Kazakhstan’s first-ever supreme advisory body: President on the Kazakhstan Halyk Kenesi

Tengrinews.kz — The composition of the Kazakhstan Halyk Kenesi (People’s Council of Kazakhstan) will be formed in the second half of September, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said.
The President stressed that this will be the first supreme advisory body of its kind in Kazakhstan’s history.

“The Kazakhstan Halyk Kenesi will be formed in the second half of September. This is the first supreme advisory body in Kazakhstan’s history, which will embody the ethnic, regional, social and sociopolitical diversity of our country. In essence, it is a unique body,” Tokayev said at the opening of the first session of the Kurultai.

This constitutional body will have the right of legislative initiative.

“Thus, within a relatively short period of time, almost all key institutions of government will be renewed, giving powerful momentum to our further reforms,” the President added.

Kazakhstan establishes People’s Council
As a reminder, in January 2026 Kassym-Jomart Tokayev proposed creating the Halyk Kenesi — the People’s Council of Kazakhstan. At the time, it was reported that the new body would replace the Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan and the National Kurultai, with its membership proposed to include representatives of ethnocultural associations, public organizations, maslikhats and regional public councils.
Later, it was proposed that a separate section on the Halyk Kenesi be included in the Constitution. In the draft Basic Law, it was defined as the supreme advisory body representing the interests of the people of Kazakhstan.
On July 2 this year, the President signed a decree “On Certain Issues of the Kazakhstan Halyk Kenesi.”Under the document, a state institution — the Secretariat of the Kazakhstan Halyk Kenesi — was established, and regulations governing the Secretariat and its structure were approved.
The government was instructed to take the necessary measures to implement the decree, while the Presidential Property Management Department, together with the Ministry of Finance, was tasked with providing premises for the leadership of the Kazakhstan Halyk Kenesi and its Secretariat.
How the Halyk Kenesi will be structured
The Halyk Kenesi will have a permanent structure. Its main body will be the session, where key decisions will be made and major issues discussed. A permanent collegial body will operate between sessions.
Permanent and temporary committees are also planned. Organizational and analytical work will be handled by a special Secretariat, which will be established as a separate state body.
Who will be included
The council will include representatives of different sections of society:

ethnocultural associations;public organizations;the nonprofit sector;maslikhats;public councils.

Requirements will be established for Halyk Kenesi members, including experience in public activities.
Term of office
Members of the Halyk Kenesi are proposed to be elected for four years. The chair will also be elected for a four-year term at a session, either upon the President’s nomination or at the initiative of at least one-third of council members.
At the same time, the same person will not be able to serve as chair indefinitely.
What powers will the Halyk Kenesi have
The new body will be able to:

make recommendations on domestic policy;participate in drafting legislation;initiate referendums;organize public discussions and dialogue platforms;participate in public oversight.

At the same time, the minister stressed that the body will perform an advisory function and will not replace existing government institutions.
Right to propose laws and referendums
Earlier, Justice Minister Yerlan Sarsenbayev noted that the council would receive the right of legislative initiative. The body will also be able to propose holding referendums. Higher approval requirements will apply to such decisions, with initiatives needing the support of a majority of council members.
International role
Sarsenbayev also said that the Halyk Kenesi would be responsible for organizing the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions in Astana. According to him, this is consistent with the new body’s role in strengthening dialogue and social harmony.
It should be noted that on June 30, by order of the Head of State, Marat Azilkhanov was relieved of his post as Deputy Chairman of the Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan and Head of the Assembly Secretariat within the Presidential Administration.
As a reminder, the first meeting of Kazakhstan’s newly elected Kurultai was held in Astana under the chairmanship of the Head of State. Immediately after the opening of the first session, the government of Kazakhstan resigned.