Since declaring its independence in 1991, Kazakhstan has firmly pursued a course of peaceful and balanced foreign policy. The country is committed to multilateral cooperation in accordance with the UN Charter, actively participating in ensuring international security and stability.
Commitment to this course is supported by a number of initiatives, including in the field of nuclear non-proliferation, the provision of a neutral venue for conflict resolution negotiations, active cooperation in the activities of international organizations, humanitarian aid and contribution to peacekeeping operations.
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1. Nuclear non-proliferation
Kazakhstan has been an active supporter of nuclear non-proliferation since the early days of its independence, as evidenced by the following key initiatives:
* Abandonment of nuclear arsenal: In the early 1990s, Kazakhstan voluntarily abandoned its nuclear arsenal (1,410 nuclear warheads – the fourth largest arsenal in the world at the time) and decommissioned it , by handing over warheads and nuclear materials to Russia under international supervision and dismantling delivery systems.
* Closure of the Semipalatinsk Nuclear Test Site (1991): one of the earliest and most significant steps of an independent Kazakhstan was the closure of the Semipalatinsk Test Site, one of the largest nuclear test sites in the world. This decision marks the country's commitment to eliminate nuclear threats.
* Central Asian Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone (NWFZ): In 2006, Kazakhstan together with neighboring countries established the NWFZ. The Treaty was subsequently ratified by all five Central Asian countries and entered into force on 21 March 2009.
* International Day of Action Against Nuclear Tests (2009): The UN General Assembly unanimously adopted a resolution proposed by Kazakhstan declaring August 29 the International Day of Action Against Nuclear Tests (on August 29, 1991 a decree was signed to close the Semipalatinsk training ground).
* The Universal Declaration on Building a Nuclear-Weapon-Free World, initiated by Kazakhstan, adopted by the UN General Assembly in December 2015
The deployment of the IAEA Low Enriched Uranium Bank in the city of Ust-Kamenogorsk is a confirmation of the international community's recognition of Kazakhstan as a reliable and responsible partner in the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons.
2. Kazakhstan offers a neutral venue to help resolve conflicts
Using its geostrategic location, peaceful and balanced foreign policy, Kazakhstan renders comprehensive assistance in settling regional and international disputes, offering a neutral venue for negotiations.
Main Activities:
* Kazakhstan's role in the negotiations on Iran's nuclear program (2013): In 2013, Kazakhstan provided a neutral venue for two rounds of negotiations between Iran and the 5+1 group (the five permanent members of the UN Security Council and Germany) aimed at solving the problem of the Iranian nuclear program. The meetings held in Almaty played a role in fostering the dialogue that ultimately contributed to the adoption of the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.
* Astana Process on Syria (2017-present): Kazakhstan secured talks on Syria in Astana involving the Syrian government, the country's opposition forces, as well as Russia, Turkey and Iran .
* Armenia-Azerbaijan Peace Talks (2024): In May 2024, Kazakhstan proposed that Armenia-Azerbaijan peace talks be held in the country in order for the two sides to discuss concluding a peace agreement. In September 2024, Azerbaijan accepted Kazakhstan's proposal for further negotiations between Baku and Yerevan for a peace treaty.
3. Active activity in international organizations
Kazakhstan builds mutually respectful and mutually beneficial relations with all countries of the world. Astana firmly adheres to the strategic course of strengthening multilateral cooperation with Central Asian countries and intends to continue to contribute to the further development of regional cooperation to maintain stability in the region. Kazakhstan adheres to the principle: “Successful Central Asia - successful Kazakhstan”.
Kazakhstan has come up with a number of initiatives to create regional and international organizations to support the provision of peace, security and cooperation in various sectors.
Key initiatives:
* Meeting on Interoperability and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICM). Founded by Kazakhstan in 1992, the multilateral forum promotes peace, security and cooperation across Asia through dialogue and confidence-building measures. The 28 member states of the CICA play an important role in strengthening stability in the region.
* Islamic Food Security Organization (IFSA). Kazakhstan initiated the creation of the IOPS in 2013 to address food security issues in the member states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). IOPS promotes the development of agriculture, coordinates efforts to overcome food crises and promotes the exchange of experience between Islamic countries.
* Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). Kazakhstan is one of the founding countries of the SCO, whose activity is focused on political, economic cooperation and ensuring security in Eurasia. In 2024, Kazakhstan will chair the SCO, promoting initiatives to fight terrorism, ensure regional stability and economic cooperation.
* In 2024, Kazakhstan co-chairs the CISG, the Organization of Turkic-Speaking States, the Consultative Meetings of the Central Asian States, the Collective Security Treaty Organization, the Islamic Food Security Organization and the International Fund to Save the Aral Sea sea.
* Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions: Since 2003, every three years Kazakhstan has convened a congress bringing together religious leaders from around the world to promote dialogue, understanding and peace between different faiths. The Congress serves as a unique platform for building tolerance and respect between nations and religious communities.
4. Kazakhstan's commitment to humanitarian aid
Kazakhstan contributes to global humanitarian efforts through the Kazakhstan Agency for International Development (KazAID), providing support to developing countries in crisis situations.
Main directions:
* Humanitarian aid for the people of Afghanistan. Kazakhstan provides ongoing humanitarian support to the people of Afghanistan, including sending food, providing scholarships for education and promoting infrastructure development.
* Disaster relief: Kazakhstan provides aid to countries affected by natural disasters, such as financial support for earthquake-affected regions and medical aid during pandemics. Thus, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Kazakhstan sent medicines and personal protective equipment to several countries in need, including neighbors in Central Asia and beyond.
5. Contribution to global security and peacekeeping
Kazakhstan considers participation in UN peacekeeping activities as an important direction in its foreign policy aimed at strengthening regional and global security.
To date, 630 Kazakh servicemen have participated in UN peacekeeping operations, another 157 peacekeepers are currently serving in UN peacekeeping missions in the Golan Heights, including 139 servicemen in the national contingent + 1 staff officer, in Western Sahara, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo and Lebanon. The Center for Peacekeeping Operations of the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Kazakhstan ("KAZCENTER") deals with the training of peacekeepers for UN missions. From 2019 “KAZCENT“ conducts UN-certified peacekeeping courses to prepare military personnel from UN member states to participate in UN peacekeeping missions.
„CASECENT“ conducts training courses for military personnel from Africa, Asia and Europe. In 2023-2024 alone, 74 foreign peacekeepers from Great Britain, Jordan, Canada, Kyrgyzstan, Nigeria, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Turkey, Uzbekistan, France, the Czech Republic and Japan upgraded their qualifications in the UN-certified courses of “ KAZCENT“.
Conclusion
Kazakhstan's course to build peace and security, which includes nuclear disarmament, providing a neutral platform for negotiations, humanitarian aid and global peacekeeping, reaffirms the country's commitment to progress towards a more secure and stable world order .