Serik Akhmetov
Who was Serik Akhmetov?
Former Prime Minister of Kazakhstan (2012-2014) who also worked as a painter before entering politics and government service.
Biographical data adapted from Wikipedia’s article on Serik Akhmetov (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Biography
Serik Nyghmetuly Akhmetov was born on June 25, 1958, in Temirtau, Kazakhstan, during the Soviet era. Before entering politics, Akhmetov worked as a painter, developing artistic skills that later complemented his public service career. His move from the arts to politics showed the changing opportunities in post-Soviet Kazakhstan, where people with various backgrounds found paths into government service.
Akhmetov's political career got underway in the 2000s when he served as the first deputy akim of Astana, the new capital of Kazakhstan. His administrative skills led to his appointment as Minister of Transport and Communications on September 25, 2006. During this time, he also served as Chairman of the Board of the Atameken National Union of Entrepreneurs and Employers of Kazakhstan, a position he had held since 2005, showing his ties to the business community.
In March 2009, Akhmetov was promoted to Deputy Prime Minister, marking his rise within the national government. He then became akim of Karaganda Region in November 2009, where he managed regional development projects. This experience prepared him for higher national responsibilities, leading to his appointment as First Deputy Prime Minister in January 2012.
Akhmetov reached the peak of his political career when he was appointed Prime Minister of Kazakhstan on September 24, 2012, following the resignation of Karim Massimov. He served as Prime Minister until 2014, during which he implemented various economic and administrative policies. After this, he briefly served as Minister of Defense from April to October 2014. However, his career took a dramatic turn in November 2014 when he was arrested on charges related to crimes allegedly committed during his time as akim of Karaganda Region. He was convicted in December 2015 and remained in prison until his release in September 2017.
Throughout his career, Akhmetov received several state honors for his contributions to Kazakhstan, including the Order of Kurmet, Order of Parasat, Medal '10 years of Astana,' and medal 'for 20 years of Kazakhstan's independence.' These awards recognized his important role in the country's political and economic development in the early decades of independence.
Before Fame
Akhmetov grew up in Temirtau, an industrial city in Kazakhstan, where he experienced the Soviet education and career development system. Initially, he pursued painting—a less common path for someone who would eventually enter politics—showing a creative side that set him apart from the typical leaders of his generation.
When the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991 and Kazakhstan became independent, new opportunities arose for people to switch careers. Akhmetov's shift from the arts to politics and economics showed the flexible career paths available in the newly independent country, where adaptability and a mix of skills were valuable for those looking for roles in the new government and business world.
Key Achievements
- Served as Prime Minister of Kazakhstan from 2012 to 2014
- Led the Atameken National Union of Entrepreneurs and Employers since 2005
- Held multiple ministerial positions including Transport and Communications, and Defense
- Received four major state honors including Orders of Kurmet and Parasat
- Oversaw regional development as akim of Karaganda Region
Did You Know?
- 01.He maintained his position as Chairman of the Atameken National Union of Entrepreneurs while serving in various government roles
- 02.His artistic background as a painter made him unusual among Kazakhstan's political elite, most of whom came from technical or economic fields
- 03.He served as both Prime Minister and Minister of Defense in the same year (2014)
- 04.His time as akim of Karaganda Region, his birth region, later became the source of criminal charges that ended his political career
- 05.He was released from prison in September 2017 after serving nearly three years following his conviction
Awards & Honors
| Award | Year | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Order of Kurmet | — | — |
| Order of Parasat | — | — |
| Medal "10 years of Astana" | — | — |
| medal "for 20 years of Kazakhstan's independence" | — | — |