Arman Kyrykbayev appointed head of the Ministry of Culture and Information
Tengrinews.kz — Arman Kyrykbayev has been appointed Minister of Culture and Information.
On September 3, the Committee on Socio-Cultural Development of the Kurultai approved Arman Kyrykbayev's candidacy for the position of Minister of Culture and Information.
"Arman Orazbayevich Kyrykbayev is hereby appointed Minister of Culture and Information of the Republic of Kazakhstan and relieved of his previous position," the presidential decree reads.
Arman Kyrykbayev (center). Photo: t.me/quryltairesmi
Notably, Arman Kyrykbayev was previously relieved of his duties as Assistant to the President for Internal Policy and Communications, a role he had held since February 2025.
Kyrykbayev succeeds Aida Balayeva, who previously held the dual role of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Culture and Information.
Arman Kyrykbayev: Biography
Arman Kyrykbayev was born in 1976 in Astana.
In 1996, he graduated from the Kazakh State Academy of Management (Narxoz University) with a degree in Economics. In 2002, he graduated from the Diplomatic Academy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan, specializing in International Relations.
He began his career in 1996 as a desk officer for the CIS and Baltic States Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan.1997–2000: Attaché, Third Secretary at the Embassy of Kazakhstan in Uzbekistan.2002: Second Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.2002–2005: Director of the Strategy and Monitoring Department at AVE Corporation CJSC.2005–2006: Deputy Akim of the Medeu District of Almaty; Director of the State Youth Policy Development Fund of Almaty.2006–2008: Director of the Department of Socio-Political Work and Public Relations at the Ministry of Culture and Information.2008–2010: Chairman of the Culture Committee of the Ministry of Culture and Information.2010–2012: Deputy Akim of the Karaganda Region.2012–2013: Vice Minister of Culture and Information.2014–2015: Advisor to the First Deputy Chairman of the Nur Otan party.2015–2019: Deputy Akim of Almaty.2020–2022: Secretary of the Nur Otan party.2022–2024: Deputy Akim of Almaty.2024–2025: Head of the Communications Department of the Presidential Administration.
On February 24, 2025, he was appointed Assistant to the President for Internal Policy and Communications by presidential decree.
In September 2023, Aida Balayeva was appointed head of the Ministry of Culture and Information and was reappointed to the post in February 2024.
In December 2025, she became Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Culture and Information, retaining leadership of the ministry while being elevated to the status of Deputy PM.
On August 31, 2026, Balayeva was appointed Deputy Chairperson of the Security Council. Due to this transition, she was relieved of her duties as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Culture and Information.