions to personally monitor the situation and meet with residents.

State bodies, both centrally and locally, are now fully focused on mitigating the effects of the floods and preventing the situation from worsening. Emergency and rescue services are working around the clock. We have involved personnel from the National Guard, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Armed Forces, the National Security Committee, and the State Protection Service. On my instruction, the state reserve has been deployed to provide assistance to the victims.

Republican and regional emergency response centers are functioning. Public activists and volunteers are organizing the collection of humanitarian aid.In this difficult time, the solidarity and high civil responsibility of our compatriots have been clearly demonstrated.In several regions, the process of rebuilding infrastructure and houses has already begun. Large businessmen have joined the efforts, and public figures are making a huge contribution as well.

Various aid funds have been receiving significant financial resources from domestic companies and entrepreneurs. I think that the total amount will increase. I express my gratitude to entrepreneurs; I am confident in our further successful cooperation for the benefit of the people.

All these funds will be used to rebuild settlements and help the flood victims. The state will reimburse the damage to all the victims, no one will be left without support.

We will reduce budget expenditures to prioritize the urgent tasks of addressing the flood consequences. The country will introduce a regime of budgetary austerity. I understand that it is not easy to lose everything you have earned through hard work overnight. I would like to appeal once again to my fellow citizens who have suffered: all our people support you. The state will do everything possible so that you can return to normal life as soon as possible.

Dear Assembly members!

From the first days of the floods, everyone has seen the active and well-coordinated work of the Assembly.

The Assembly's republican and regional headquarters were deployed as soon as possible to provide comprehensive support to the victims. They have organized a large-scale "Heart to Heart" campaign, which helped to deliver more than 1500 tons of food and essential goods worth 770 million tenge to the disaster zones.

The participation of 12,000 volunteers from ethno-cultural associations in collecting charity and humanitarian aid, organizing evacuations, and informing citizens has become a living embodiment of the cohesion and mutual assistance of citizens. During my meetings with residents of flooded areas of West-Kazakhstan, North-Kazakhstan, and Kostanay regions, they expressed their gratitude to the Assembly members for their concern and timely assistance.

The Assembly once again showed in practice that it is not a decorative organization, as some people try to assert, but an effective agent promoting values of unity and solidarity of our nation, and an important public body with constitutional status. The ability to quickly deploy all the necessary infrastructure and skillfully mobilize charitable and volunteer resources is, of course, the result of many years of systematic work by the Assembly. Last year alone, within the framework of the Caravan of Mercy project, members of the Assembly provided assistance to people in need totaling more than 1.7 billion tenge.

Such mutual solidarity and support reflect the strength and character of our people.

Dear friends!

Despite the emerging complex challenges and threats, we must firmly implement our strategic goals.

In a short period of time, we have come a long way in systemic political reforms, embarked on the complex work of modernizing the economy, and renewing social ethics.

Political reforms have already given a strong impetus to the development of civil society and significantly expanded opportunities for citizens to participate in state decision-making. All branches of Government have begun to work within a new system of coordinates centered on the protection and promotion of legitimate interests, human rights, and freedoms. We have begun the transition to a new economic model based on the principles of fairness, inclusiveness, pragmatism, and laying a solid foundation for improving the well-being of all people. We are building a country of equal opportunity in which everyone will enjoy a decent standard of living.

These reforms are unprecedented in their scope, but we cannot rest on our laurels, we must continue their qualitative implementation.

To make a breakthrough in development, we must solve many problems that have been accumulating for decades. Only through joint efforts can we lay a solid foundation for future accomplishments, and make fundamental changes in politics, economy, culture, and society. That is why the agenda of this session of the Assembly is labeled "Unity. Creation. Progress". I think you understand the relevancy.

These three words very accurately and succinctly reflect not only the purpose of the Assembly but also the essence of our strategic course. Our main mission is to create and build. Unity and solidarity have always been, and will always be, our core values and a constant reference point for all public policies.

In order to achieve success, it is necessary to focus on the following urgent tasks.

FIRST. We need to synchronize the activities of the Assembly with our new humanitarian-ideological doctrine. At the Kurultai meeting in Atyrau, we summarized our key ideologems and defined a list of our basic values: Independence and Patriotism, Unity and Solidarity, Justice and Responsibility, Law and Order, Hard Work and Professionalism, Creation and Innovation. These values set meanings and guidelines in all key spheres, from politics and economy to education and culture. They shape our image of the future and strengthen our civic identity, and the Assembly's principles are fully consistent with them.

