The International Round Table held in Astana on February 28, 2025, focused on projects enhancing Kazakhstan’s justice system, sponsored by Poland, Norway, and the U.S. Important discussions included court administration modernization, judges’ performance evaluations, and judicial education improvements. Notable officials participated, advocating for continued collaboration and dedication to judicial reform efforts in Kazakhstan.
On February 28, 2025, the International Round Table entitled “Improving the Effectiveness of the Justice System in Kazakhstan: Achievements and Initiatives” convened in Astana. This event was part of the extrabudgetary project sponsored by Poland, Norway, and the U.S., in collaboration with Kazakhstan’s judicial authorities. Co-organized by the Supreme Court and Court Administration of Kazakhstan, the round table attracted over 100 participants, including distinguished figures from judiciary, government, international organizations, and academia to explore significant advancements and future strategies in the justice sector.
Attendees included notable officials such as Yerzhan Zhienbayev, Assistant to the President of Kazakhstan on Legal Issues; Aslambek Mergaliyev, Chairperson of the Supreme Court; Elvira Azimova, Chairperson of the Constitutional Court; Dmitry Malakhov, Chairperson of the High Judicial Council; Nail Akhmetzakirov, Head of the Court Administration; and Pamela Harris, President of the International Association for Court Administration. The presence of civil society representatives, members of the Republican Bar Association, and the academic community further enriched the discussions.
The discourse was segmented into key components of the project, specifically court administration modernization, evaluation of judges’ professional performance, and enhancement of judicial education. The first session focused on court administration, where speakers discussed strategies for enhancing system efficiency and human resources in the judiciary. Yuri Fenopetov, Deputy Head of the OSCE Programme Office in Astana, noted, “the joint initiative between the OSCE and the Supreme Court has not only provided continuous support for the modernization of the judicial system but has also established an empirical approach to reform through rigorous sociological surveys that will continue to shape the future of judicial governance in Kazakhstan”.
The second session addressed the evaluation of judges’ performance and the procedural improvements promoting transparency and accountability. The Chairperson of the Justice Quality Commission of the Supreme Court underscored the significance of judges’ surveys conducted under the project, along with the consultants’ recommendations to enhance evaluation processes. Pamela Harris stated, “In court administration, there is no silver bullet, no one-size-fits-all solution. We must be continuously open to learning from each other, adapting, and refining practices in pursuit of better governance and accountability in the judicial system”.
The final discussions centered around improving judicial education, where academics stressed the importance of collaboration among all judicial stakeholders in developing training programs for judges and court officials. Aslambek Mergaliyev asserted, “Judicial reform is not just about updating infrastructure; it is a strategic goal that requires the collective effort of all involved parties. Our aim is to create a system that meets the modern demands of society and guarantees access to justice for all citizens”.
The event highlighted significant accomplishments stemming from the extrabudgetary project, showcasing various reforms and modernization initiatives. However, participants recognized the necessity for continued collaboration and further actions to enhance the effectiveness of Kazakhstan’s justice system. The round table reaffirmed the dedication of all parties involved to advancing judicial reforms and fortifying the rule of law in Kazakhstan.
The International Round Table on February 28, 2025, illustrated the ongoing commitment of various stakeholders to improving the effectiveness of Kazakhstan’s justice system. Through collaborative efforts, significant strides have been made in court administration modernization, evaluating judges’ performance, and enhancing judicial education. Acknowledging both progress and the need for further action, attendees reaffirmed their dedication to judicial reform and strengthening the rule of law in Kazakhstan.
Original Source: www.osce.org
