On Oct. 25, Kazakhstan celebrates Republic Day, a national holiday of particular historical significance for the formation of modern Kazakh statehood. On this day in 1990, the Declaration of State Sovereignty of the Kazakh Soviet Socialist Republic was adopted, marking a major political and legal milestone on the path to independence.
Thirty-six years later, the principles set out in the Declaration – sovereignty, territorial integrity, autonomy and responsibility for the country’s own future – continue to shape Kazakhstan’s strategic development. For Kazakhstan, the date is not only an opportunity to look back at the origins of modern statehood, but also to reflect on the journey so far, assess the results achieved and identify priorities for further development.
At a time of profound change in international relations, accelerating technological advances and growing interdependence among states, a country’s ability to set its own national priorities, modernise its economy consistently and strengthen the confidence of international partners takes on particular importance.
Historical choices and the formation of statehood Adopted on Oct.25, 1990, the Declaration of State Sovereignty was one of the key documents that established the political and legal foundations of Kazakhstan’s future independence. It enshrined the principles of autonomy for the republican authorities, territorial integrity, citizenship, economic independence and the right to conduct independent international relations.
The document thus marked a transition to a new understanding of the state’s responsibility to its people and laid the groundwork for the subsequent formation of the independent Kazakhstan. The proclamation of state independence on Dec.16, 1991 was a natural continuation of this historical process.
The country faced enormous tasks: establishing independent state institutions, creating a national legal system, transitioning to a market economy, building foreign-policy ties and integrating into the international community. These processes unfolded in difficult economic and geopolitical conditions, requiring both strategic vision and the ability to make complex practical decisions.
In the first years of independence, Kazakhstan established the fundamental principles of its statehood: preserving territorial integrity, strengthening interethnic harmony, developing national culture, maintaining domestic stability and pursuing an independent foreign policy.
The multinational character of society became not an obstacle but an important factor in shaping a model of statehood in which civic identity is combined with respect for cultural and linguistic diversity. Building its own system of international relations was of vital importance.
Kazakhstan established diplomatic ties with countries around the world, joined international organisations and treaties, and created a legal framework for trade, economic and humanitarian cooperation. Membership in the United Nations since 1992 confirmed the country’s standing as a full-fledged member of the international community.
From the outset, independence was therefore regarded not merely as a political and legal status, but as a practical opportunity to determine the course of national development independently, protect citizens’ interests and build relations with other states on the basis of mutual respect and equality.