In recent months, there has been much discussion and speculation surrounding Kazakhstan’s potential membership in the BRICS intergovernmental organization. However, despite interest and support from some BRICS members, Kazakhstan has decided to refrain from submitting a membership application in the near future. This decision is based on several factors, including geopolitical considerations, national interests, and Kazakhstan’s preferences regarding international organizations.
One of the key reasons Kazakhstan has opted to refrain from joining BRICS is President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s commitment to the United Nations (UN). The president has repeatedly voiced his support for the UN as a unique platform for addressing global challenges, despite its shortcomings. According to Tokayev, the UN is the only universal and irreplaceable organization where critical issues such as global security and the creation of a just world order can be discussed.
Presidential press secretary Berik Uali emphasized that Tokayev sees the need for reforming the UN Security Council, as its current structure is not able to effectively respond to the challenges of the modern world. Kazakhstan proposes revising the UN’s decision-making mechanisms to reflect the interests of “middle powers,” including Kazakhstan itself.
As a result, the UN’s priority role for Kazakhstan is one of the main arguments why the country is not in a rush to join other international alliances like BRICS, despite external pressure and offers.
Another factor influencing Kazakhstan’s decision is the complex and multi-step process of applying for BRICS membership. Uali pointed out that, at this stage, there are no guarantees that joining BRICS would bring significant benefits to Kazakhstan, given the organization’s evolving nature. According to some experts, BRICS is still in the process of developing stable operational mechanisms. For example, political analyst Marat Shibutov noted that BRICS lacks well-functioning institutions, and the organization’s effectiveness currently lags behind that of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), which already has practical tools for collaboration, such as anti-terrorism initiatives.
Furthermore, the economic and political uncertainty caused by global crises, such as sanctions wars, disruptions to supply chains, and the rise of protectionist policies, has led Kazakhstan to take a cautious approach to its interaction with large international blocs. Astana seeks to minimize geopolitical risks, especially as global conflicts and economic instability continue to intensify.
Another key factor influencing Kazakhstan’s decision is the complex geopolitical situation. Joining BRICS could increase tensions in Kazakhstan’s relations with Western countries, which view the organization with suspicion. Western nations, particularly the United States and the European Union, see BRICS as an alliance led by China and Russia, positioning it as a potential opponent on the international stage. Given this, Kazakhstan does not want to strain relations with the West, especially as the country actively participates in other international organizations, such as the UN, SCO, CSTO, and the EAEU.
Political commentator Gaziz Abishev highlights that Kazakhstan already has multilateral mechanisms for cooperation with key BRICS members. Through organizations like the SCO and EAEU, Kazakhstan maintains close ties with China and Russia and continues to develop initiatives such as the “Belt and Road” project. Thus, Kazakhstan already has access to important economic and political tools for interaction with major BRICS countries without the need for formal membership.
In recent years, Kazakhstan has focused on developing regional cooperation, especially with neighboring countries. Frequent visits by President Tokayev to Central Asian countries underscore Kazakhstan’s emphasis on strengthening ties in this region. This focus on regional partnerships partially explains Kazakhstan’s cautious approach to joining global organizations like BRICS, which include countries located far from Central Asia.
Participation in more distant and multilateral alliances carries unpredictable risks. In a world facing increasing geopolitical turbulence, Kazakhstan prefers to develop cooperation with nearby partners, helping to minimize external threats and reduce dependence on global economic fluctuations.
Conclusion
Despite the decision to refrain from submitting a membership application, Kazakhstan remains interested in BRICS as a significant international alliance. The country supports the organization’s goals of strengthening economic and trade ties and promoting a fairer global order. Kazakhstan is already actively involved in the “BRICS Plus” format and will continue to engage with the bloc’s participants at various levels.
As Berik Uali noted, Kazakhstan will closely observe the organization’s evolution and supports the creation of a fair and democratic global order, free from the dominance of superpowers. At the same time, political analyst Andrei Chebotarev suggests that Kazakhstan may reconsider submitting a membership application in the future if conditions and the development prospects of BRICS change.
Thus, Kazakhstan’s decision to refrain from applying for BRICS membership is based on a combination of pragmatic approaches to foreign policy, the consideration of national interests, and current geopolitical conditions. Kazakhstan seeks to maintain a balance between global and regional partnerships, with a focus on the UN and cooperation with neighboring countries. At the same time, Kazakhstan does not rule out the possibility of expanding its interaction with BRICS but prefers, for now, to engage through more flexible and less binding formats. This approach allows the country to preserve strategic autonomy and reduce risks in a context of global instability.
