July 2026 was one of the key months in Kazakhstan’s ongoing process of political and institutional transformation. The main development was the scheduling of the first elections of Kurultai members and the launch of a full-scale electoral campaign.
At the same time, the country continued establishing institutions envisaged by the new Constitution, developing the digital economy, enhancing the transparency of public finances, and strengthening international economic cooperation.
July 1 — First Elections of Kurultai Members Scheduled
President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed Decree No. 1338 scheduling the elections of members to the Kurultai of the Republic of Kazakhstan for August 23, 2026.
The Central Election Commission was instructed to organize and conduct the elections, while the Government and akimats were tasked with ensuring the necessary organizational, financial, logistical, and technical conditions.
This officially marked the beginning of the first electoral campaign to form Kazakhstan’s new unicameral Parliament.
July 2 — Secretariat of the Kazakhstan Halyk Kenesi Established
The President signed a decree establishing the state institution “Secretariat of the Kazakhstan Halyk Kenesi”.
The document approved the regulations governing the Secretariat and its organizational structure. The establishment of the Secretariat marked a practical step toward creating a new nationwide consultative body envisaged by Kazakhstan’s updated institutional framework.
July 2 — 38th Plenary Meeting of the Foreign Investors’ Council Held
The 38th plenary meeting of the Foreign Investors’ Council was held under the chairmanship of the President.
The Head of State emphasized the need for Kazakhstan to adapt to new economic and political conditions, develop a sustainable economy, and expand cooperation with international investors.
The President also noted that 2026 had been declared the Year of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development in Kazakhstan.
July 4 — Respublica Party Approves Election Platform
The Respublica party announced its readiness to participate in the elections of Kurultai members and approved its election platform and party list of candidates. The list included Aibek Kumysbekov, co-founder of the independent analytical platform Astana Open Dialogue.
July 6 — Auyl Party Approves Party List
At its 26th Extraordinary Congress, the Auyl Party approved its election platform and party list of candidates for the Kurultai elections. The documents were submitted to the Central Election Commission for subsequent registration.
July 7 — People’s Party of Kazakhstan Holds Extraordinary Congress
At its 25th Extraordinary Congress, the People’s Party of Kazakhstan approved its election platform and party list of candidates to participate in the elections of Kurultai members.
July 8 — OSDP Finalizes Its Election Slate
The Nationwide Social Democratic Party (OSDP) held an Extraordinary Congress, where it approved its party list of candidates and the key provisions of its election platform.
July 9 — Baytaq Party Approves List of Candidates
The Baytaq Party held an Extraordinary Congress, at which it approved its election platform and list of candidates to participate in the elections of Kurultai members.
July 10 — Adilet Party Holds Its Third Extraordinary Congress
The 3rd Extraordinary Congress of the Adilet Party was held in Astana. Delegates approved the party’s election platform, list of candidates for the Kurultai elections, and adopted the relevant congress resolution. The candidates included Marat Shibutov and Alexandr Danilov, co-founders of the independent analytical platform Astana Open Dialogue.
July 14 — Economic Growth Reaches 4.1% in the First Half of the Year
The Government reviewed Kazakhstan’s socio-economic development results for January–June 2026. According to the Ministry of National Economy, economic growth accelerated to 4.1% in the first half of the year.
Republican budget revenues, excluding transfers, amounted to KZT 8.5 trillion, while expenditures were executed at 98.2%. Inflation stood at 10.3% in the first half of the year.
July 14 — President Discusses the Work of the Kazakhstan Halyk Kenesi
The President received Kanatbek Zhaisanbayev, Deputy Chairman and Head of the Secretariat of the Kazakhstan Halyk Kenesi. The meeting addressed organizational issues related to the activities of the new consultative body and its Secretariat.
The meeting marked a transition from the formal establishment of the Kazakhstan Halyk Kenesi to the practical organization of its activities.
July 21 — Plan to Combat the Shadow Economy Approved Until 2028
The Government approved a Comprehensive Action Plan to Combat the Shadow Economy for 2026–2028.
The plan includes 53 measures aimed at:
The Government separately emphasized that the implementation of the plan should not create additional administrative burdens for bona fide entrepreneurs.
