LONDON (Raza Syed)— President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has appointed seasoned diplomat Alibek Bakayev as the new Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, reinforcing Astana’s commitment to deepening strategic ties with one of its most important European partners.
The appointment, made by presidential decree, comes at a pivotal moment in Kazakhstan–UK relations as both countries seek to expand cooperation in trade, investment, energy security, critical minerals, education, climate initiatives and regional diplomacy.
Bakayev, who has served as Kazakhstan’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs since August 2023, brings more than two decades of diplomatic and government experience to London. His appointment is widely viewed as a reflection of Kazakhstan’s intention to further strengthen political dialogue and economic engagement with the United Kingdom while advancing the country’s broader foreign policy priorities in Europe.
As Kazakhstan’s top envoy in London, Bakayev will be tasked with promoting bilateral cooperation across a wide spectrum of areas, including political and parliamentary relations, investment, commerce, finance, science and technology, higher education, cultural diplomacy and people-to-people exchanges. He is also expected to work closely with British government institutions, business leaders and international organisations to enhance cooperation on regional and global issues.
Kazakhstan and the United Kingdom have steadily expanded their partnership since establishing diplomatic relations in 1992. The UK remains among Kazakhstan’s leading foreign investors, with British companies playing a significant role in sectors including energy, mining, financial services, infrastructure and professional services. In recent years, cooperation has broadened to encompass renewable energy, green technologies, critical raw materials, digital innovation, education and sustainable development.
The appointment also comes as Kazakhstan continues to pursue President Tokayev’s ambitious programme of political and economic reforms while strengthening engagement with European partners amid a rapidly evolving geopolitical landscape.
He is expected to assume his duties as ambassador during the first week of August.
Distinguished Diplomatic Career
Born in Almaty in 1981, Alibek Bakayev has built a distinguished diplomatic career spanning more than twenty years.
He graduated with honours from the Kazakh Abylai Khan University of International Relations and World Languages in 2002, earning a degree as a simultaneous interpreter. He also pursued studies at Ruprecht Karl University of Heidelberg in Germany, later graduating from the Academy of Public Administration under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan with a degree in political science. In 2011, he further enhanced his professional qualifications through studies at Duke University in the United States.
Before joing the diplomatic service, Bakayev worked in the private sector between 2002 and 2003, serving first as Chief Specialist at SK TransOil before becoming Commercial Director of the Zamandastar company.
He joined Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 2004, beginning his diplomatic career in the Department of Europe and America before serving as Attaché and later Third Secretary at Kazakhstan’s Embassy in Germany. These early assignments provided him with valuable experience in European diplomacy and bilateral relations.
Between 2008 and 2009, Bakayev served as Adviser on International Affairs and Chief of Protocol at the Ministry of Economy and Budget Planning, where he contributed to Kazakhstan’s international economic engagement.
From 2009 to 2012, he led international cooperation within the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade, serving as Director of the Department of International Relations as well as the Department of Strategic Planning and Analysis.
His diplomatic responsibilities expanded considerably between 2012 and 2019, when he held a series of senior positions within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, culminating in his appointment as Director of the Department of Pan-Asian Cooperation. During this period, he played an important role in shaping Kazakhstan’s engagement with Asian partners and advancing the country’s multivector foreign policy.
In 2019, Bakayev was appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Swiss Confederation, while concurrently serving as Kazakhstan’s ambassador to the Principality of Liechtenstein, the Holy See (Vatican City State) and the Sovereign Military Order of Malta.
His diplomatic portfolio expanded further in 2022, when he became Kazakhstan’s Ambassador to Austria and Permanent Representative to the International Organizations in Vienna, while also serving concurrently as ambassador to Slovenia. In Vienna, he represented Kazakhstan at major international organisations, including agencies dealing with nuclear security, international law and multilateral diplomacy.
Following his appointment as Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs in August 2023, Bakayev played an important role in implementing Kazakhstan’s foreign policy agenda, strengthening bilateral partnerships and representing the country in high-level international engagements.
He holds the diplomatic rank of Envoy Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Second Class, and is fluent in English and German, skills that have supported his extensive diplomatic assignments across Europe and within multilateral institutions.
Strengthening Kazakhstan–UK Relations
Bakayev’s appointment is expected to inject fresh momentum into Kazakhstan’s expanding relationship with the United Kingdom. In recent years, London and Astana have intensified cooperation in strategic sectors including clean energy, critical minerals, financial services, education, technology and climate resilience, while maintaining regular high-level political dialogue.
As Kazakhstan continues to position itself as a key political and economic partner between Europe and Central Asia, the new ambassador is expected to play a central role in advancing bilateral initiatives, attracting British investment and promoting closer cooperation on regional stability, economic diversification and sustainable development.
His extensive diplomatic experience across Europe, combined with his expertise in international economic cooperation and multilateral affairs, positions him well to further strengthen one of Kazakhstan’s most significant strategic partnerships in the region.
