Zhengis Qasymbek

Jeñıs Mahmūdūly Qasymbek (, ; born 7 May 1975) is a Kazakh politician who is currently serving as the Äkim of Astana since December 2022.

Early life and education The son of Mahmud Qasymbek, Jenis Qasymbek was born to a Muslim family in the village of Shu. In 1997 he graduated from the Kazakh Leading Academy of Architecture and Civil Engineering as an architectural designer.

In 2001, he graduated from the L. N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University. Shortly after, Qasymbek was appointed as the First Vice Minister for Investment and Development on 13 August 2014. He became its minister on 21 June 2016 and served that position until the Sagintayev Government was dismissed in February 2019.

Following formation of Mamin Government, Qasymbek was appointed as the Deputy Prime Minister of Kazakhstan on 25 February 2019.

He served that post before becoming the akim of Karaganda Region on 19 September 2019.

On 4 September 2023, he became the President of the Athletics Federation of Astana.

Äkim of Astana (2022–present) On 8 December 2022, Qasymbek was appointed as the äkim of Astana under presidential decree by Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, succeeding Altai Kölgınov who previously held the post. Upon his appointment, Qasymbek in his Instagram page expressed his commitment to enhancing Astana's infrastructure, social services, and living conditions, inviting residents to share their ideas for development. He also pledged that Astana would continue the construction of affordable social housing, schools, kindergartens, and medical facilities.

On 13 December 2022, Qasymbek met with President Tokayev to present a report on Astana’s socioeconomic status and infrastructural progress, including updates on key construction projects, advancements in gasification, and support for local businesses. Tokayev instructed him to oversee the heating season efficiently and to maintain momentum on the city’s development.

Astana has faced rapid urban growth and increasing pressure on infrastructure and services. To address these challenges, Qasymbek prioritized the advancement of the Astana Light Metro (LRT) system, committing to complete construction within two to three years despite project financing difficulties.

Urban renewal and green space development have been important focuses under Qasymbek's leadership. By 2024, approximately 140 residential courtyards and 30 public recreational spaces—including parks, boulevards, and pedestrian zones—were renovated or established to enhance community life and urban aesthetics. The administration also launched a large-scale tree planting campaign in 2023, planting over one million trees and shrubs to improve air quality and ecological sustainability.

Education has been another priority, with 24 new Astana schools being constructed under the national "Comfortable School" program to accommodate nearly 90,000 students with modern facilities. Addressing the housing shortage remained urgent, with over 47,000 residents on social housing waiting lists, half of whom are large families.

Economically, Astana attracted investments totaling nearly 978.5 billion tenge in the first seven months of 2023, marking a 9.2% increase over the previous year. This growth has reinforced Astana’s role as a regional economic hub and center for trade, technology, and innovation.

To improve safety and urban management, Qasymbek's administration has expanded video surveillance and traffic monitoring systems citywide, aiming to enhance public safety and optimize traffic flows. Investments have also been made in pedestrian and cyclist infrastructure to promote sustainable, active transportation aligned with global urban development trends.

Awards and honors Qasymbek's awards and honors include: Сountry Date Award — Order of Kurmet2017 Order of Parasat 2001 Medal "10 years of independence of the Republic of Kazakhstan"2008 Medal "10 years of Astana"2018 Medal "20 years of Astana"