Tokayev participates in panel session of Antalya Diplomacy Forum
The position of the permanent members of the UN Security Council is one of the main causes of the crisis within the United Nations, meaning that reform of the Organization must begin there. This was stated today by Kassym-Jomart Tokayev during a panel session at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, reports «24KZ».
According to the President, strengthening the role of «middle powers» and opening the way for effective diplomacy are essential for ensuring global peace. It is worth noting that the Kazakh leader was personally invited to Antalya by Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
Guldana Kalen, correspondent:
- 510 million square kilometers. The world may seem enormous, immovable, and incredibly strong. But in reality, it is an interconnected and extremely fragile mechanism. Even the slightest disruption in one point — whether logistical breakdowns or trade barriers — creates repercussions across the entire planet.
Today, it is no longer enough to simply react to events. The times demand that we design the future — foresee risks in advance and turn them into new opportunities. That is the central message of this forum.
Antalya has gathered the full spectrum of global politics: heads of state, ministers, business leaders, and experts from around the world. In this informal atmosphere, diplomacy begins even before the official speeches.
While delegations build bridges in the corridors, media attention is focused on the main entrance. Among the first to arrive is Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. The Head of State is attending at the personal invitation of the Turkish President. Kazakhstan’s prominent role at the forum is no coincidence. Amid growing global tensions, Astana continues to maintain its status as a predictable and reliable partner.
This position is rooted in the UN Charter and international law. However, when speaking about the future of the United Nations itself, Tokayev was particularly candid.
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, President of the Republic of Kazakhstan:
- Of course, the United Nations is an indispensable and universal organization, and every state bears a certain responsibility. Everyone speaks about the need to support the UN — that is a fact. But everyone also says that the Organization must not only be supported, but reformed.
The world, the President noted, has entered a phase of «endless crossroads». Regional conflicts have long since become global in nature.
Speaking about the situation in the Middle East, Tokayev urged participants to focus on the root causes of the problem — nuclear security and strategic restraint. While the world debates trade routes through the Strait of Hormuz, it is the international diplomatic system itself that is failing.
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, President of the Republic of Kazakhstan:
- We speak about regional and global conflicts, yet at the same time all major negotiations take place outside the UN platform and other major international institutions. People meet in certain capitals, in separate conference rooms, but not within the walls of the UN. We do not see senior UN representatives acting as mediators in these conflicts. This is a serious problem.
Tokayev believes the time has come to move beyond endless discussions. While major powers often argue among themselves and block important decisions, so-called “middle powers” are increasingly taking responsibility. The President includes both Kazakhstan and Türkiye in this category.
His message was direct: today, these countries are doing more for peace than those who have spent years unable to reach agreement within the UN Security Council.
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, President of the Republic of Kazakhstan:
- Of course, I am not claiming that we are the best in the world. But we demonstrate a high level of responsibility regarding global processes — both in practice and in diplomacy. Therefore, it would not be an exaggeration to say that today ‘middle powers’ often show greater responsibility than major powers represented in the Security Council.
Other forum participants shared this view. Representatives from Iraq noted that Kazakhstan is one of the few states today capable of building strong relations with many countries simultaneously. This multi-vector and pragmatic foreign policy allows Astana to propose solutions that genuinely work.
Ifran Ali Ablullaziz, representative of the Iraqi delegation:
- Kazakhstan is a major state that has built strong relations with many countries, including powers such as Russia, China, and the United States. The country has strong statehood and a strong army. Judging by its current policy, Kazakhstan’s role in global processes will only continue to grow.
Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova, President of North Macedonia:
- Mr. Tokayev mentioned both preventive and proactive diplomacy. This is exactly what we lack today — a rational model for political decision-making.
The opinion of the Kazakh leader carries weight not only because of Kazakhstan’s policies, but also because of his personal experience. Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu recalled that Tokayev’s work in senior UN positions has given him an insider’s understanding of the weaknesses within the international system.
Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, member of the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye:
- Kassym-Jomart Tokayev is one of the most experienced leaders in the world. His contribution to the development of Kazakhstan and to the international system is of enormous importance.
The forum’s main message was clear: the time for passive ожидания has passed. To prevent the fragile mechanism described at the beginning from collapsing completely, countries willing to take responsibility must show political will. After all, designing the future means not simply observing change, but actively participating in shaping it.