July 22 — Digital Tenge
The Government announced plans to scale up the use of the digital tenge to 100 projects by the end of 2026. The integration of the digital tenge with the information systems of the Ministry of Finance is expected to be completed in August. This is intended to expand its use in public procurement and increase the transparency of budget spending.
July 23 — Registration of Party Lists Completed
On July 23, the Central Election Commission completed the registration of party lists for participation in the elections of Kurultai members. Seven political parties were cleared to participate in the elections. Following the completion of registration, the parties were able to begin their official election campaigns.
July 23 — Official Election Campaign Begins
The election campaign for the Kurultai elections officially began on July 23, 2026, at 6:01 p.m. Seven political parties opened national and regional campaign headquarters and began holding meetings with voters and distributing campaign materials.
The campaign period will continue until midnight on August 22. A day of silence will follow, with voting scheduled for August 23, 2026.
July 24 — Base Rate Cut to 16.75%
The National Bank of Kazakhstan cut the base rate from 17% to 16.75% per annum. This marked the second consecutive rate cut, following the reduction from 18% to 17% in June 2026. The National Bank plans to announce its next decision on the base rate on September 4.
July 25 — 22nd Kazakhstan–Russia Forum of Interregional Cooperation Held
The 22nd Forum of Interregional Cooperation between Kazakhstan and Russia was held in Omsk, with the participation of Presidents Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Vladimir Putin.
The theme of the plenary session was “Building a Global Logistics Ecosystem: New Horizons for Russian–Kazakh Cooperation”. The heads of state were also presented with digital projects aimed at increasing the transparency of trade flows, digitalizing transportation processes, and enhancing road transport safety.
July 29 — First Inter-Party Televised Debate Held
Kazakhstan hosted its first inter-party televised debate as part of the campaign for the elections of Kurultai deputies. Representatives of seven political parties presented their election platforms and answered questions live on a national television channel.
At the same time, the country continued establishing institutions envisaged by the new Constitution, developing the digital economy, enhancing the transparency of public finances, and strengthening international economic cooperation.
July 1 — First Elections of Kurultai Members Scheduled
President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed Decree No. 1338 scheduling the elections of members to the Kurultai of the Republic of Kazakhstan for August 23, 2026.
The Central Election Commission was instructed to organize and conduct the elections, while the Government and akimats were tasked with ensuring the necessary organizational, financial, logistical, and technical conditions.
This officially marked the beginning of the first electoral campaign to form Kazakhstan’s new unicameral Parliament.
July 2 — Secretariat of the Kazakhstan Halyk Kenesi Established
The President signed a decree establishing the state institution “Secretariat of the Kazakhstan Halyk Kenesi”.
The document approved the regulations governing the Secretariat and its organizational structure. The establishment of the Secretariat marked a practical step toward creating a new nationwide consultative body envisaged by Kazakhstan’s updated institutional framework.
July 2 — 38th Plenary Meeting of the Foreign Investors’ Council Held
The 38th plenary meeting of the Foreign Investors’ Council was held under the chairmanship of the President.
The Head of State emphasized the need for Kazakhstan to adapt to new economic and political conditions, develop a sustainable economy, and expand cooperation with international investors.
The President also noted that 2026 had been declared the Year of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development in Kazakhstan.
July 4 — Respublica Party Approves Election Platform
The Respublica party announced its readiness to participate in the elections of Kurultai members and approved its election platform and party list of candidates. The list included Aibek Kumysbekov, co-founder of the independent analytical platform Astana Open Dialogue.
July 6 — Auyl Party Approves Party List
At its 26th Extraordinary Congress, the Auyl Party approved its election platform and party list of candidates for the Kurultai elections. The documents were submitted to the Central Election Commission for subsequent registration.
July 7 — People’s Party of Kazakhstan Holds Extraordinary Congress
At its 25th Extraordinary Congress, the People’s Party of Kazakhstan approved its election platform and party list of candidates to participate in the elections of Kurultai members.
July 8 — OSDP Finalizes Its Election Slate
The Nationwide Social Democratic Party (OSDP) held an Extraordinary Congress, where it approved its party list of candidates and the key provisions of its election platform.
July 9 — Baytaq Party Approves List of Candidates
The Baytaq Party held an Extraordinary Congress, at which it approved its election platform and list of candidates to participate in the elections of Kurultai members.
