President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev spoke at the Regional Environmental Summit in Astana. In his speech, he linked the environmental agenda to issues of international relations and sustainable development.
THE SUMMIT AS A POLITICAL PLATFORM
The summit includes leaders from Central Asia, as well as representatives from the United Nations (UN) and other international organisations.
Formally, the agenda is dedicated to environmental issues, but the composition of participants and the level of representation effectively elevate the meeting beyond a sectoral discussion. The summit serves as a platform for debating broader questions of regional cooperation and the international agenda.
STATEMENT ON THE ROLE OF THE UN
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev emphasised that the UN remains a key and irreplaceable platform for global dialogue, despite changes in the global system.
At the same time, he drew attention to the problem of a selective approach to international law, stating that the UN Charter cannot be applied selectively. The President compared such a practice to “a menu from which you only choose what you like”.
He also noted that amid global transformations, international institutions must take into account new realities.
ECOLOGY AS PART OF GEOPOLITICS
In his address, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev linked the environmental agenda to broader issues of development and security.
“Nature can exist without geopolitics, whereas geopolitics cannot exist without nature,” the President stated.
This formulation effectively moves the environmental agenda beyond its specific field, connecting it to issues of security, resilience and development.
THE WORLD IN A STATE OF UNCERTAINTY
The Head of State noted that the modern world is in a state of growing uncertainty and unpredictability.
According to him, these processes directly affect the resilience of states and the quality of life, and also divert resources from solving environmental problems.
CENTRAL ASIA AS A SINGLE REGION
The President emphasised that the countries of Central Asia are linked by shared ecosystems, including water resources and climate risks.
In this context, he called for joint action, noting that cooperation should be built on the principles of partnership, trust and shared responsibility without mutual recriminations.
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s statements place the environmental agenda within the context of international politics and security. This also underscores Kazakhstan's role as a platform for regional and international dialogue.