Addressing the plenary session of the Astana International Forum 2025, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev touched upon the need to reform the UN Security Council, Kazinform news agency reported on May 29.
“The core structures of the UN, particularly the Security Council, remain largely unchanged. This disconnect between the institutional framework of 80 years back and the realities of today undermines the organization’s credibility and effectiveness. Critical decisions that affect billions of lives cannot be made by a handful of nations alone,” Tokayev was cited as saying.
He reportedly stated that Kazakhstan supports the expansion of the UN Security Council including broader regional representation.
According to him, structural reform of the Security Council is essential to ensure that the UN remains relevant and truly reflects the world as it is, not as it was.
“Big powers should voice their commitment to preserve peace and security by upholding a major principle of protecting territorial integrity of all states. We all should strongly remain adherent to the UN Charter with no biased and selective approaches to its principles. Thus we would be able to restore trust in authority of the United Nations,” Kassym-Jomart Tokayev highlighted.
The Hill reported on June 6 that in his article dedicated to the 80th anniversary of the United Nations, Tolayev notes that since its founding in 1945, the U.N. has deployed over 70 peacekeeping missions, helped stabilize conflict zones, protected civilians and delivered vital humanitarian aid to millions affected by war, famine and natural disasters. It has led major environmental efforts; ensures smooth transition towards the digital world; and remains the world’s central forum for diplomacy, uniting 193 member states around peace, development and human rights.
According to him, it is important to reflect on what the world’s most prominent multilateral institution has achieved — and why it remains indispensable, The Hill noted.
The U.N. reportedly faces growing scrutiny for its limited enforcement powers and frequent Security Council deadlocks due to vetoes.
Concerns also persist about inequitable global governance, with developing and middle powers — especially from Africa, Asia and Latin America — underrepresented in global decision-making.
“Some argue that the U.N. is outdated and should be bypassed in a multipolar world. But that would be a mistake, the Kazakh leader said, noting that instead, it is necessary to modernize multilateralism to make the U.N. more responsive to regional priorities and more reflective of today’s global realities..
