Remarks of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan at the Plenary Session of the inaugural Astana Think Tank Forum

Dear Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is my great pleasure to welcome you today to the inaugural Astana Think Tank Forum.

Held under the auspices of the Astana International Forum, this dialogue platform is a vital space for exchanging ideas on the most pressing global and regional issues.

As you well know, the world faces unprecedented challenges: regional conflicts, economic turbulence, climate change, and food and migration crises.

These global issues affect us all and demand our collective response.

Our shared future depends on our ability to come together and find common solutions. That is why Kazakhstan is honoured to facilitate this important dialogue.

As the world becomes increasingly polarized, and as multilateral institutions weaken, the role of middle powers grows.

When larger powers are locked in rivalries or unable to reach consensus, it is often middle powers that step_in to maintain dialogue, mediate disputes, and sustain the frameworks that uphold global cooperation.

We must acknowledge that the challenges we face are growing in complexity.

Regional conflicts are evolving in unpredictable ways. Numerous non-state actors and proxy forces are now contributing to instability. Economic turbulence and recent geopolitical tensions have disrupted global supply chains. They affect everything from energy prices to food security.

Climate change now poses an existential threat to entire nations and communities. Droughts, floods, and extreme weather events are becoming the norm.

In the face of these profound disruptions, it is essential that middle powers leverage their unique position to foster dialogue and cooperation, enable the mediation of disputes, and also put their weight behind the pursuit of stability.

These countries can, especially together, exert a positive influence. They do this through their ability to build bridges, not through military or economic dominance.

When larger powers tend toward competition, middle powers must lean toward cooperation, even where unity seems difficult.

Kazakhstan stands at a unique crossroads - both geographically and strategically - between East and West, North and South.

Politically, we are pursuing ambitious reforms to ensure the prosperity and meeting the democratic aspirations of our people.

Kazakhstan is proud to have established a robust governance model that exemplifies democratic principles: a system of checks and balances with a strong president, an influential parliament, and an accountable government.

Our commitment to democracy was recently illustrated through a nationwide referendum on the construction of a Nuclear Power Plant.

Moreover, Kazakhstan's judicial reforms aim to increase transparency, strengthen the rule of law, and enhance public trust in our institutions.

These reforms are crucial not only for maintaining domestic stability but also for fostering an environment conducive to economic growth and foreign investment.

Economically, Kazakhstan has made great strides. We have attracted $400 billion in foreign direct investment. Kazakhstan is launching a new investment cycle with a strategic FDI goal of $150 billion by 2029.

We recognize the need to provide investors comprehensive end-to-end state support and prompt decision-making.

That is why we have established a high-level investment board to oversee strategic investment projects.

Last year we registered 5.1% GDP growth, exceeding the global average.

We are also a critical player in global markets - producing 43% of the world's uranium and ranking among the top 20 oil, wheat and other commodity producers.

In logistics, 80% of current land transit between Asia and Europe passes through our country.

Kazakhstan is proud to have conceptualised the Belt and Road Initiative, which continues to drive connectivity across continents.

We want to strengthen regional cooperation through platforms such as the Middle Corridor.

Last year the cargo volume through this route doubled to 3 million tons. We expect it to reach 10 million tons in coming years.

Kazakhstan is also actively working on the development of the International North-South Transport corridor connecting huge markets.

In the field of digitalisation we are strongly committed to using technology to improve governance, increase efficiency, and enhance transparency.

More than 90% of government services in our country are provided electronically, and the share of non-cash transactions now exceeds 80%.

The volume of IT exports increased fivefold last year alone. We intend to increase this figure to one billion dollars by 2026.

Cooperation in the field of critical raw materials extraction is regarded here, in Kazakhstan, as one of the key components of technological development.

Rare earth metals have become indispensable to achieve net-zero in strategic sectors such as industry, digital, space and defense.

We continue to work with international partners on the most effective way to harness our significant deposits of uranium, lithium, titanium, and other rare earth elements.

Kazakhstan has long embraced its role as a prominent member of the international community with a clear sense of purpose and responsibility.

