Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said at the plenary session of the Astana International Forum that the world is returning to a split into blocs, which has not been observed over the past 30 years. He noted that the world order, which was established when the UN was created, are now being undermined, El.kz reports.
The President stressed that the UN remains the most important global organization capable of uniting everyone. However, in order to meet the challenges of our time, a comprehensive reform of the Security Council is needed. He expressed his conviction of the need to strengthen and clearly hear the voices of the middle powers in this council.
Tokayev listed a number of crises that countries are currently facing, including the COVID-19 pandemic and international conflicts. All these factors, in his opinion, threaten the fragile ecosystem of the world.
The President of Kazakhstan also noted that the strong split observed in the world is not only related to geopolitical issues, but is also accompanied by economic undercurrents, when economic policy is used as a weapon. He pointed to sanctions, trade wars and targeted debt policies that limit countries' access to finance and investment.
Such factors, according to Tokayev, are gradually undermining the foundations on which global peace and prosperity of recent decades have been built, including free trade, global investment, innovation and fair competition. As a result, there is increasing division and social anxiety both between and within states.
The International Forum "Astana" is held from 8 to 9 June in the capital of Kazakhstan with the participation of more than a thousand guests from 70 countries. President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov, Head of the Presidium of Bosnia and Herzegovina Zeljka Cvijanovic, Prime Minister of Uzbekistan Abdulla Aripov, UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay, IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva and many other high-ranking officials will also speak at the forum.