MINISTERS OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

OF INDEPENDENT KAZAKHSTAN

Ms. Akmaral  Kh. Arystanbekova

            Ms. Arystanbekova was born in 1948 in Almaty. In 1971 she graduated with honors from the Kazakh State University and was a member of the faculty from 1975 to 1978. In 1975 she received PhD in chemistry from that university.In 1978 – 1983 she worked in the republican youth organization.From 1983 to 1989 Ms Arystanbekova served as Deputy Chairperson and Chairperson of the Kazakh Society for Friendship and Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries.From November 1989 to December 1991 Ms. Arystanbekova served as Minister for Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan. In December 1991 she was assigned to New York to make preparations for Kazakhstan’s entry to the United Nations which took place on 2 March 1992. At that time she worked in the Permanent Mission of the USSR, later the Russian Federation as Senior counsellor. From April 1992 to October 1999.

            Ms. Arystanbekova served as the first Permanent Representative of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the United Nations.In 1996–1999 she also was Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Kazakhstan to Cuba ( non-resident). In 1999 – 2003 she worked as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Kazakhstan to France and Permanent Delegate to the UNESCO (1999 – 2001). Since 2003 she is Ambassador at Large of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Ms. Arystanbekova holds a diplomatic rank of Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Kazakhstan since 1993. She holds a doctorate in world history and is fluent in English and French. She is the author of four books dealing with international relations, world politics and the UN activities, and has written about 50 scholarly papers, many of which has been published in different languages in foreign publications. Decorations: Order “Kurmet” (Respect) in 1996, four medals. She has a title “The Honored person of the diplomatic service of the Republic of Kazakhstan”.

Suleimenov Tuleutai Skakovich

            Was born in 1941, has graduated Polytechnic University of Karagandy, Diplomatic Academy of USSR. Knows Persian, Dari and English languages. He has been given a rank of Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary.After graduation of university had been working as the master of fabric, as the secretary of the Komsomol Committee at the Karagandy steel factory.1971-1977 – First secretary of Temirtau mayor committee, Chairman of mayor committee of public control, Second secretary of Temirtau city committeeAfter graduation of the Diplomatic Academy of MFA USSR worked as a first secretary of MFA USSR, Consul of the General Consulate in Mazari-Sharif (Afghanistan), Advisor of the MFA USSR, Advisor of USSR in the Islamic Republic of Iran.

            1999-1994 – Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan. 1994-1996 – Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Kazakhstan in USA. 1996-2001 – Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Kazakhstan in Hungary. In 2001 was appointed as an Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Kazakhstan in Kingdom of Belgium.

Kanat Bekmurzaevich Saudabayev

            Kanat Saudabayev was born in 1946 in the Almaty region.  He graduated from the Leningrad State Institute of Culture named after Nadezhda Krupskaia and the Academy of Social Sciences in Moscow.

Kanat Saudabayev started his career as a director at the Kazakh Academic Theater named after Mukhtar Auezov. Then Mister Saudabayev worked in the area of culture at different top positions including posts of head of department of the Ministerial Council of the Kazakh SSR, Vice Minister of Culture, Chairman of the State Committee for cinematography, Chairman of the State Committee for Culture – Minister. In 1991, Kanat Saudabayev transferred to diplomatic service and became the first Plenipotentiary Representative of the Kazakh SSR to the USSR. In 1992, Kanat Saudabayev was first appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the Republic of Turkey. In 1994, he served as Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan. In 1994-1996, he served as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the Republic of Turkey.

From 1996 to 1999, Kanat Saudabayev served as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, with concurrent accreditation to Norway, Sweden and Ireland.

In 1999-2000, he worked as Head of Prime Minister’s Chancellery – member of the Government.

From 2000 to 2007, Kanat Saudabayev served as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the United States of America.

In May 2007, Kanat Saudabayev was appointed Secretary of State of the Republic of Kazakhstan. On 4 September 2009, Kanat Saudabayev was appointed Secretary of State of the Republic of Kazakhstan – Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

He has diplomatic rank - Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador.

Foreign languages - English, German and Turkish. He holds the degree of candidate of philosophical sciences from the Kazakh State University (1981) and degree of doctor of political sciences from the Moscow State University. Kanat Saudabayev was decorated with the Orders of Otan and Kurmet. He is married with three children and four grandchildren.

Kasim-Zhomart Kemelevich Tokaev

            Born on May 17, 1953, Kazakh. High education. Graduated from the Moscow State Institute of International Relations, Beijing Linguistic Institute (PRC), Diplomatic Academy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, Foreign Affairs Expert. Doctor of political sciences. Knows English, Chinese and French languages. Diplomatic rank – Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador. Worked in the specialty in the central apparatus of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of USSR, foreign missions. Since March 1992 – Deputy, First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Since October 1994 – Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

            Since March 1999 – Deputy Prime-Minister – Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Since October 1999 to January 2002 – Prime-Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Since January 2002 to June 2003 – State Secretary – Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Since June 2003 to January 2007 – Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Since January 2007 – Deputy of the Senate of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan (appointed by Decree of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan),  Chairman of the Senate of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan of the third convocation. Decorated with the orders “Parasat”,”First President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev”, four medals. Author of six books and numerous articles on international relations, published in Kazakhstan and abroad.

Erlan Abilfaizovich Idrissov

            Born on April 28, 1959, graduated from the Moscow State Institute of International Relations, international economic relations, Diplomatic Academy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of USSR, history of foreign politics and international relations. Knows English, Hindi, Urdu, French languages. Since July 1992 Erlan Idrisov has been on diplomatic service – I Secretary of Permanent Mission of the Republic of Kazakhstan to UN, Head of the Department of America of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Ambassador-at-large of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan, President’s Assistant of the Republic of Kazakhstan, First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan, First Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs.

            Since July 2007 – Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the United States of America with concurrent accreditation to the Federal Republic of Brazil. Decorated with the order “Kurmet”, jubilee medal “10 years of Independence of the Republic of Kazakhstan”, medal “Astana”, jubilee medal “10 years of the Constitution of Kazakhstan”, 10 years of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan”. Diplomatic rank – Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador”.

Marat Muhanbetuly Tazhin

            Born in 1960 in Aktubinsk. Graduated from Almaty National Economy Institute, post graduate study at Kazakh State University. Worked as an Engineer - Economist of the Council on industrial resources of Science Academy, Senior Lecturer at Kazakh State University. 1987 – 1988, internship in London University, Great Britain. 1991 – 1992, Head of Department at the Advanced Vocational Training of Lecturers Institute, named after Al-Farabi. Since 1992 held various positions in Presidential Apparatus and Cabinet Ministers: First Deputy Head, Head of Internal Policy Department, Deputy Head of the Presidential Apparutus, Head of the Information and Analytical Center. 1994 – 1995, State Adviser to the President. 1995 – 1999, Deputy Head of the Presidential Administration, Head of the Analysis and Strategic Researches Center of the Administration of the President.

            1999 – 2001, Assistant to the President on national security issues – Secretary of the Security Council of Kazakhstan. 2000, appointed Chairman of the State Anti-corruption Commission. 2001, appointed Head of the National Security Committee. 2002, appointed Assistant to the President on national security issues – Secretary of the Security Council of Kazakhstan. August 2002 – April 2006, First Deputy Head of the Presidential Administration. April 2006, Secretary of the Security Council and Aid to the President. January 2007, appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Diplomatic rank – Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador.He has received the Orders of Kurmet and Barys.