After the session of the National Kurultai, I closely monitored the course of public discussion that followed: I read the feedback, wishes, and recommendations of experts and concerned citizens. In my opinion, the leitmotif of many of the opinions expressed was the idea that the Kurultai in Atyrau has become, in fact, the starting point of a new ideology for our development, one could say, a philosophy of development.

At the same time, it should be understood that the nationwide doctrine, or platform, outlined at the Kurultai will only work in full force if it receives the support of all the leading institutions of civil society. Without your support, and without the support of society, this doctrine will remain on paper. We must implement it. The Assembly will play a decisive role in rooting the progressive attitudes laid down in it.

The entire system of socialization of citizens in the country should be focused on promoting the ideals of love for the Motherland, patriotism, based on respect for the culture, customs, and traditions of our people. Tasks of fundamental importance are those of forming the right values, views, and beliefs of citizens, as well as strengthening mutual understanding and harmony in society.

These issues cannot be left to chance, as they require the constant involvement of the Assembly and all state bodies at the central level and in the regions.

Significant attention should be paid to educating children based on our fundamental values. The worldview of the younger generation must be free from historical traumas and the grievances of dogmatism, and long-standing cultural stereotypes. Our young people must always look forward. It is important that their outlook be based on an objective perception of the past, present, and future of the country, seen as a common, indivisible asset of our united nation, without politicization and unnecessary emotions.

We, the people of Kazakhstan, must follow our own ideological agenda, free from negative external influences. Our ideology is based on the independence of the state.

In addition to the right words and intentions, concrete deeds and daily efforts are important. Concrete work should never be replaced by mere lip service.

The principles of "We are different, but we are equal" and "One nation of Kazakhstan" should resonate throughout the educational process. These principles are absolutely unshakable and firm.

Unity is, in fact, the core line of state policy and a powerful factor in strengthening national identity.

The basis of our common civic consciousness is and will be our belonging to a common homeland. The characteristic features of the citizens of Kazakhstan are national tolerance, reverence for the traditions of the past and different cultures, and mastery of the state and other languages.

Furthermore, I always say that the simplest and clearest "marker" of our national identity is the turquoise passport of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Each holder enjoys all the privileges of a citizen of Kazakhstan regardless of ethnicity, views, and beliefs.

Any citizen of the Republic of Kazakhstan anywhere in the world is under the protection of our state. We never abandon our citizens in distress. Remember when the world was hit by the coronavirus pandemic and lockdowns were introduced in many countries. Kazakhstan promptly organized the evacuation of its citizens from different corners of the globe. We also promptly evacuated our citizens during the escalation of tensions in Afghanistan in 2021 and the aggravation of the situation in the Gaza Strip in 2023, as well as during the aggravation of the situation in Ukraine. Whenever there is a security threat to our citizens abroad, we take decisive action to return them to their homeland as soon as possible.

Our turquoise passport symbolizes the high values on which our country is based. It is recognized around the world as a document of a progressive modern State.

Citizens of Kazakhstan can visit dozens of countries without a visa, and this list is constantly growing thanks to our focused work. Currently, Kazakhstan is ranked 66th in the World Passport Index. This is a respectable position, but we will continue to work on improving this index.

In addition, in recent years, the number of persons wishing to relinquish Kazakhstan's citizenship has decreased significantly; on the contrary, many people now seek to acquire the citizenship of Kazakhstan.

All this is convincing evidence of the sustainable development and attractiveness of our country, as well as its high prestige in the international arena.

The Assembly will pay increased attention to the ideological education of youth. This is extremely important in this turbulent, unpredictable world.

The Assembly will develop existing and create new platforms for interethnic communications, promote socially significant projects, encourage volunteerism, and support the activities of local communities.

The Assembly's activities also play an important role in countering the five social vices I mentioned at the National Kurultai meeting: drug addiction, gambling addiction, violence in family and society, vandalism, and waste. To ensure the safety of society, we must eradicate these negative phenomena. This is especially important for the future of our children and youth, whom we must protect and educate in every possible way.

I am convinced that a successful fight against these societal diseases is possible only if all citizens, regardless of their ethnic, religious, or social affiliations, are actively involved.