July 10 — Adilet Party Holds Its Third Extraordinary Congress
The 3rd Extraordinary Congress of the Adilet Party was held in Astana. Delegates approved the party’s election platform, list of candidates for the Kurultai elections, and adopted the relevant congress resolution. The candidates included Marat Shibutov and Alexandr Danilov, co-founders of the independent analytical platform Astana Open Dialogue.
July 14 — Economic Growth Reaches 4.1% in the First Half of the Year
The Government reviewed Kazakhstan’s socio-economic development results for January–June 2026. According to the Ministry of National Economy, economic growth accelerated to 4.1% in the first half of the year.
Republican budget revenues, excluding transfers, amounted to KZT 8.5 trillion, while expenditures were executed at 98.2%. Inflation stood at 10.3% in the first half of the year.
July 14 — President Discusses the Work of the Kazakhstan Halyk Kenesi
The President received Kanatbek Zhaisanbayev, Deputy Chairman and Head of the Secretariat of the Kazakhstan Halyk Kenesi. The meeting addressed organizational issues related to the activities of the new consultative body and its Secretariat.
The meeting marked a transition from the formal establishment of the Kazakhstan Halyk Kenesi to the practical organization of its activities.
July 21 — Plan to Combat the Shadow Economy Approved Until 2028
The Government approved a Comprehensive Action Plan to Combat the Shadow Economy for 2026–2028.
The plan includes 53 measures aimed at:
- increasing business transparency;
- ensuring fair competition;
- increasing budget revenues;
- digitalizing sectors with a high risk of shadow economic activity;
- integrating data from government agencies;
- using artificial intelligence to detect violations.
The Government separately emphasized that the implementation of the plan should not create additional administrative burdens for bona fide entrepreneurs.
July 22 — Digital Tenge
The Government announced plans to scale up the use of the digital tenge to 100 projects by the end of 2026. The integration of the digital tenge with the information systems of the Ministry of Finance is expected to be completed in August. This is intended to expand its use in public procurement and increase the transparency of budget spending.
July 23 — Registration of Party Lists Completed
On July 23, the Central Election Commission completed the registration of party lists for participation in the elections of Kurultai members. Seven political parties were cleared to participate in the elections. Following the completion of registration, the parties were able to begin their official election campaigns.
July 23 — Official Election Campaign Begins
The election campaign for the Kurultai elections officially began on July 23, 2026, at 6:01 p.m. Seven political parties opened national and regional campaign headquarters and began holding meetings with voters and distributing campaign materials.
The campaign period will continue until midnight on August 22. A day of silence will follow, with voting scheduled for August 23, 2026.
July 24 — Base Rate Cut to 16.75%
The National Bank of Kazakhstan cut the base rate from 17% to 16.75% per annum. This marked the second consecutive rate cut, following the reduction from 18% to 17% in June 2026. The National Bank plans to announce its next decision on the base rate on September 4.
July 25 — 22nd Kazakhstan–Russia Forum of Interregional Cooperation Held
The 22nd Forum of Interregional Cooperation between Kazakhstan and Russia was held in Omsk, with the participation of Presidents Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Vladimir Putin.
The theme of the plenary session was “Building a Global Logistics Ecosystem: New Horizons for Russian–Kazakh Cooperation”. The heads of state were also presented with digital projects aimed at increasing the transparency of trade flows, digitalizing transportation processes, and enhancing road transport safety.
July 29 — First Inter-Party Televised Debate Held
Kazakhstan hosted its first inter-party televised debate as part of the campaign for the elections of Kurultai deputies. Representatives of seven political parties presented their election platforms and answered questions live on a national television channel.
Thus, a key development in July 2026 was the launch of the electoral campaign to form the first convocation of the Kurultai. The scheduling of elections for August 23, the registration of party lists, and the launch of the campaign on July 23 marked the transition of Kazakhstan’s political reform into its practical phase.
At the same time, the state continued the institutional development of the Kazakhstan Halyk Kenesi, the advancement of the digital economy, and the introduction of new mechanisms for monitoring public finances and combating the shadow economy.
At the same time, the state continued the institutional development of the Kazakhstan Halyk Kenesi, the advancement of the digital economy, and the introduction of new mechanisms for monitoring public finances and combating the shadow economy.