About the CST

Sergey Konovalov

Sergey Konovalov is a political analyst, sociologist, and policy expert with experience in government, diplomacy, and political research. Currently the Director of the Institute of Contemporary Politics, he leads initiatives on governance, public trust, and democracy. Previously, he served in Kazakhstan’s Embassies in Ukraine and Poland (2020–2023), where he played a key role in bilateral relations and humanitarian efforts, including the evacuation of Kazakh citizens during the war. Before that, he spent nearly two decades in Kazakhstan’s Presidential Administration (2002–2020), contributing to national security, policy development, and governance reforms. He also served as Deputy Minister of Social Development (2018–2019), helping advance the UN SDG-2030 Agenda and shaping state think tanks, youth policies, and NGO networks. He holds a Doctorate in Sociology from L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University and the State Pedagogical University of Semey. Passionate about Kazakhstan’s democratic development, he continues to engage in policy discussions, research, and international collaboration.