January 2026 became for Kazakhstan not merely the beginning of a new calendar cycle, but the starting point of a deep constitutional reset. The month’s agenda was focused not on the launch of new initiatives, but on the transition to the practical and legal formalization of previously announced transformations, as well as on clarifying the roles of key institutions of public authority.
Below are the key events of the month presented in chronological order.
January 1 – Launch of a New Fiscal Policy
From the beginning of the year, an updated taxation system came into force in the country. The main changes included the introduction of a progressive personal income tax with rates of 10% and 15%, as well as an increase in the value-added tax to 16%. For the financial sector and the gambling industry, an increased corporate income tax rate of 25% was established. These measures are aimed at expanding budget revenues and strengthening fiscal oversight of high-income sectors of the economy.
January 5 – Defining Strategic Priorities
In an extended interview with the Turkistan newspaper, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev presented his vision of the reforms. The Head of State emphasized that Kazakhstan is entering a decisive stage of transformation. Key themes included technological sovereignty, the fight against corruption in the social sector, and the irreversibility of the course toward demonopolization. The interview served as the ideological foundation for the subsequent political innovations of the month.
January 6 – Elevating the AI Agenda to a National Priority
Continuing the outlined course, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed a decree officially declaring 2026 the Year of Digitalization and Artificial Intelligence in Kazakhstan. This decision elevated technological development from a sectoral task to the level of a top state priority. Accordingly, key objectives for the year include the construction of large data centers and the launch of a national supercomputer to advance scientific research. In addition, the decree laid the groundwork for the country’s digital sovereignty, signaling Kazakhstan’s ambition to become the leading technological hub in the region.
January 9–15 – Meetings of the Working Group on Parliamentary Reform
In the first half of the month, the activities of the Working Group moved into the phase of detailed legal design and expert verification. The meetings focused on a systematic analysis of more than 500 proposals submitted by political parties and civil society through digital platforms. A key debate unfolded around defining the identity of the new body, with experts discussing name options ranging from Ұлттық Құрылтай (National Kurultai) to Халық Кеңесі (People’s Council), analyzing the historical continuity and political weight of each term. In parallel, an in-depth review of constitutional articles was conducted, addressing qualification requirements for members of the Parliament, the duration of their mandates, and the architecture of interaction between the future unicameral Parliament and the executive branch.
January 18 – Regulatory Framework for Artificial Intelligence
The entry into force of the Law “On Artificial Intelligence” established the basic rules for the use of AI in the country. The document marked the transition from experimental applications of neural networks to their regulated use in the public sector, business, and the social sphere. Importantly, the law classifies AI technologies by risk level and introduces differentiated approaches to oversight. For example, less sensitive areas are subject to more lenient requirements, while areas related to citizens' rights, personal data, and critical infrastructure are subject to stricter oversight. The law also mandates the labeling of AI-generated content and establishes liability for the use of technologies that violate privacy or mislead individuals. These provisions created a necessary balance between supporting innovation and ensuring personal security in the digital environment.
January 20 – Fifth Session of the National Kurultai
At the session, a reform was presented aimed at creating a unicameral Parliament and transitioning to a simpler system of governance. The Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan and the National Kurultai will be replaced by a single body titled the Kurultai, combining legislative functions with public representation. This reform formally abolishes the Senate and removes the political status of the Assembly, as all 145 members of the new Parliament will be elected exclusively through party lists. In parallel, the institution of the Vice President will be reinstated, vested with the authority to represent the Head of State in Parliament and in the international stage, effectively becoming a key figure in the system of operational governance.
January 21 – Establishment of the Constitutional Commission
During this period, the work of the Constitutional Commission was intensified. Discussions focused on the parameters of potential amendments to the Basic Law, the logic of redistributing powers, and the institutional design of the constitutional reform. The Commission’s work signaled the transition of reforms into the stage of legal elaboration.
January 30 – Publication of the Draft New Constitution
The month concluded with the presentation to the public of a draft updated Constitution, affecting more than 80% of the text of the document. Among the most significant innovations is the establishment of the People’s Council (Halyk Kenesi), endowed with the right of legislative initiative and functions of public oversight. The draft also introduced new rules for the transfer of power, requiring mandatory snap elections in the event of the early departure of the president, and strengthened legal guarantees for citizens through the introduction of mandatory procedural safeguards in cases of detention.
Thus, January 2026 became a period of institutional concretization of political reforms in the Republic of Kazakhstan. The outcomes of the month demonstrate the country’s transition to a new model of statehood, where political renewal is inseparably linked with digital sovereignty. The parliamentary reform through the creation of a unicameral Kurultai and the official launch of the Year of Artificial Intelligence became key elements of a single strategy aimed at increasing the speed and quality of governance in the country.