Large-scale changes always begin with small steps-changing the mindsets, life strategies, and behavior patterns of specific individuals.

It is important that each of us acts in the spirit of the concept of "Adal Azamat": not only impartially identifying all the problems of our society but also actively contributing to their elimination.

SECOND. We are witnessing a rapidly expanding global cataclysm and growing confrontations between different states in military-political, trade-economic, and even cultural-humanitarian spheres.

Attempts to use international turbulence to promote radical ideologies and incite xenophobia are clearly manifesting.

The voices of those trying to attribute ethno-religious motives to the geostrategic ambitions of certain states and even frame them as a form of inter-civilizational conflict have become louder.

As a consequence, a sharp intensification of various extremist forces is being recorded in different parts of the world today.

Terrorist threats are again coming to the fore. The recent bloody terrorist attack in the Moscow region has deeply hurt our hearts. Many of our citizens brought flowers to the buildings of the Russian Embassy and consulates in Kazakhstan as a sign of sincere solidarity and sympathy for the victims of the tragedy. This reaction was mirrored practically all over the world.

As a country always committed to international law and universally accepted humanist ideals, Kazakhstan was among the first to call on UN Member States to condemn this inhuman act of violence against civilians. Only through dialogue and the consolidation of efforts will humanity be able to resist the growing wave of chaos and destruction, overcome disunity, and address the crisis of confidence in international relations.

Against the backdrop of alarming global events, we as a nation must be more united than ever in our intentions and aspirations.

It is crucial to foster an atmosphere of intolerance toward any manifestations of ethnic exclusivity and isolation in society, especially provocations and attempts to discriminate against citizens on cultural, linguistic, ethnic, or religious grounds.

For many countries, the language issue has been a topical one. Historical experience shows that its successful resolution largely predetermines the stability of the socio-political situation in a country. Kazakhstan is no exception.

We must show strategic restraint and tolerance in this extremely sensitive area, taking into account external and internal factors. However, this does not exclude but rather necessitates increased attention to the comprehensive development of the state language, which, I am sure, will in time become the language of inter-ethnic communication.

In fact, it is gradually happening. Today we will present awards to people who, on their own initiative, have mastered the Kazakh language very well and popularize it in our society. I believe that this is very useful and politically important work.

Kazakhstan has been and will remain a multilingual country with Kazakh as the state language, and this is our great advantage. Russian, which is on the list of official languages of the United Nations, is certainly needed, given the world's longest border with Russia, and the demand for this language in the Eurasian space and in the international community.

The authorities will take measures to ensure the calm and security of the people. All speculations and insinuations, no matter who they come from, will receive a strong public response and an adequate reaction from law enforcement agencies.

Any attempts to split our society must be firmly suppressed. Involvement of our fellow citizens in foreign information wars and the propagation of hatred carry serious risks for the stability of our country and harmony in society.

Each of us needs to clearly follow the letter and spirit of our Constitution, which proclaims equal rights and freedoms for all citizens. It is important to always observe Law and Order in everything, ensuring the rule of law by word and deed.

Our task is to strengthen mutual respect and trust in society, to seek new unifying principles and attitudes, as opposed to religious, regional, or socio-economic differences. The Assembly's work in this important and complex area is of particular importance.

THIRD. The institutional capacity of the Assembly should be strengthened; its interaction with state bodies, Parliament, and maslikhats should be enhanced. In recent years, the APK has undergone a difficult path of transformation, becoming an important institution of public self-organization and the main headquarters for the coordination of ethno-cultural associations.

The Assembly should show an example of productive partnership with state structures at all levels and directions. Special emphasis should be placed on building effective mechanisms of work with local executive bodies and maslikhats.

It is clear that the heads of regions are busy solving a huge array of current issues, but the task of strengthening national unity is particularly urgent and also requires constant attention and involvement in the work. According to my instructions, regional akims are obliged to hold meetings on the interethnic situation with the participation of Assembly representatives at least once every two months.

I have instructed all regional heads to attend key events of the Assembly in person, without entrusting this to their deputies. It would be correct if the same approach were practiced by the heads of other government bodies, first and foremost by the deputies of the Parliament and maslikhats at all levels.

The role of the Assembly in making state decisions and supporting the reforms being carried out in the country should be consistently strengthened.

