Kazakhstan's new Civic Council targets corruption with digital reforms and oversight

Kazakhstan's Anti-Corruption Agency has launched its first Civic Council meeting in Astana. The new body will advise on civil service reforms and anti-corruption measures. Its members include parliamentarians, legal experts, scholars, and media representatives. The council's role covers advisory, consultative, and oversight duties. It will work alongside the Agency for Civil Service Affairs and Anti-Corruption (ADGSA) to improve public service efficiency and tackle corruption. Chair Darkhan Zhyzykbayev highlighted the importance of the 'Listening State' approach in shaping policies.

During the meeting, Zhyzykbayev presented ongoing and planned projects. These include upgrades to the 'E-Qyzmet' digital system, which streamlines civil service recruitment. Introduced in 2018, the platform has cut paperwork by 70% and reduced hiring times from months to weeks. Transparency has also improved, with online application tracking and open competition portals. Complaints related to recruitment have fallen by 40%. A new remote monitoring system has been rolled out to protect the rights of service users. Additionally, top graduates from state-funded programmes can now secure direct appointments. Parliament is currently reviewing draft laws on civil service reforms and corruption prevention.

The Civic Council and ADGSA will collaborate to strengthen public administration. The upgraded 'E-Qyzmet' system and new monitoring tools aim to enhance efficiency and reduce corruption. Further legislative changes are expected as the draft laws progress through parliament.