The Montaigne Institute in Paris places Kazakhstan – the world’s ninth largest country – among the emerging regional powers. Its current activism ranges from energy issues to the green economy.
Paris () – The Montaigne Institute, one of the most authoritative centres for international analysis based in Paris, has published a new report, as part of its summer series “In Search of Regional Powers”, on “In the Shadow of Saudi Arabia and Kazakhstan”, to delve deeper into the geopolitical role and diplomatic strategies of these two countries, considering them as influential regional powers in the contemporary world context. Although in different contexts, these two actors govern complex dynamics of international relations to maintain their capacity to act in the global arena.
The author of the report, Michel Duclos, a French diplomat and one of the Institute’s leading experts, considers Kazakhstan “a strategic regional power with global ambitions.” In his opinion, Astana plays a leading role in the Central Asian context, supported by its considerable economic resources and its strategic geographical location. Kazakhstan is the ninth largest country in the world in terms of land area and guarantees 50% of the GDP of the entire region, possessing large reserves of natural resources such as oil, coal, uranium and several critical metals, which make its economic action decisive, especially for the energy supply of Europe and other regions.
Aware of its potential, Kazakhstan does not limit itself to its regional ambitions, but is actively involved in the international diplomatic arena. The report highlights Astana’s initiatives in areas such as curbing the proliferation of nuclear weapons and the management of civil nuclear energy, confirming its status as the world’s leading producer of uranium. Also important is the mediation role it has assumed in several international conflicts, such as the Astana process for Syria and the recent negotiations between Armenia and Azerbaijan.
Kazakhstan’s diplomatic efforts also extend to global ecological and climatic issues, as confirmed by its cooperation with France in organizing this year’s “One Water” summit. Kazakhstan is also renowned for its activities in favour of developing interfaith dialogue, in particular with the regular congresses of leaders of the world’s traditional religions. More than 140 ethnic groups coexist in the country, as Duclos points out, achieving great results in building a compact and shared national identity that encompasses ethnic diversity and multiplicity of religions.
Even with all the uncertainties still to be resolved, Kazakhstan has been going through a phase of major political change, especially following the election of current President Kasym-Žomart Tokaev, who has been trying to implement an ambitious reform plan since 2019. Economically, the country is striving to reduce its dependence on Russia, a task that has become more relevant following the upheavals in the global geopolitical order following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. As such, Kazakhstanis are increasingly seeking to diversify their economy, taking the example of the Astana International Financial Centre and its ambitions to become a hub for finance, technology and cryptocurrencies.
Looking ahead, Kazakhstan is trying to develop a “green” economy, as reflected in the “Strategy-2050” plan approved by the government. It wants to reduce the energy intensity of its economy by increasing the share of renewable energy in the coming years. In conclusion, the Montaigne Institute places Kazakhstan among the emerging regional powers that, if it manages to properly regulate relations with its major neighbours, such as Russia and China, can play a decisive role in the global geopolitical landscape.
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