For this purpose, it is necessary to develop the scientific and expert potential of the APK. The Assembly should always focus on practical activities to identify and preventively eliminate possible hotbeds of ethno-social tension. Specialists in Almaty, Zhambyl, and Turkestan regions have started work on ethno-mediation. Useful experience should be scaled up across APK's organizational horizon. The Assembly should strengthen its position as a leading institution of social integration and active patriotism.

First of all, such effective instruments as Mothers' Councils and the Council of Assembly Elders should be further developed. The relevant ministries and akimats need to support their activities through special grants and the state social order.

Youth can give a new impetus to the work of the Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan. Therefore, I propose that each head of ethno-cultural associations and all public structures of the Assembly appoint a youth representative as one of his deputies.

It is necessary to define the list of youth projects of the Assembly, starting with volunteer projects, which should receive comprehensive support from the central and local executive bodies.

The Houses of Friendship have become popular platforms for nationwide integration and a reliable base for the realization of large-scale initiatives of the Assembly in all regions. Over one hundred socially significant projects have already been successfully realized under their auspices.

We should consider further strengthening and expanding the activities of the Houses of Friendship as modern community centers, where public meetings and discussions take place, and where new ideas and initiatives are born. I support this initiative.

Friendship Houses should not only be a "place of attraction" for ethno-cultural associations but also become "points of support and growth" for local communities, centers for promoting the values of unity, creation, and progress.

Next year, we will celebrate the thirtieth anniversary of the Assembly. A very important event, politically important, I would say. We need to approach this anniversary very thoughtfully.

The Assembly has proved to be an effective instrument of our verified policy of inter-ethnic harmony and national unity. As a unique civil institution, the Assembly has made a useful contribution to preserving the atmosphere of mutual respect and trust in society.

We will use the forthcoming milestone anniversary to explain and popularize APK's activities and to involve citizens in the painstaking work to strengthen the unity of our people.

The Government will prepare an action plan for the 30th anniversary of the Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan.

All state bodies, political parties, public organizations, figures of science and culture, and representatives of the public will take part in the events, which will be of a business nature. The plan should organically combine events that demonstrate our basic principle of "unity in diversity," along with projects of social orientation.

I would like to draw attention to the principle of "unity in diversity," which I often cite. This principle is global in nature and belongs to the UN.

The main perspective tasks of state policy and public activity in the sphere of interethnic relations that I have outlined should form the basis of our daily work.

Dear friends!

Today we have substantially discussed a wide range of issues, summarized the results, and defined new benchmarks for our multifaceted work to strengthen the unity of our people.

I know that on the eve of the session, fruitful discussions were also held in the regions.

I thank everyone for their valuable suggestions, all of which will be analyzed and taken into account in our future work.

I express my gratitude to the Public Deputy Chairpersons of the Assembly, Aurika Gyak and Akbarjon Yakhiyakhozhaevich Ismailov, who have made a significant contribution to the activities of the APK during one year in office.

I would like to introduce the newly appointed Vice-Chairmen of the Assembly - Yuri Germanovich Shin and Lugmar Kharkievich Bularov. They are well-respected among the members of the Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan and actively participate in the activities of the National Kurultai. This is of special importance from the point of view of synchronizing further work of such important public institutions in our country.

I am confident that the effective implementation of the decisions of the session will unite society's efforts in building a better future for all citizens of Kazakhstan.

Thanks to constructive dialogue and effective partnership between state structures and civil society institutions, especially with the Assembly, we will be able to solve all the problems we face. This is especially important at such a critical moment in our history when we are overcoming the consequences of devastating floods and continuing to carry out fundamental transformations in all spheres.

Dear compatriots!

All states sooner or later go through various trials, experiencing radical and often painful transformations. Today, we are also gaining invaluable experience from deep modernization, learning to cope with all difficulties together, and to act promptly and jointly in difficult situations.

In the past, we often talked about the hard nineties that hardened us. Now, many people no longer remember those times. However, in recent years, our country is experiencing a new history of overcoming incredible difficulties. But thanks to our unity and cohesion, we are coping with these challenges and becoming only stronger.

During situations such as the current large-scale floods, the consolidation of our people reaches a new level, solidarity and mutual support among citizens is clearly manifested, and the state apparatus gains valuable experience in dealing with crises.

