Zhanseit Tuimebayev, Chairman of the Board and President, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, on Kazakhstan’s foreign policy priorities, their balanced nature enabling the country to participate effectively in addressing regional and global issues.
Text by Zhanseit Tuimebayev
At the beginning of the year, the well-known SWP German think tank, which specializes in international relations and security issues, named Kazakhstan among twelve middle powers. The findings were published on the European news platform Euractiv. In addition to Kazakhstan, the list includes Turkey, Saudi Arabia, India, Israel, Mexico, Brazil, Egypt, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Kenya, and South Africa. In compiling this list of self-sufficient countries, the experts evaluated their economic growth, regional security and stability, and their capacity for pursuing strategic development independently.
Kazakhstan was recognized for “its balanced foreign policy, position as a key player in Central Asia, abundant natural resources, and critical role in the Middle Corridor”. SWP aptly summarized President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s multi-dimensional foreign policy as: “Doing one thing without retreating from the other.” This concise expression captures the essence of the Kazakh leader’s political and economic strategy.
Kazakhstan’s status as a leading post-Soviet republic in attracting foreign direct investment is no coincidence. Its recognition as a middle power is closely linked to its openness to foreign investment. In his address at the 46th Singapore Lecture, called Kazakhstan and Role of the Middle Powers: Fostering, Security, Stability, and Sustainable Development, President Tokayev outlined his vision for the role of middle powers in promoting global peace, stability, and sustainability. He also articulated Kazakhstan’s key foreign policy priorities as a middle power.
The President has consistently emphasized the rising importance of BRICS, which is increasingly seen as a global centre of economic opportunity. This growing interest in BRICS stems from its potential for mutually beneficial cooperation. “BRICS has tremendous development potential and unites countries from different continents, reinforcing solidarity and effectively utilizing collective capabilities for the common good. It possesses the resources and experience to build a future rooted in shared prosperity, mutual respect, and partnership,” said President Tokayev at the BRICS plenary session in Kazan last October. “The principles of diplomacy and dialogue enshrined in the UN Charter form the basis of the BRICS agenda, promoting peaceful conflict resolution and strategic stability. We highly value Russia’s concept of equal and indivisible security in Eurasia, aimed at easing geopolitical tensions through mutual trust and cooperation. Kazakhstan also supports China’s Global Security Initiative, which advocates international stability, respect for sovereignty, multilateralism, and peaceful conflict resolution.”
In his speech, President Tokayev also highlighted the need to consolidate cooperation in transit and transportation within the frameworks of the Belt and Road Initiative, the North-South International Transport Corridor, and the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route. He noted that, in 2023, Kazakhstan’s trade with BRICS countries accounted for half the nation’s total foreign trade turnover.
The previous year, while participating via videoconference in the 15th BRICS Summit in Johannesburg as acting Chair of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), the President shared his vision for future interregional cooperation.
The growing relevance of the SCO is widely recognized as an organization bringing together rapidly developing economies with vast human capital, natural resources, and technological capacity. As a founding member, Kazakhstan plans to use its chairmanship to make the SCO a more effective organization, equipped to address today’s challenges. President Tokayev claimed that “over more than two decades, the SCO has gained valuable experience in fostering multilateral relations and regional cooperation.”
Considering the shared interests and objectives of both BRICS and the SCO, he proposed stronger collaboration: “We must find a practical approach to achieving peace, stability, and security rooted in the UN Charter. At this year’s SCO summit, I proposed The SCO Initiative on World Unity for a Just Peace, Harmony and Development initiative focused on strengthening global security and stability while building a more rational political and economic international order.”
A closer look at Kazakhstan’s multi-dimensional foreign policy reveals a defining feature: its emphasis on resolving intergovernmental issues using economic instruments. During visits to Azerbaijan and Armenia, President Tokayev encouraged both sides to pursue peace and reopen transit routes, an effort directed at resolving the logistical challenges that were the primary economic obstacles facing both countries. His foreign policy initiatives in the South Caucasus are gradually laying the groundwork for lasting peace and stability in the region.
In this context, Tokayev’s proposal to integrate Iran into Kazakhstan’s transit system also stands out, offering significant potential for establishing Kazakhstan as a regional transit hub. He also suggested that SCO, BRICS, and BRICS+ countries combine efforts in key areas such as digital technology, e-commerce, cybersecurity, and information sharing. The President called on partners to participate actively in economic, trade, transport, and investment initiatives along the North–South and East–West corridors.
Addressing high-level international forums, President Tokayev has expressed concern about the unprecedented geopolitical and economic instability. One major issue he cites is the global deterioration in food security. Rather than merely identifying problems, President Tokayev proposes concrete solutions. With food supply chains under threat and millions of lives at risk, he points to one critical fact: three of the four biggest food producers in the world are BRICS members. Together, BRICS countries account for more than half global agricultural GDP. So, he calls for coordinated action to address the food crisis and emphasizes Kazakhstan’s readiness to contribute with its vast agricultural potential.
As an experienced diplomat and former UN Deputy Secretary-Genera, President Tokayev has consistently advocated strengthening the United Nations. His calls for reform resonate with many nations, especially in the Global South. Speaking at the Doha Forum in Qatar, he argued: “The UN is a universal organization that remains essential to humanity; there is no alternative. Unfortunately, major powers have failed to make the global world more secure, and current realities raise serious concerns for many nations, including Kazakhstan. Therefore, the UN requires reform.”
At the 77th UN General Assembly, he called for genuine dialogue between East and West and proposed development of a new global security architecture based on mutual trust and multilateral cooperation. He also recommended that the UN establish a Regional Centre for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for Central Asia and Afghanistan, based in Almaty.
Since the beginning of his presidency, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has pursued a peaceful and balanced foreign policy. He promotes multilateral engagement and contributes actively to global peace and stability. This multifaceted foreign policy has created a solid foundation for fostering friendly relations with countries around the world.
The President has successfully built strategic partnerships with Russia, China, Western nations, and the Islamic world. Kazakhstan also maintains strong relations with the European Union and NATO member states, while continuing its active participation in post-Soviet integration efforts through organizations such as the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO). President Tokayev upholds a policy of pragmatic neutrality and remains committed to mutually beneficial cooperation with all partners.
His international initiatives reflect the core principles of Kazakhstan’s foreign policy, emphasizing balance, diplomacy, and constructive engagement. These values enable the country to address both regional and global challenges with confidence.
