Tokayev reaffirms Kazakhstan's balanced, peaceful foreign policy at SCO Plus summit
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Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev reaffirmed the country's commitment to a balanced, constructive and peaceful foreign policy at the SCO Plus summit on September 1, 2026. He praised UN Secretary-General António Guterres' contribution to defending international law and called for strengthening the UN. Tokayev also announced Kazakhstan's accession to the Convention on the Establishment of an International Mediation Organization in July 2026.
Key Facts
- Kazakhstan joined the Convention on the Establishment of an International Mediation Organization in July 2026, supporting an initiative of the People's Republic of China.
- Tokayev proposed enshrining the core principles of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in a special UN General Assembly resolution for the International Day of Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace.
- Kazakhstan will establish the UN ESCAP Asia-Pacific Digital Solutions Center in Almaty on its own initiative.
- Tokayev stated that global stability increasingly depends on responsible development of artificial intelligence.
- The new Constitution of Kazakhstan, which entered into force on July 1, 2026, established a unicameral legislature called the Kurultai.
UN Reform and Guterres' Role
Tokayev praised UN Secretary-General António Guterres' contribution to defending international law at the SCO Plus summit. He said the reform initiated by the Secretary-General should preserve the UN's universal character while making it more effective and result-oriented. The success of these changes depends on political will and the responsibility of member states, Tokayev added. Tokayev emphasized that despite frequent criticism, the UN has no alternative and strengthening it is a common task. He proposed enshrining the SCO's core principles in a special UN General Assembly resolution for the International Day of Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace.
Middle Powers and Mediation
Tokayev highlighted the growing role of responsible middle powers in fostering dialogue between different centers and developing collective decisions. He said their positions and initiatives should be reflected in global governance mechanisms, and Kazakhstan is ready to actively contribute to this process. Tokayev argued that institutional renewal of the UN is impossible without strengthening preventive diplomacy. In July 2026, Kazakhstan supported China's initiative and became a member of the Convention on the Establishment of an International Mediation Organization.
Artificial Intelligence and Digital Cooperation
Tokayev said global stability increasingly depends on responsible development of artificial intelligence. He called for universal rules that unlock AI's creative potential, prevent its uncontrolled use, and reduce the digital divide. Kazakhstan will establish the UN ESCAP Asia-Pacific Digital Solutions Center in Almaty on its own initiative. The center can and should help scale up best practices primarily for developing countries, Tokayev said.
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Tokayev reaffirms Kazakhstan's balanced, peaceful foreign policy at SCO Plus summit
