President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev called for the need for comprehensive reform in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).
President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev called for the need for comprehensive reform in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).
Tokayev spoke at a conference entitled "Kazakhstan and the role of the Middle Powers: Promoting security, stability and sustainable development", which took place during his official visit to Singapore. He noted the special importance of Singapore in his life when he served there as a young diplomat, and said that Kazakhstan has always considered Singapore's model as a model for development.
Tokayev also noted that in January 2024, Kazakhstan entered the list of "Middle Powers" for the first time, published by the Institute of International Relations and Security in Germany. He stressed that changes in the global environment create both important opportunities and serious risks for such "middle powers" as Kazakhstan and Singapore, and added that "the global security architecture is rapidly collapsing, and distrust between the powers is deepening."
Tokayev noted that last year military spending in the world increased to $ 2.2 trillion, which led to a new arms race. He stressed the need to restore versatility, starting with the reform of the UN, and stated the need for comprehensive reform in the UN Security Council in order to strengthen the voice of the middle powers and all developing countries.
Tokayev stressed that the priority of Kazakhstan's foreign policy is to remain open and committed to international obligations. He stated: "We will never give up the protection of our legitimate rights and interests. Sometimes we are criticized for our neutrality. However, neutrality should be distinguished from the absence of a position, it is a conscious choice in favor of diplomacy and dialogue instead of conflict and coercion. This choice is our strength and helps us overcome deep divisions from regional conflicts to ideological contradictions."