The key pillars of our foreign policy are independence, multiláteralism, regional stability and diplomacy.

In this regard, we strongly support the United Nations' central role as the world's sole universal organization, driving global cooperation and progress.

We believe that constructive engagement with all major partners is essential to fostering long-term peace and prosperity, both in our region and beyond.

Kazakhstan's independent posture is far from a passive stance. Our strategic neutrality represents a proactive and deliberate choice that protects our interests.

Through this impartial stance, we create space to build partnerships and facilitate dialogue.

In this vein, Kazakhstan chaired regional organisations like the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia, and now the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea.

We have also hosted parts of the Iran Nuclear Deal process, the Syria talks, and more recently meetings between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

One of the key areas where Kazakhstan's leadership has been particularly impactful is in nuclear disarmament.

We voluntarily relinquished our nuclear arsenal, and will continue to champion global non-proliferation efforts.

Our initiative to establish an International Agency on Biological Safety also complements our commitment to addressing emerging threats in the global security landscape.

In the domain of the environmental protection, Kazakhstan is committed to the goals of the global climate agenda. We are strong supporters of the
Paris climate agreement.

Last December, on the margins of COP28 Kazakhstan joined the Global Methane Pledge and expressed its readiness to implement a Just Energy Transition Partnership.

To promote regional climate efforts Kazakhstan is spearheading several major events.

This year we are co-hosting the One Water Summit with France to address the most pressing issues of water agenda.

We are also actively engaging with our friends and partners to host a Regional Climate Summit in Kazakhstan in 2026 in close cooperation with the UN.

We are the first country in the region to establish national agency KazAID to provide official development assistance.

We have maintained our humanitarian aid to Afghanistan as well as supporting the education of Afghan students in Kazakhstan.

Finally, we look forward to establishing the UN regional Centre on SDGs in Almaty that could advance the critical Agenda 2030 in our region.

Looking ahead, Kazakhstan will continue to advocate for the voices of middle powers in international forums such as the UN Security Council.

We envision a more inclusive and resilient international system. Nations, regardless of size, must be able to contribute to building a better world.

Kazakhstan reaffirms its unwavering commitment to playing a proactive, visionary role on the global stage. We stand at the intersection of diplomacy, economic cooperation, and multilateral governance.

Our influence - when exercised collectively with our fellow partners - can profoundly shape the world of tomorrow.

We are not bystanders in this evolving international order. Instead we aim to be contributing architects of a more balanced, just, and resilient global system.

The challenges we face, from climate change to security threats demand action, innovation, and leadership. Countries like Kazakhstan are
well-positioned to drive this change.

Our vision is clear: a multipolar world where middle powers not only survive but thrive, exercising strategic leadership and championing global stability.

Kazakhstan's role is not only to mediate, but to innovate, inspire, and ensure that the voices of all nations - large and small - are heard and respected.

We cannot achieve these goals alone. We need a broader international cooperation and support of our fellow partners.

Kazakhstan is ready to take up this mantle, to partner with like-minded nations addressing the urgent global challenges of our time.

In the presence of this esteemed audience, I wish to give some remarks on the situation in Ukraine. As I mentioned during my recent meeting with Chancellor Scholz, Russia militarily is invincible. This is a fact confirmed by Russia's military capabilities, and the support of the Russian people of the policy of President Putin, and by history itself.

Therefore, we believe that seeking peaceful solutions is absolutely essential, and we support realistic peace plans from all countries, including China and Brazil.

There is no other way. The alternative is a war of mutual extermination. Perhaps some world powers are interested in this, but this is the path to the abyss.

The pursuit of peace through constructive dialogue is not a sign of weakness, but a reflection of strategic wisdom and foresight.

In closing, I want to express my deepest gratitude to all the participants and experts here today.

You have come and contributed your thinking and analysis and helped us advance and develop important conceptual notions and frameworks. It is through forums like this that real progress is made.

I am confident that the ideas generated here will resonate far beyond these walls.

Thank you.