At a time when global security feels increasingly fragile, Kazakhstan is stepping forward with a familiar but urgent message: the world must return to dialogue on nuclear disarmament, DKNews.kz reports.
During the ongoing Review Conference of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) at United Nations Headquarters in New York, the Kazakh delegation has been actively promoting cooperation, trust, and concrete steps toward reducing nuclear risks.
A bridge between nuclear-free regions
Leading the delegation, First Deputy Foreign Minister Yerzhan Ashikbayev held key consultations with Juan Carlos Ojeda Viglione, head of the Agency for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in Latin America and the Caribbean (OPANAL).
At first glance, Central Asia and Latin America may seem worlds apart. But both regions share something powerful: they are nuclear-weapon-free zones. And today, that common ground is becoming a platform for deeper cooperation.
The two sides agreed on practical next steps to strengthen ties between their regions, building on a Memorandum of Understanding signed just months ago in December 2024. The goal is simple but ambitious — to make nuclear-weapon-free zones not just symbolic, but operational pillars of global security.
Why nuclear-weapon-free zones matter
Kazakhstan has long positioned itself as a moral voice in nuclear disarmament. The legacy of the Semipalatinsk nuclear test site still shapes the country’s foreign policy — and its credibility.
At a special event co-organized with United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs, United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research, and the Nuclear Threat Initiative, Ashikbayev emphasized that nuclear-weapon-free zones are not just diplomatic concepts — they are “stabilizing anchors” in an increasingly unpredictable world.
This year’s discussions also marked the 20th anniversary of the Treaty of Semipalatinsk, which established Central Asia as a nuclear-weapon-free zone.
Experts and diplomats at the event highlighted a key issue: unfinished commitments. In particular, they stressed the importance of finalizing the ratification of security assurance protocols — guarantees from nuclear powers not to use or threaten nuclear weapons against these zones.
Quiet diplomacy with major powers
Beyond public forums, Kazakhstan has also been working behind closed doors.
Ashikbayev held meetings with representatives from the United States, China, and Germany, discussing current global security challenges and Kazakhstan’s role as chair of one of the main committees at the conference.
While details of these talks remain дипломатично сдержанными, the message from Kazakhstan is clear: dialogue must not stop — even when tensions rise.
This aligns with the broader initiative of Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, who has repeatedly called for renewed communication between nuclear-armed states.
A realistic approach in an idealistic space
Unlike many sweeping calls for disarmament, Kazakhstan’s approach is notably pragmatic.
Rather than pushing for immediate breakthroughs, it is focusing on incremental progress:
- strengthening regional cooperation
- encouraging legal commitments
- creating new nuclear-free zones
- and keeping communication channels open
In a world where nuclear rhetoric is once again becoming sharper, that realism may be exactly what’s needed.
What happens next
The NPT Review Conference will continue until May 22, 2026. Whether it produces major agreements remains uncertain — these meetings often struggle to reach consensus.
But Kazakhstan’s active role shows something important: even middle powers can shape the conversation.
And sometimes, in global politics, keeping the conversation alive is already a victory.
