Kazakhstan's President: UN Remains Vital Despite Hindered Effectiveness
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Kazakhstan’s President, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, has asserted that the United Nations (UN) remains a highly important universal organisation, even though its effectiveness is increasingly hampered by structural limitations that reduce the world body’s ability to respond to global challenges.
According to an official statement from the Kazakh Embassy in Jakarta on Monday, Tokayev made these remarks while participating in a high-level panel session titled “Mapping the Future, Managing Uncertainty” at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum on 17 April 2026 in Antalya, Turkey.
According to Tokayev, although there is broad agreement on the need for reform, optimism for real change remains low.
He spotlighted the UN Security Council as the primary issue, with its structure and dynamics seen as barriers to institutional reform and effective decision-making.
The Kazakh President also expressed concern over the growing trend of global conflict negotiations taking place outside the UN framework, which signals the marginalisation of its role.
This trend raises doubts about the relevance of the multilateral system, he said, and prompts a review of the UN Charter because several of its provisions are deemed outdated.
Tokayev also voiced worries about the weakening role of international institutions in handling conflicts, including the absence of visible UN leadership.
He assessed that the global governance system is under pressure, with old mechanisms struggling to adapt to constantly changing geopolitical dynamics.
In addition, Tokayev emphasised the importance of preventive diplomacy by promoting efforts to anticipate and mitigate conflicts from the outset.
In his view, although it has long been discussed, its implementation remains limited because the international community’s responses are more often reactive than proactive.
He also highlighted the need to consider the impact of new technologies, including artificial intelligence, on international institutions and decision-making processes.
The Kazakh President reaffirmed his support for multilateral diplomacy, noting that its effectiveness depends on real reforms and renewed political commitment.
The Antalya Diplomacy Forum (ADF) is an annual high-level platform that brings together global leaders, policymakers, and experts to discuss international security challenges, diplomacy, and global governance.
The 2026 Antalya Diplomacy Forum (ADF 2026), held in Antalya, Turkey, from 17-19 April 2026, focuses on efforts to address uncertainty in a rapidly changing geopolitical environment, with particular attention to conflict dynamics, economic disruptions, and the future of multilateral cooperation.