Kazakhstan sits at the crossroads of global power

By Farah Garayeva
May 31, 2025 15:25 Updated 1d ago
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Reuters

As global tensions rise, Kazakhstan's leadership navigates a delicate geopolitical balance between Russia, China, and the West, aiming to turn its strategic location into a platform for cooperation, reform, and innovation.

Kazakhstan is emerging as a key player in a complex global environment, positioned between powerful neighbours Russia and China, and along critical trade corridors connecting East and West. In an exclusive interview with Al Jazeera, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev addressed the country’s balancing act amid shifting alliances and economic dependencies.

Tokayev acknowledged Kazakhstan’s reliance on hydrocarbon exports and the ongoing challenges posed by the war in Ukraine, including disruptions to traditional transport routes. He reiterated the country’s intent to diversify these routes and deepen its economic cooperation with multiple partners, reflecting a pragmatic approach to foreign policy.

This stance was reinforced during the 2025 China-Central Asia Media Cooperation Forum held in Astana. President Tokayev highlighted Kazakhstan’s dedication to strengthening its strategic partnership with China, particularly in the realm of media collaboration. The forum called for enhanced people-to-people connectivity, information integrity, and regional stability.

Kazakhstan’s international engagement also extended to environmental issues. Zulfiya Suleimenova, Advisor to the President on International Environmental Cooperation, wrote in South China Morning Post that climate challenges such as water scarcity and food security can no longer be addressed in isolation. She stressed the need for global partnerships and multilateral cooperation, citing Kazakhstan’s national commitment to reduce emissions by 15 percent from 1990 levels by 2030, with a conditional target of 25 percent.

Further addressing the international community at the Astana International Forum, Tokayev advocated for a new global order based on dialogue, reform, and innovation. He warned of growing geopolitical instability and announced Kazakhstan’s ambition to become Central Asia’s digital hub with the launch of the region’s most powerful supercomputer.

At the same forum, FAO Director-General QU Dongyu called for increased investment in sustainable agriculture, water security, and cross-border cooperation. He emphasised that Central Asia, with its rich natural resources and strategic location, has the potential to drive transformation not just regionally, but across Eurasia.

Taken together, these developments underscore Kazakhstan’s intent to play a proactive role on the world stage—not as a passive observer, but as a country leveraging its geographic and political position to champion regional cooperation, environmental responsibility, and technological advancement.

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News Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev Central Asia China Russia astana forum climate policy
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