The media and individual citizens who call themselves bloggers should realize that creating hysteria surrounding the disaster and making indiscriminate accusations are detrimental to the consolidation of society. They create the illusion of a loss of control over the situation by government agencies, which is misinformation.

Such actions generate social depression with all its obvious consequences for the reputation of our people. Therefore, the authorities will take legal measures against those who lead attacks on the security of our country to avoid these kinds of undesirable phenomena.

At the same time, authorities at all levels are obliged to maintain close contact with the citizens of the country, especially with authoritative and responsible activists, to listen to the opinions of the people and, most importantly, to make quick and correct decisions.

The overwhelming majority of citizens realize that the state now has to unravel a tangle of many long-standing problems. The Government needs to restore elementary order in many spheres on one hand, and on the other hand, to lay the foundation for further sustainable development of the country.

It is necessary to solve the difficult task of creating an effective system for fighting against natural disasters.

We must rebuild the interaction between the state and science to take preventive measures against natural disasters. On my instructions, the Kazakh Hydromelioration and Construction Institute in Taraz is being restored, and the Institute of Seismology in Almaty will be strengthened. Special attention will be paid to the study and containment of climate change.

The entire water management system, including companies such as Kazvodkhoz and Nurinsk Group Water Supply, will be reorganized. Almost all dams and reservoirs in our country were built back in the 50s-70s of the last century. Due to the lack of modern regulating water management facilities, the current floods have had much larger consequences than they could have.

Therefore, 20 new reservoirs will be built in 11 regions of Kazakhstan, and 15 existing reservoirs will be reconstructed, which will significantly reduce the risks of flooding in 134 settlements.

Measures to prevent and mitigate floods will be added to the Water Resources Management Development Concept, taking into account the best international practices.

We will update the technical base of the Ministry of Emergency Situations, strengthen its provision with special equipment, helicopters, and airplanes.

The National Hydrogeological Service will also be reconstituted to explore and protect underground water resources.

At the same time, it should be well understood that the state of the environment is our common responsibility. It is necessary to form an ecological culture in society, promoting principles of a careful attitude toward nature.

On my initiative, a nationwide "Clean Kazakhstan" campaign is being held in the country. It will also be held in the regions affected by floods.

I warn you, this is not a one-time action: we need to pay constant attention to the greening and cleaning of territories in all regions. If each of us contributes to the common good, our country will only become better.

We must bring our cities and towns into proper condition. Every house, yard, residential complex, park, and other places of public use should not be left without the attention of akims and the public. Citizens should be very active because we are talking about a healthy and attractive environment. This is an indicator of our civic culture and even of the nation. We will deal with vandals according to the law.

Akims, with the assistance of the Government, should undertake to improve local roads. The work in these areas will be included in the list of key indicators by which the work of akims will be assessed.

Our common task - the victory over the natural disaster - is not far off. Reconstruction of the affected regions will begin after the departure of the big water. This work is difficult and responsible.

First of all, citizens will be compensated for the damage; construction of houses and allocation of apartments, as well as the restoration of destroyed infrastructure, will begin. I, as the President of the country, will not spare any expense here. The most important thing for me is the well-being of citizens. After all, why did we save this money for a number of years? Was it for it to just lie around or be invested in foreign securities? No, it was for the citizens of our country. A short period of 5 summer and autumn months has been allocated for this huge work. But I am sure we will cope together.

As a result of these large-scale floods, thousands of people have lost their property and have been left without a source of income. Therefore, the state is taking targeted measures to support citizens.

All those affected will receive a lump sum payment per family.

After an assessment, they will be paid compensation for damaged or destroyed property.

The state will repair the damaged housing and build new housing to replace the destroyed ones.

At the same time, it should be taken into account that constructing housing in floodplains is known to carry risks of repeated flooding and destruction. Therefore, it is necessary to determine the locations for developing new districts, taking into account the hydrological and geographical peculiarities of each settlement. Akimats should strictly observe the requirements of the relevant rules and explain to citizens the necessity of possible relocation. People's lives and property must not be jeopardized.

I believe that the upcoming large-scale construction will create new opportunities for citizens. Citizens will be able to change their place of residence by building or obtaining houses in settlements with more attractive economic potential and ecological situations.

At the same time, decisions on the possible resettlement of settlements located in unfavorable zones will be made taking into account the opinions of each flood-affected family. There will be no coercion or violence. For those who want to rebuild their homes themselves, there will be a separate mechanism of payments to ensure their targeted use.

