Biography:Nursultan Nazarbayev is a Soviet and Kazakh politicians, known as the first President of Kazakhstan. He served in this role from the country's independence until 2019, when he resigned from the office.
Having led Kazakhstan for nearly three decades, Nazarbayev is one the longest-ruling leaders in the world, with the exception of monarchical regimes.
He came into his leadership position in the newly-formed independent Kazakhstan after having been appointed First Secretary of the Kazakh SSR in 1989.
1991-08-29 Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev signs decree to close Semipalatinsk test site (site of 456 Soviet nuclear tests 1949-89) after protests by Nevada-Semipalatinsk anti-nuclear movement
1991-12-01 Nursultan Nazarbayev sworn in as president of Kazakhstan
2015-04-26 Nursultan Nazarbayev is re-elected President of Kazakhstan with 97.7% of the vote
2019-03-19 Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev announces his resignation after nearly 30 years in office, the last soviet-era head of state
