UN at AIF2025: Advancing Multilateralism for a Sustainable Future

ASTANA, 29 May 2025 — The Astana International Forum, one of the world’s leading platforms for multilateral dialogue, officially opened today in Kazakhstan’s capital. The Forum convenes prominent global leaders and experts to identify practical, effective solutions to today’s most pressing global challenges. The United Nations continues to serve as a strategic partner of the Forum, facilitating high-level discussions and coordinating the participation of senior UN officials.

This year, UN-led sessions cover a broad range of critical global issues, including the 80th anniversary of the United Nations, the modernization of the UN system to address contemporary challenges, the advancement of the Pact for the Future, water security, migration, preparations for COP30, responsible use of artificial intelligence, enhanced energy connectivity, and the strategic role of Central Asia in global problem-solving.

The high-level UN delegation includes:

• H.E. Mr. Ban Ki-moon, 8th Secretary-General of the United Nations
• H.E. Mr. Qu Dongyu, Director-General of FAO
• H.E. Mr. Daren Tang, Director General of WIPO
• H.E. Ms. Amy Pope, Director General of IOM
• H.E. Mr. Haoliang Xu, UN Under-Secretary-General, UNDP Associate Administrator
• H.E. Mr. Amandeep Singh Gill, Secretary-General's Envoy on Technology
• H.E. Ms. Roza Otunbayeva, SRSG for Afghanistan, Head of UNAMA
• H.E. Mr. Kaha Imnadze, SRSG for Central Asia, Head of UNRCCA
• H.E. Mr. Felipe Paullier, Assistant Secretary-General for Youth Affairs

Opening the Forum’s plenary session, President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev stated:
"Today’s global challenges require collective leadership and a revival of trust among nations. We must act as a united front, strengthening multilateralism and giving it new momentum."

FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu noted:
"This year also marks FAO’s 80th anniversary. Food is the foundation of life. We must learn from each other and promote better-coordinated cooperation."

In a keynote speech, former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon emphasized Central Asia’s growing role in shaping collective solutions:
"No country can solve global challenges alone. Today’s leaders are more divided than ever. We must reflect on our shared future. I’m encouraged to see growing momentum for regional cooperation in Central Asia."

A special thematic session dedicated to the UN’s 80th anniversary explored next steps in optimizing UN reform and addressed key challenges within the context of the Pact for the Future, the Declaration on Future Generations, and the Global Digital Compact.

Akan Rakhmetullin, First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan, stated:
"Rebuilding trust is a core challenge for the UN. The CICA platform, for example, brings together states with historical differences, showing the power of diplomacy. Yet double standards undermine trust: different conflicts are treated differently, weakening the legitimacy of global institutions."

Amandeep Singh Gill, USG on Digitalisation, underscored the dual promise and risk of rapid technological advancement. He noted that only 17% of SDGs are currently on track, with 30% of the global population still offline—and even lower rates in Least Developed Countries.
"The Global Digital Compact strengthens commitments to closing the digital divide. This includes infrastructure development, SME support, and global cooperation. AI governance must be inclusive, fair, and transparent. We cannot allow AI to widen existing gaps—between North and South, or men and women."

Stephen O’Malley, UN Resident Coordinator a.i. in Kazakhstan, emphasized:
"For 80 years, the UN has remained the only global platform where countries can come together to tackle shared challenges. But today, we live in an era of uncertainty, complexity, and instability. The Pact for the Future is our opportunity to renew multilateralism and restore global solidarity."

The Pact for the Future, along with the Global Digital Compact and the Declaration on Future Generations, represents a transformative agenda for international cooperation. These initiatives aim to modernize global governance, ensure fair financial architecture, promote digital inclusion, and elevate the voices of future generations in policymaking. Panel discussions brought together leaders from the UN, business, tech, and civil society to explore how to implement these goals through inclusive and innovative solutions.

As part of the Forum, the UN also launched an interactive SDG Media Zone—a space for knowledge exchange, visibility of sustainable development efforts, and presentation of the UN Country Team’s priorities in Kazakhstan and beyond. This year, the UN booth celebrates UN80 and the “UN and Me” campaign, showcasing 30 inspiring stories of Kazakhstani beneficiaries from across the country whose lives have been transformed through UN support.

The Astana International Forum provides a timely platform for meaningful dialogue and joint action, reaffirming shared commitments to peace, sustainable development, and resilient societies in an interconnected world.