Kazakhstan seeks to assumed a pivotal role in the readjustment of the international system's power distribution.
President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev addressed the attendees of the Astana International Forum (AIF), advocating for Kazakhstan's role as a champion for a revised international order that empowers middle powers to have a more significant influence in global affairs.
In his inaugural speech at the forum held on May 29-30, Tokayev expressed support for a global order centered on multilateralism. He underscored the existence of escalating global challenges, such as climate change, that require a unified, collaborative response. However, he noted that responses to these threats have become increasingly fragmented, highlighting the decay of the current global order. This, he argued, leaves countries faced with a choice between inclusive progress and destructive fragmentation.
To reinstate the principle of "constructive engagement," Tokayev proposed structural reform of the United Nations. His vision for the organization entails a broader representation of middle powers within policy debates, achieved by expanding the Security Council.
Speaking fluent English without directly mentioning recognizable global powers such as the United States, European Union, Russia, and China, Tokayev emphasized the need for these middle powers to bear an equitable stake in shaping the new, inclusive order. In return for increased influence in policy debates, he suggested that middle powers should assume more multilateral responsibilities.
Tokayev underscored Kazakhstan's desire to lead this transformation. "We are entering a new phase of global development," he said, asserting that Kazakhstan is prepared to contribute to this shift by facilitating dialogue, fostering consensus, and acting as a trusted partner across regions and cultures.
Initiated in 2023, the Astana International Forum serves as a critical step in Kazakhstan's aspirations of becoming a middle power with diplomatic and economic sway over regional and occasionally global affairs. According to Deputy Foreign Minister Roman Vassilenko, the forum responds to Kazakhstan's increased strategic engagement in international relations.
Over time, Kazakh officials aim to position the AIF as the primary middle-power platform for public policy discussions. Tokayev described the forum as a platform that promotes mutual respect and open exchange, designed to foster cooperation and support outcomes that will depend on the efforts of many rather than the proclamations of a few.
Tokayev, during his speech at the Astana International Forum, advocated for a global order that values the input of middle powers, stating, "We must strive for a new inclusive order where middle powers play a significant role in shaping policy-and-legislation." He further emphasized the importance of this roles, claiming, "In this new order, culture and general-news will be impacted as middle powers, with their diverse perspectives, bring fresh ideas and collaborative solutions to the table."
