Kazakhstan Promotes Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zones as a Foundation of Global Security

New York, December 5, 2024 – The Permanent Mission of Kazakhstan to the United Nations, in cooperation with the UN Office for Disarmament Affairs, held the annual Nuclear Discussion Forum. Recognizing Kazakhstan's key role in establishing the Central Asian Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone, the country continues to make a significant contribution to addressing global challenges and fostering interregional cooperation. The central theme of the forum was “Strengthening Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zones: Enhancing Regional Stability and Global Security”.

Opening the event, Kazakhstan’s Permanent Representative to the UN Kairat Umarov emphasized the country's unwavering commitment to the principles of nuclear disarmament. He highlighted the strategic vision and key initiatives of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, who regards the elimination of the nuclear threat as a solid foundation for global stability and sustainable development. The Kazakh diplomat underscored that nuclear-weapon-free zones are a cornerstone of global security, contributing to building trust, enhancing cooperation between states, and creating a world free from nuclear threats.

Speakers at the forum included Izumi Nakamitsu, UN Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for Disarmament Affairs; Sérgio França Danese, Permanent Representative of Brazil; Sidi Mohamed Laghdaf, Permanent Representative of Mauritania and President of the Fifth Conference on the Establishment of a Middle East Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone; and Ryan Musto, Director of Forums & Research Initiatives of the William & Mary Global Research Institute.

High Representative Nakamitsu highlighted Kazakhstan's critical role in advancing nuclear disarmament, emphasizing the country’s leadership in organizing events such as the Second Session of the Preparatory Committee for the NPT Review Conference and the upcoming Third Meeting of States Parties to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. She praised Kazakhstan’s contribution to developing nuclear-weapon-free zones, noting that her recent successful visit to Astana reaffirmed the importance of these efforts amid growing global threats.

Panelists also noted the significant outcomes of the seminar organized by Kazakhstan in Astana. This seminar served as a platform for dialogue among representatives of various nuclear-weapon-free zones, international organizations, and civil society. It was emphasized that the seminar highlighted the need to strengthen interzonal cooperation, develop innovative solutions, and address emerging technological challenges.

The forum’s interactive dialogue, held under Chatham House rules, facilitated constructive exchanges between diplomats and experts. Discussions emphasized the need to strengthen security guarantees and create new nuclear-weapon-free zones. Kazakhstan was presented as an example of successfully uniting efforts to achieve shared goals in nuclear disarmament and security.

The forum reaffirmed its role as an essential platform for advancing nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation. Participants expressed their collective commitment to continuing these critically important dialogues to strengthen regional stability and global security.