Below are the key events of the month presented in chronological order.
January 1 – Launch of a New Fiscal Policy
From the beginning of the year, an updated taxation system came into force in the country. The main changes included the introduction of a progressive personal income tax with rates of 10% and 15%, as well as an increase in the value-added tax to 16%. For the financial sector and the gambling industry, an increased corporate income tax rate of 25% was established. These measures are aimed at expanding budget revenues and strengthening fiscal oversight of high-income sectors of the economy.
January 5 – Defining Strategic Priorities
In an extended interview with the Turkistan newspaper, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev presented his vision of the reforms. The Head of State emphasized that Kazakhstan is entering a decisive stage of transformation. Key themes included technological sovereignty, the fight against corruption in the social sector, and the irreversibility of the course toward demonopolization. The interview served as the ideological foundation for the subsequent political innovations of the month.
January 6 – Elevating the AI Agenda to a National Priority
Continuing the outlined course, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed a decree officially declaring 2026 the Year of Digitalization and Artificial Intelligence in Kazakhstan. This decision elevated technological development from a sectoral task to the level of a top state priority. Accordingly, key objectives for the year include the construction of large data centers and the launch of a national supercomputer to advance scientific research. In addition, the decree laid the groundwork for the country’s digital sovereignty, signaling Kazakhstan’s ambition to become the leading technological hub in the region.
January 9–15 – Meetings of the Working Group on Parliamentary Reform
In the first half of the month, the activities of the Working Group moved into the phase of detailed legal design and expert verification. The meetings focused on a systematic analysis of more than 500 proposals submitted by political parties and civil society through digital platforms. A key debate unfolded around defining the identity of the new body, with experts discussing name options ranging from Ұлттық Құрылтай (National Kurultai) to Халық Кеңесі (People’s Council), analyzing the historical continuity and political weight of each term. In parallel, an in-depth review of constitutional articles was conducted, addressing qualification requirements for members of the Parliament, the duration of their mandates, and the architecture of interaction between the future unicameral Parliament and the executive branch.
January 18 – Regulatory Framework for Artificial Intelligence
The entry into force of the Law “On Artificial Intelligence” established the basic rules for the use of AI in the country. The document marked the transition from experimental applications of neural networks to their regulated use in the public sector, business, and the social sphere. Importantly, the law classifies AI technologies by risk level and introduces differentiated approaches to oversight. For example, less sensitive areas are subject to more lenient requirements, while areas related to citizens' rights, personal data, and critical infrastructure are subject to stricter oversight. The law also mandates the labeling of AI-generated content and establishes liability for the use of technologies that violate privacy or mislead individuals. These provisions created a necessary balance between supporting innovation and ensuring personal security in the digital environment.
January 20 – Fifth Session of the National Kurultai
At the session, a reform was presented aimed at creating a unicameral Parliament and transitioning to a simpler system of governance. The Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan and the National Kurultai will be replaced by a single body titled the Kurultai, combining legislative functions with public representation. This reform formally abolishes the Senate and removes the political status of the Assembly, as all 145 members of the new Parliament will be elected exclusively through party lists. In parallel, the institution of the Vice President will be reinstated, vested with the authority to represent the Head of State in Parliament and in the international stage, effectively becoming a key figure in the system of operational governance.
January 21 – Establishment of the Constitutional Commission
During this period, the work of the Constitutional Commission was intensified. Discussions focused on the parameters of potential amendments to the Basic Law, the logic of redistributing powers, and the institutional design of the constitutional reform. The Commission’s work signaled the transition of reforms into the stage of legal elaboration.
January 30 – Publication of the Draft New Constitution
The month concluded with the presentation to the public of a draft updated Constitution, affecting more than 80% of the text of the document. Among the most significant innovations is the establishment of the People’s Council (Halyk Kenesi), endowed with the right of legislative initiative and functions of public oversight. The draft also introduced new rules for the transfer of power, requiring mandatory snap elections in the event of the early departure of the president, and strengthened legal guarantees for citizens through the introduction of mandatory procedural safeguards in cases of detention.
Thus, January 2026 became a period of institutional concretization of political reforms in the Republic of Kazakhstan. The outcomes of the month demonstrate the country’s transition to a new model of statehood, where political renewal is inseparably linked with digital sovereignty. The parliamentary reform through the creation of a unicameral Kurultai and the official launch of the Year of Artificial Intelligence became key elements of a single strategy aimed at increasing the speed and quality of governance in the country.