Kazakh President addresses General Debate of UN General Assembly’s 80th session

President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev called for the reform of the UN during the 80th session of the UN General Assembly in New York, noting that in a changing world, this has already become a pressing strategic necessity. According to him, the central element of efforts to renew the UN should be the reform of the Security Council. Major powers of Asia, Africa, and Latin America should be represented in the Security Council on a rotational basis. Additionally, the voices of middle powers must also be strengthened within the organization’s main structure. The Head of State also urged to review outdated provisions of the UN Charter.

«The world needs a new consensus based on trust, inclusiveness and shared responsibility. For example, the “enemy state” clauses of the Charter, historical remnants of the Second World War, have already been recognized by the overwhelming majority of the international community as obsolete.  For all these reasons, it is time to have a serious conversation about Charter review,» he said.

Tokayev also called for a relaunch of high-level dialogue among nuclear powers and stepping up efforts to reduce the threat of nuclear weapons use.

«Kazakhstan is ready to host a new dialogue on nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation. We can focus on informal inclusive exchanges that reinforce the NPT (Non-Proliferation Treaty) and support progress toward the CTBT (Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty). We also call to advance our proposal to establish International Agency for Biological Safety and Security,» he noted.

Tokayev underscored the principles of diplomacy instead of escalation and dialogue instead of force when speaking about Ukraine, Gaza, and the Middle East. He stressed that beyond diplomacy, the protection of civilians, humanitarian support, and a two-state solution with the UN playing a central role are also important. An example of a diplomatic resolution is the normalization of relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia, mediated by the US President. It is another clear demonstration that strength lies in stability, cooperation, and development.

«Today, Central Asia is demonstrating a renewed sense of unity and mutual trust. It is emerging as a proactive contributor to international peace and progress. The “Central Asian Five” are strengthening cooperation, proving that regional solidarity can be a powerful force for development and security. This has enabled our region to engage key global partners in the unique “Central Asia Plus” dialogue format,» Tokayev stated.

The Head of State also raised the issue of climate change, proposing that the UN General Assembly adopt a resolution to declare April 22 as the International Day of Greening the Planet. He went on to outline Kazakhstan’s key initiatives in politics, economics, energy, and digitalization. The President noted that improving Kazakhstan’s political system based on transparency, the rule of law, and the protection of citizens’ rights creates favorable conditions for investment and international cooperation.

Web-editor: Арайлым Серқанова