‘We are different, but we are equal’: Tokayev on Kazakhstan’s core values

Tengrinews.kz - Speaking at the 34th session of the Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan (APK), President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev outlined the country’s core values.

The Head of State emphasized that all citizens in Kazakhstan are provided with equal opportunities.

“There has never been discrimination in Kazakhstan based on ethnicity, language, or religion. All citizens are guaranteed equal opportunities. This is true justice – a key principle of a just state.

I would like to reiterate: unity and peace are among our foundational values. This is a fundamental principle of state policy, and we will continue to uphold it. Thanks to this strategy, people of different nationalities live together in friendship and harmony, like children of one family in a common home. This achievement carries deep meaning,” Tokayev said.

The President noted that important values such as patriotism, civic engagement, mutual trust, and a sense of responsibility shape the unique national identity of the Kazakh people.

“All ethnic groups living on Kazakh soil have the opportunity to fully develop their language, culture, and traditions. We have created all the necessary conditions for this. We never tried to imitate anyone or look back at others. At the same time, we successfully applied advanced approaches in interethnic relations and kept pace with the times. As a result, we have built a model of social harmony that has become our unique achievement and an international brand,” Tokayev continued.

The President named the guiding principle of Kazakhstan’s policy.

“At the heart of our interethnic relations and national unity lies the unshakable principle: ‘we are different, but we are equal.’ The state guarantees justice and equal opportunities for all citizens, regardless of their ethnicity, religious beliefs, or social status. This is the core of our policy. We avoid rushed, populist decisions and always base our policies on the real situation. This especially applies to affirming the status of the state language as a language of interethnic communication,” he added.

Earlier, on March 20, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev convened the 34th session of the Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the APK.

What is the APK?

The Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan is a consultative and advisory body that unites representatives of all ethnic groups living in the republic. The 33rd session, titled “Unity. Creation. Progress,” was held in Astana on April 24–25, 2024.

The APK is a key public platform that brings together people of different nationalities, cultures, and traditions around shared Kazakhstani values, said Deputy Chairman of the APK Dmitry Ostankovich earlier.

According to him, the assembly’s role goes beyond preserving cultural heritage — it fosters an atmosphere of mutual respect, civic responsibility, and unity.

This year’s session, he added, will be a starting point for rethinking the APK’s mission, summarizing over 30 years of its work and outlining new directions for development.

The President of Kazakhstan serves as the Chair of the APK.