An akim (Kazakh: әкім, in Kazakh pronounced as /ækɘm/, әкімдер / äkimder; Kirghiz; Kyrgyz: аким; Russian: аким, pronounced as /ru/) is the head of a local government in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. Akim is derived from the Arabic word Arabic: حاكم| hakim, which means "ruler" or "governor".
In Kazakhstan, an äkim is the head of an äkimdik, a municipal, district, or provincial government (äkimdik), and serves as the Presidential representative.[1] [2] Äkims of provinces and cities are appointed to the post by the President on the advice of the Prime Minister. Meanwhile, the äkims of other administrative and territorial units are appointed or selected to the post in an order defined by the President. He may also dismiss äkims from their posts. Powers of äkims ends with the introduction into the post of new-elected president of the republic. Thus, the äkim continues to fulfill the duties before appointment of corresponding äkim by the President of Kazakhstan.
In Kyrgyzstan, an akim is a head of an akimiat (state regional administration).