In an extensive interview with «Turkistan» newspaper, President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev shared his views on the country’s current development trajectory, the outcomes of socio-economic reforms, the quality of the information environment, and the key challenges facing society. According to the Head of State, Kazakhstan has now entered a new stage of modernization, characterized by concrete reforms, sustained economic growth, and shifts in public consciousness.

At the beginning of the interview, the President highlighted the significant role of «Turkistan» newspaper in shaping public opinion. He noted that the publication has been consistently issued for more than thirty years and has made a substantial contribution to strengthening national identity, fostering ties within the Turkic world, and addressing pressing societal issues. Kassym-Jomart Tokayev also emphasized that he reads with particular interest articles about compatriots who have achieved success abroad, stressing that such materials help reinforce spiritual ties between Kazakhstan and the Kazakh diaspora. The President devoted special attention to the state of the information environment. While acknowledging the dominant role of social media in information dissemination, he pointed out that the quality of content circulating online is not always high. Superficial, emotionally driven, and fragmented information, he noted, can negatively affect people’s capacity for critical and in-depth thinking. In this regard, the Head of State emphasized the growing importance of traditional media, particularly newspapers and analytical journalism. According to him, reading the press broadens perspectives and cultivates a culture of thoughtful information consumption. The President also stated that he has long been a regular reader of periodicals and underscored the professional responsibility of journalists, stressing that journalism must not lose its educational mission.

A substantial part of the interview focused on Kazakhstan’s socio-economic development. According to the President, in 2025 the national economy grew by more than 6 percent, gross domestic product exceeded 300 billion US dollars, and per capita income surpassed 15,000 dollars. These figures confirm Kazakhstan’s position as one of the leading economies in the region. At the same time, the Head of State acknowledged the existence of challenges that continue to concern society, including the impact of inflation on citizens’ living standards.

The President placed particular emphasis on the importance of ongoing reforms, stating that Kazakhstan has firmly embarked on a path of systemic transformation and that there will be no reversal of this course. The primary objectives of the reforms, he said, are economic diversification, the establishment of a just society, and the enhancement of public administration efficiency. Kassym-Jomart Tokayev noted that reforms do not yield immediate results, but their long-term effects will provide a solid foundation for sustainable national development.

The interview also addressed the issue of tax system reform. The President explained that the development of a new Tax Code aims to ensure economic stability and strengthen social justice. He emphasized that tax policy must be transparent and understandable, while improving tax culture should be a shared responsibility of both the state and society. These reforms, he stressed, will underpin long-term economic growth.

Continuing the discussion on information culture, the President called on citizens to be discerning in their choice of information sources. In an era of overwhelming information flows, he noted, particular value lies in in-depth, meaningful, and reliable content. In this context, professional journalism and the role of the print media remain crucial.

Concluding the interview, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev reaffirmed that Kazakhstan’s strategic development course is clearly defined and that the country is steadily advancing along the path of renewal. Economic growth, institutional reforms, the enhancement of information culture, and increased public responsibility, he said, all indicate that Kazakhstan has entered a new stage of development. The President expressed confidence that in the coming years the reforms underway will continue consistently and deliver tangible results.