Skopje, 29 May 2025 (MIA) - President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova addressed the opening of Astana International Forum 2025 held in Kazakhstan under the motto “Connecting Minds, Shaping the Future”. She assessed that ongoing geopolitical and geoeconomic upheavals, along with multiple crises, are causing deep tectonic shifts that undermine the principles that shaped global governance 80 years ago, her Office said in a press release Thursday.

Instead of mobilizing effort to solve urgent issues, such as peace and security, climate change, digital transformation and growing inequality, Siljanovska-Davkova said it seems the world is regressing to a state where rules are being replaced by power. 

“As president of a territorially small European country, I firmly believe that small and middle powers should be the biggest supporters of effective multilateralism with the United Nations at its center,” the President said.

This, according to the President, requires meaningful reforms: the Security Council to be expanded, reformed and democratized with the goal of becoming more accountable and responsible in keeping international peace and security; the General Assembly to serve not only for debates, but also for policymaking; and the verdicts of the International Court of Justice to become binding for all.

“Small and middle powers, freed from hegemonic ambitions, can provide moral directions and innovative leadership necessary for the revitalization of multilateralism. We can do so by building bridges, starting with our own regions,” Siljanovska-Davkova stressed. 

The Astana International Forum was opened by the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.  

Photo: Office of the President