Speaking at the SCO Plus summit in Bishkek on September 1, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev emphasized the need to further strengthen the United Nations and improve its effectiveness. He stated that despite criticism of the UN, there is no alternative to it today.
Tokayev noted that the UN must maintain its central role in the international system, and its Charter must remain the universal foundation of international law. Kazakhstan, he stated, supports closer cooperation between the UN and regional organizations and formats, including the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.
The President also spoke about the large-scale political and economic transformations in Kazakhstan. He noted that the new Constitution, which entered into force on July 1, has established a new system of government, and the unicameral Kurultai, which has begun functioning, has become part of the country's renewed political architecture.
Tokayev confirmed that Kazakhstan will continue to adhere to a balanced, constructive, and peaceful foreign policy.
The President's statement is particularly significant against the backdrop of the expanding role of regional associations in global politics. Kazakhstan is essentially proposing to view the SCO not as an alternative to the UN, but as one of the mechanisms for strengthening the multilateral system. This approach is important for Central Asia, as it allows for a combination of active regional cooperation and a commitment to universal norms of international law.
CentralasianLIGHT.org
September 1, 2026