A new appointment has been made at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Erlan Zhetybayev has been appointed Chair of the Committee of International Information and Official Spokesperson of the MFA of Kazakhstan. He brings extensive experience in diplomacy, public communications and international cooperation, DKNews.kz reports.
Education and early career
Erlan Zhetybayev was born on December 15, 1984, in Karaganda. He graduated from L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University in 2006.
He began his professional career the same year at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan, working as a specialist in the Consular Service Department. This role marked the start of his long-term service within the state and diplomatic system.
Experience in finance and administrative work
In 2009, Zhetybayev worked as an expert at the Ministry of Finance of Kazakhstan, within the Department of Methodology for State Asset Management, Internal Financial Control and Budget Lending.
From 2009 to 2011, he served as Third Secretary at the Department of Administration and Control of the MFA of Kazakhstan, gaining experience in internal coordination and administrative diplomacy.
Diplomatic service abroad
Between 2011 and 2017, Erlan Zhetybayev worked at the Embassy of Kazakhstan in Thailand, where he held the positions of Second and First Secretary. This period significantly strengthened his diplomatic expertise in the Asia-Pacific region.
In 2017, he served as First Secretary of the EXPO-2017 Secretariat of the MFA, and later as First Secretary of the Department of Asia and Africa.
International projects and green initiatives
From 2018 to 2020, Zhetybayev held senior positions at the International Center for Green Technologies and Investment Projects. He served as Head of the Secretariat of the Support Service and as Director of the Department of International Cooperation and Climate Investments, working on international projects related to sustainable development and climate finance.
Leadership in MFA communications
From 2020 to 2023, he worked within the Press Service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as an advisor and later as its head.
Between 2023 and 2025, he served as Deputy Director of the Communications Department of the MFA of Kazakhstan.
From March 2025 until his current appointment, Erlan Zhetybayev held the position of Director of the Communications Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
New role as Official Spokesperson
Erlan Zhetybayev holds the diplomatic rank of Counselor Second Class. He is fluent in English and Turkish.
Observers note that his appointment as Chair of the Committee of International Information and Official Spokesperson reflects the Ministry’s focus on strengthening public diplomacy, transparency and timely communication with both domestic and international audiences.
