Tokayev and Guterres Discuss UN Reform and Open Regional Center in Almaty

President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev met with United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, who arrived in Kazakhstan on August 2 for a working visit. The meeting underscored growing cooperation between Kazakhstan and the UN, with a particular focus on multilateral reform, regional stability, and sustainable development.

Welcoming Guterres in Astana, President Tokayev expressed appreciation for the visit, highlighting its significance ahead of the upcoming 80th session of the UN General Assembly. He emphasized that the opening of the first UN Regional Center for Sustainable Development Goals in Central Asia, located in Almaty, marks a major milestone for the region.

“Kazakhstan fully supports your efforts to reform the United Nations and shares your priorities. In this regard, I once again reaffirm Kazakhstan’s unwavering commitment to the core principles of multilateralism, diplomacy and cooperation that underpin the UN’s work,” Tokayev said.

Guterres, in turn, thanked Tokayev for the warm welcome and praised Kazakhstan’s historic decision to voluntarily renounce its nuclear arsenal. “You are showing the world that dialogue between religions and cultures is possible,” he noted.

During the Astana talks, the two leaders discussed the future role of the new UN Regional Center in Central Asia and Afghanistan, as well as broader UN reforms and key global and regional issues. In Almaty, Tokayev and Guterres visited the center and participated in a signing ceremony between the UN and the Government of Kazakhstan formalizing its establishment.

This visit marks António Guterres’ third to Kazakhstan during his tenure as Secretary General. His first trip came in 2016 shortly after assuming office, followed by a second in July 2024 when he attended the SCO Plus summit and held a series of bilateral meetings. According to political analysts, the UN’s sustained engagement with Kazakhstan is no coincidence. Despite growing geopolitical instability, Kazakhstan continues to see the UN as an irreplaceable multilateral institution responsible for global peace and security.

President Tokayev has recently renewed calls for reforming the UN system. In an article published in The Hill to mark the organization's 80th anniversary, he outlined a vision for modernizing multilateral governance and expanding the role of developing nations in global decision making.

While recognizing the UN’s major achievements including over 70 peacekeeping missions, humanitarian relief efforts and conflict stabilization, Tokayev also pointed to significant challenges. He noted limitations in the UN’s enforcement capacity, the frequent paralysis of the Security Council due to veto powers, and the lack of representation for countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America.

“Some argue that the UN is outdated and irrelevant in a multipolar world. But that would be a mistake,” Tokayev wrote. Instead, he advocated for upgrading multilateralism by empowering developing and middle power countries to play a greater role in addressing regional issues under the UN’s mandate.

As an example of this approach, Tokayev cited the establishment of the UN Regional Center in Almaty, approved by the UN General Assembly in March 2025. “The Center will bring the Sustainable Development Goals closer to those they are meant to serve, turning global ambitions into tangible local outcomes,” he wrote.

He also emphasized that the model of cooperation between the UN and regional institutions could be replicated in other parts of the world including the Sahel, Southeast Asia and Latin America. Such a model, Tokayev believes, would result in a more inclusive, adaptive and effective multilateral system.

“It is often the developing and middle income countries that most deeply believe in the mission of the United Nations. They see it as the only universal platform where all nations, large and small, can speak, negotiate and reach consensus,” the president noted.

Central to Tokayev’s reform proposal is a revamp of the Security Council structure, which he believes should allow broader participation beyond the current permanent five members, China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States. According to him, only such a transformation would enable the UN to effectively respond to today’s complex global challenges.

President Tokayev also expressed support for the UN80 initiative launched by Secretary General Guterres. The initiative aims to reform the UN’s mandates, increase its responsiveness and adapt the organization to contemporary global realities.

“If we can make the UN more representative, more regionally responsive and more results oriented, the organization will be better equipped to meet the challenges of the 21st century, from climate change and food security to conflict prevention and technological regulation,” Tokayev concluded.

Kazakhstan’s strategic vision and growing role in multilateral diplomacy underline its commitment to international peace and cooperation. By positioning itself as both a regional hub and a constructive global actor, the country continues to advance a reformist agenda that aims to make international institutions more representative and effective for all.

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