Ermek Marjyqpaev

Ermek Boranbaiuly Marjyqpaev (; born 29 August 1969) is a Kazakh politician who served as Minister of Tourism and Sports from 2023 to 2024. He previously was the akim of Akmola Region from 2019 to 2023 and akim of Kokshetau from 2015 to 2019. Since September 2024, Marjyqpaev has served as advisor to the prime minister of Kazakhstan.

Biography Marjyqpaev was born on 29 August 1969 in Tselinograd (now Astana). From 1988 to 1989, Marjyqpaev served in the Soviet Army. He graduated from the Tselinograd Pedagogical Institute in 1994 with a degree in history education, from Turan University in 2001 with a law degree, and from Kokshetau State University in 2009 with a bachelor's degree in finance. He received a PhD in 2016.

Marjyqpaev held the position of vice-president of the Akmola Boxing Federation and has the title of Master of Sports in boxing. From 1991 to 1993, he worked as a boxing coach in schools in Tselinograd and later studied at a secondary school in Burabay, Akmola Region. serving until 2019. On 19 March 2019, he was appointed akim of Akmola Region. During his tenure, at the meeting of the Akmola regional branch of the Amanat party, which took place in April 2022 and was attended by Marjyqpaev, it became known that 96% of the promises made in the party's election program were fulfilled with Marjyqpaev being instrumental in increasing this achievement.

On 2 September 2023, Marjyqpaev was appointed Minister of Tourism and Sports with the consent of the Mäjilis and by decree of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.

In April 2024, Marjyqpaev admitted that Kazakhstan's national team at the 2024 Summer Olympics was in a bad position.

On 31 August 2024, by Tokayev's decree, Marjyqpaev lost the post of Minister of Tourism and Sports.

Criticism As an akim of Akmola Region, Marjyqpaev allocated 10 million tenge for measures described as a "fight against trolls," which drew criticism for being an inefficient use of public funds.

Awards Order of Parasat (2021) Order of Kurmet (2011) Medal for Distinguished Labor (2004) Honored Worker of Tourism of the Republic of Kazakhstan (2007) Master of Sports in Boxing Honored Coach of the Republic of Kazakhstan

State Anniversary Medals Medal "10 Years of Independence of the Republic of Kazakhstan" (2001) Medal "10 Years of the Constitution of the Republic of Kazakhstan" (2005) Medal "10 Years of Astana" (2008) Medal "20 Years of Independence of the Republic of Kazakhstan" (2011) Medal "25 Years of Independence of the Republic of Kazakhstan" (2016)