Kazakhstan's president calls for UN reform, broader role for developing nations

Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, in an interview with the American publication The Hill, stressed the urgent need for reform within the United Nations, including a revision of the composition of the Security Council.

He argued that the current structure no longer reflects the true balance of interests in global affairs.

According to Tokayev, expanding representation in the Security Council beyond the current permanent five — the United States, United Kingdom, France, China, and Russia — would enable more effective responses to regional challenges. He emphasized that genuine progress can only be achieved if more countries outside the current permanent membership are involved in decision-making processes.

Tokayev identified several major global risks, including the spread of infectious diseases, the effects of climate change, and the possibility of nuclear weapons use. He expressed concern that existing mechanisms for preventing global catastrophes have proven inadequate.

“The fact that we are still just seconds away from total self-destruction is evidence of the complete failure of our collective measures and a loss of the opportunities afforded to us by years of peace,” Tokayev said.

He noted that Kazakhstan, having suffered deeply from the proliferation of nuclear weapons during the Soviet era, has long been at the forefront of global denuclearisation efforts. While progress has been made in this field, he warned that humanity remains on the brink of existential collapse, underscoring the failure to fully seize the potential of the post-Cold War peace.

Tokayev acknowledged the UN’s important achievements in peacekeeping and humanitarian aid, but said the organisation faces growing criticism, particularly due to the Security Council’s limited powers and frequent deadlocks caused by the veto mechanism.

He also highlighted the continued lack of adequate representation for developing and mid-sized countries — especially those from Asia, Africa, and Latin America — in international decision-making.

“Some argue that the UN is outdated and should be bypassed. But that would be a mistake. Instead, we must modernise the multilateral system itself, making it more responsive to regional priorities and realities,” he said.

He emphasised that a key step would be to expand the role of developing and mid-sized powers in addressing regional problems while maintaining the legitimacy of the UN system. “This will allow countries that understand their regional context and have a vested interest to act effectively, while also reducing the risks of excessively centralised governance,” Tokayev explained.

The president argued that the UN's future lies in a fairer and more flexible multilateral approach, in which regional leaders are entrusted with greater responsibilities.

As an example, he cited the opening of a new UN regional centre for Sustainable Development Goals for Central Asia and Afghanistan in Almaty.

“This centre will serve as a hub for practical solutions focused on climate, water security, and economic integration,” Tokayev said, adding that regions know their needs best and must be heard.

He continued: “The centre brings global goals closer to those for whom they were created — ordinary people. Across the world, the UN should work with regional structures, enabling developing and mid-sized countries to take the lead in addressing issues that matter to them, whether in the Sahel, Southeast Asia, or Latin America. This approach will create a more inclusive, flexible, and effective multilateral system.”

Tokayev concluded by stating that developing and mid-sized countries are often the strongest believers in the ideals of the UN. For them, he said, it remains the only truly universal platform where nations of varying influence can openly engage, seek compromise, and work toward shared solutions.

By Tamilla Hasanova