ASTANA – The United Nations, envisioned as a pillar of global cooperation, has often struggled to rise to the challenges it was created to address. Its inability to bridge cultural divides hampers meaningful solutions to regional issues, while structural weaknesses and the exclusion of diverse regional voices from the Security Council deepen its shortcomings. Compounding these flaws is the frequent deadlock among permanent members, whose competing agendas stifle consensus and action. These inefficiencies cast doubt on the organization’s ability to hear and respond to regional voices, grievances, and expectations in a rapidly changing world.

Amid these persistent challenges within the United Nations, Kazakhstan’s proactive stance on global issues highlights its potential to lead efforts toward fostering peace and addressing critical gaps in international cooperation.

For example, although Kazakhstan prioritizes nuclear energy in its national strategy, it simultaneously remains committed to advocating for the non-proliferation of nuclear and biological weapons. Such an approach, combined with its balanced foreign policy, enables the largest Central Asian nation to seek to position itself as a leading advocate for global peace. But how realistic is that in the current geopolitical climate?

As conflicts and wars continue to rage around the world, leaders from several countries have gathered in Kazakhstan’s capital, Astana, for the Astana International Forum (AIF) to discuss key global challenges ranging from energy security and geopolitical cooperation to international trade and sustainable development. For Kazakhstan’s leadership, the event serves as an ideal opportunity to reaffirm its aspiration to position the country as a middle power. According to the Central Asian state’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, it is middle powers that should be prepared to take on greater multilateral responsibilities.

“We all should strongly remain adherent to the United Nations Charter with no biased and selective approaches to its principles,” Tokayev said on May 29 in calling for the expansion of the United Nations Security Council that, in his view, should include broader regional representation.

This idea was firmly supported by President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova of North Macedonia, who numbered among the major guests in Astana. She argues that small countries, along with middle powers, should be “the greatest advocates of effective multilateralism,” as they stand to gain the most from institutions like the United Nations.

“The Security Council should be expanded, reformed and democratized to make it more accountable and more responsible in maintaining international peace and security,” Siljanovska-Davkova stressed, adding that the international institution “should take its rightful place as a principal representative body, not only for debate and deliberative democracy but also for policymaking.”

The problem, however, is that major global powers, as permanent members of the UN Security Council, are unlikely to voluntarily relinquish their positions within the organization. Small and middle powers will, therefore, undoubtedly have to work hard to achieve their ambitious geopolitical goals. In the meantime, they are expected to continue developing bilateral relations.

“The task before us is clear – to preserve cooperation where it still exists and to restore it where it has broken down. We must widen this cycle of cooperation, the scale of cooperation,” Tokayev said, pointing out that Kazakhstan remains committed to a “stable, integrated and future-oriented Central Asia, one rooted in mutual respect and regional solidarity.”

The presence of leaders from countries such as North Macedonia and Rwanda as major guests at this year’s event in Astana, however, indicates that Kazakhstan’s aspirations extend well beyond Central Asia. Indeed, Rwandan President Paul Kagame underscored the critical role middle powers can play in reforming the UN, stating that “equitable global governance requires that all nations, regardless of size or power, have a meaningful voice in shaping our shared future.”

For Alain Berset, Secretary General of the Council of Europe, the need for regional partnerships in addressing global challenges is also very important. This principle resonates with Kazakhstan’s diplomatic position. Situated between Europe and Asia, the world’s ninth-largest country has spearheaded initiatives such as the Astana Process for Syrian peace talks and the establishment of the Central Asian Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone. By promoting collaboration among regional powers, Astana demonstrates the potential to unite small and middle powers in advocating for meaningful reforms at the UN.

One of Kazakhstan’s major focuses, according to Tokayev, is the growing strain between nuclear-armed states which, in his view, can lead not only to immediate destruction but could trigger global climate disaster.

“We know what this means; we relinquished our inherited nuclear arsenal in the name of peace,” he emphasized.

Ban Ki-moon, the former UN Secretary-General, seems to share Tokayev’s concerns. In his view, the world today may be in a “worse position” than when he left office.

“What concerns me now is that today, leaders are more divided than ever,” the former UN Secretary-General noted, emphasizing that global problems require coordinated responses, and calling for a renewed tripartite partnership between governments, business, and civil society.

The Kazakh leader, on the other hand, sees reforming the core structures of the United Nations as a potential way to prevent global conflicts. Given that the UN is the Astana International Forum’s strategic partner, it is no coincidence that Kazakhstan is aiming to strengthen relations with the organization’s various bodies.

Next year, Kazakhstan plans to host an ecological summit in partnership with the UN, whose Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization, Qu Dongyu, was among the major speakers at the AIF. In his view, with its vast land area of 2.8 million square kilometers, Kazakhstan has the potential to feed a billion people worldwide “through proper management, investment, and the adoption of new technologies.”

Dongyu’s statement aligns with Tokayev’s goal of building a “more diversified, inclusive and future-ready economy where growth is not just sustained but shared.” Whether these ambitions can materialize remains to be seen, especially given that, as he emphasized, Kazakh economic reforms are taking place in a “highly fragile geopolitical environment.”

In spite of that, the Central Asian nation plans to create a pioneering pilot zone called “CryptoCity”, where cryptocurrencies might be used to purchase goods, services, and more. The coming months and years will show whether this project will help stimulate the Kazakh economy by attracting foreign investment, fostering innovation, and diversifying income sources beyond traditional sectors such as oil and gas.

One thing is certain – Kazakhstan is determined to play a more proactive role on the global stage. By championing multilateralism, sustainable development, and peace advocacy, it aims to position itself as a constructive force in a world marked by fragmentation and uncertainty. Thus, the Astana International Forum is not only a symbol of this ambition but a platform through which Kazakhstan is seeking to engage with diverse global actors and shape new paradigms in global diplomacy.

Kazakhstan has the potential to play a significant role in uniting small and middle powers to work towards meaningful reforms within the United Nations. A key player in Central Asia, it holds considerable regional influence supported by its strategic location along the Middle Corridor, which connects China to the West and fosters economic and political links. Kazakhstan’s experience in navigating the complexities of great power relations further enhances its capacity to unite diverse nations around shared goals. These strengths position it well to advocate for reforms that elevate the voices of smaller nations and contribute to a more inclusive and effective global system.

Follow our special coverage on the Astana International Forum here.