This year marks the 80th anniversary of the United Nations, prompting us to consider the vital achievements of this leading multilateral institution and its ongoing significance.
Since its founding in 1945, the UN has undertaken over 70 peacekeeping missions that have aimed to stabilize conflict zones, protect civilians, and provide crucial humanitarian aid to millions impacted by war, famine, and natural disasters. The UN has also led important environmental initiatives and navigated the complexities of the digital era. It serves as the primary platform for diplomacy, bringing together 193 member states to discuss peace, development, and human rights.
However, this anniversary arrives amid intensifying criticism of the UN. There is increasing scrutiny regarding its effectiveness, particularly due to frequent stalemates in the Security Council caused by limited enforcement capabilities and veto powers. Concerns about inequitable global governance have also surfaced, especially regarding representation for developing nations and those from Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
Some claim the UN is outdated and should be bypassed in our increasingly multipolar world. But that might not be the right pathway.
We should focus on modernizing multilateralism so that the UN becomes more attuned to regional priorities and more representative of current global realities. Central to this is the need to empower developmental and intermediary forces to address regional issues—supporting these efforts with the legitimacy of the UN system. This approach will ensure that national voices are heard and that responses are less concentrated and more effective.
A practical instance of this strategy is the establishment of the UN Regional Centre for the Sustainable Development Goals in Almaty, Kazakhstan. Following a resolution passed on March 4th, this Centre is set to facilitate practical solutions that foster regional cooperation on pressing challenges such as climate change, economic integration, and water security.
The Regional Centre aims to assist countries in the region by focusing on collective action against shared issues. This reflects the understanding that local populations are often best equipped to foster peace and progress. By aligning the Sustainable Development Goals with the needs of those they aim to serve, the Centre strives to turn global objectives into concrete local impacts.
This model offers a glimpse into the future. On a broader scale, the UN should collaborate with regional stakeholders to tackle issues specific to areas like the Sahel, Southeast Asia, or Latin America. Such a collaborative framework can lead to a more effective and adaptable multilateral system.
Often, developing nations and countries like China possess a strong belief in the mission of the UN. They view it as the only universal platform for dialogue among all states. To better serve the global community, the UN’s structure—particularly the Security Council—needs reform to incorporate voices beyond the current five permanent members (US, UK, France, Russia, and China). This will enable the UN to more adeptly address the diverse and urgent challenges we face.
Kazakhstan has previously demonstrated its commitment to taking the lead in its region when given the chance, acting responsibly on the global stage.
Regionally, Kazakhstan has worked towards the development and reintegration of Afghanistan, providing humanitarian aid and advocating for educational programs for Afghan youth while promoting their integration into regional trade and energy networks. We believe a stable Afghanistan is crucial for Central Asia’s prosperity; the region cannot fully thrive with one of its neighbors isolated. This involvement should come not from distant global bureaucrats but rather from nations that truly understand the context in which they are working, in cooperation with the UN.
Globally, Kazakhstan has championed peaceful conflict resolution through responsible diplomacy. We hosted negotiations for the Syrian Astana Process and continuously promoted diplomatic solutions to the Azerbaijan-Armenia conflict and tensions in Ukraine. We’ve also deployed peacekeepers in the Golan Heights and participated in various UN missions, including in South Sudan. Furthermore, we had the honor of serving as a non-permanent member of the Security Council from 2017 to 2018.
I believe that with appropriate reforms, the UN can evolve into an even more crucial organization. That’s why we’re presently evaluating the UN80 initiative. This initiative, introduced by Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, aims to modernize UN operations, reassess outdated missions, and enhance efficiency to meet today’s global challenges more effectively.
If the UN can become more representative, regionally grounded, and outcome-focused, it can address essential issues such as climate change, food insecurity, conflict prevention, and technological governance.
Kazakhstan is committed to remaining an active partner in these endeavors. For instance, our country abandoned the world’s fourth-largest nuclear arsenal after gaining independence in 1991 and played a role in establishing a nuclear-free zone in Central Asia in 2006. We’ve advocated worldwide for nuclear disarmament, including signing the 2018 Convention on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, and we push for a world without nuclear arms leading up to the UN’s centennial in 2045, emphasizing diplomacy, dialogue, and multilateral cooperation at all levels.
In the spirit of this anniversary, the international community should not abandon the United Nations. This organization is essential for humanity; there really are no alternatives.
By working together, member states can reinforce the UN’s authority and ensure it produces tangible benefits for people worldwide.