The process of applying for compensation for damage and property restoration will be digitalized. There is a separate instruction to the Government in this regard.

Large businessmen who have expressed a desire to help will be assigned to each settlement. This will allow entrepreneurs to clearly see how the funds they have allocated are spent.

All large-scale work on the restoration of housing and infrastructure will be under my personal control.

Citizens affected by the floods will receive a three-month grace period on loans. They will not be charged any fines or penalties for late payments due to the floods.

In addition, the Government will support small and medium-sized businesses affected by the disaster, as well as farmers in the flooded regions. In particular, deferrals of interest payments on loans and leasing payments will be granted to entrepreneurs and farmers in these regions.

Agrarians will also receive all the necessary assistance for a timely and successful sowing campaign.

I repeat once again: no one will be left without support at this difficult moment; the state will fulfill all its obligations.

Subsequently, we will have to think about further development of the system of insurance for citizens' property. In developed countries, it is the insurance companies that bear a significant part of the cost of repairing damage after natural disasters. Of course, this issue is associated with further development of the economy and financial system, and the formation of an appropriate culture in society. I believe that the Government should also address this issue.

The main task of the state is and will be to ensure the well-being of citizens. The concept of building a "Just Kazakhstan" is not an empty sound, but a reality that is taking clear shape.

For this purpose, specific measures are being taken, and new opportunities are constantly being created. For example, within the framework of the implementation of four infrastructural initiatives put forward by me at the third Kurultai meeting, a new "Nauryz" mortgage program will start operating from May 1. For its realization, within 8 years, 1.7 trillion tenge will be attracted. As a result, about 70,000 families will be able to get their own housing.

Dear compatriots!

In such a difficult time, the priority for us is to preserve unity and cohesion. We must put an insurmountable barrier to any actions that divide our society. As I said earlier, opponents of Kazakh statehood do not sit idle; in search of popularity, they try to impose their destructive agenda on social networks, spreading false information. Therefore, it is important for all of us, as never before, to be critical of any incoming information, to trust only official sources, and to be guided by facts.

At crucial moments in history, our people have always shown incredible resilience and solidarity, always following the high ideals of humanism and compassion. History is testing us again. In these tense weeks, we are undergoing a nationwide test of strength and ability to overcome this unprecedented natural cataclysm with honor. Every crisis brings not only challenges but also reveals hidden strengths and abilities in each of us and creates new opportunities.

Sooner or later, everything that in one way or another hinders our progress will be washed away by the flow of history and will fade into oblivion.

Therefore, the current natural disaster is not a reason for depression and despondency.The road to progress is always winding and thorny.But after failures and troubles, successes and prosperous days are sure to come."Alapat taskyn" ("The Great Flood") should become a kind of watershed, separating us from the era of "lost time" and imaginary achievements. Very soon, the water will recede, and people will return to normal life. It is not without reason that it is said that there is no bad without good. During the floods, the unity of our people was strengthened; the whole country helped the residents of the affected regions, who fully felt the genuine sympathy and empathy of their compatriots. Moreover, of course, no one waits for a disaster to improve the state of affairs in the country, but such cataclysms push for the urgent solution of many problems.

After the floods are over, some villages will be moved to other places where houses will be built, roads will be constructed, and water supply will be provided. Villages will have a completely new look. In general, all over the world, big crises open the way for accelerated development.

I think that this unprecedented flood will have a positive impact on the country. And our people, united in the days of trials, will make a decisive step into the era of renewal and progress, into a better future. We are all citizens of one country, people of one destiny, united by history itself into an indestructible monolith of unity and universal responsibility for the future of our Motherland - the Republic of Kazakhstan.

We as a nation cherish the precepts of our ancestors and look forward with confidence.

We have a clear and distinct goal - to build a Just Kazakhstan.

As President, I see my main task as protecting the independence of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Achieving this sacred goal is possible by building a Just Kazakhstan and by pursuing an active and constructive foreign policy.

On this path, we will solve large-scale tasks and overcome all challenges. Relying on national ideals and guidelines, we will strengthen our statehood and raise the banner of our sacred independence even higher.

I firmly believe in this and will do everything for it, because it is my duty as President and citizen.

May prosperity, peace, and harmony always reign in our country!