In the context of contemporary international relations, Kazakhstan occupies a pivotal position in ensuring stability in Central Asia. It is the region’s largest country in terms of both territory and economic heft and pursues a multivector foreign policy aimed at minimizing risks and strengthening regional security.
Central Asia – comprising Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan – has long attracted the strategic interest of major global powers due to its pivotal location and abundant natural resources.
The countries of Central Asia represent one of the key priorities in Kazakhstan’s foreign policy. As the geographical and political center of the region, Kazakhstan seeks to maintain a balance of interests by employing diplomatic instruments, participating in international organizations and fostering multilateral relations.
It is important to consider not only external influences but also the internal dynamics among the countries of the region when assessing regional security. In this context, the regional security complex theory is applicable, as it posits that security is shaped not only at the global and at the national levels, but also through interactions among neighboring states.
Historically, conflicts most often arise within regional environments, as neighboring states tend to share similar challenges in areas such as the economy, environment, and defense. A core concept of the regional security complex theory is mutual vulnerability. A country’s neighbors may perceive the strengthening of that country’s position as a potential threat, even if the country’s intentions are peaceful. This creates a mirror effect, where one state’s consolidation prompts reciprocal actions from others. In the absence of a trusted institutional framework among regional countries, every move can be interpreted ambiguously. Such reactions are not limited to the military sphere.
Security in a given region is not an absolute, but a relative concept. As long as countries view one another as potential rivals, neither stable alliances nor effective collective defense can be achieved. As some scholars note, when there is a chronic deficit of mutual trust between states, they tend to interpret each other’s intentions with suspicion, maintain distance, and remain unable to act in a coordinated manner.
Against this backdrop, it becomes clear why issues such as migration, epidemics, and the environment often fall into the realm of securitization – that is, they are treated as threats requiring strict control. Rather than being openly discussed, these topics become taboo. However, there is a growing call for desecuritization, bringing such issues back into the realm of public policy. In particular, the call to desecuritize migration has intensified in recent years; there is a need to shift from viewing migration as a security threat toward supporting mobility and mutual benefit.
Kazakhstan is already implementing a policy of desecuritization in practice by creating conditions for the comfortable integration of migrants and promoting cross-border exchange within Central Asia. The new Migration Policy Concept (2023–2027) marks a shift from strict control toward managed attractiveness: long-term visas have been introduced for investors and skilled professionals, a unified digital portal for tracking movement was launched, and social protections for labor migrants have been expanded.
By the end of 2023, Kazakhstan recorded its first positive migration balance in a decade: over 25,000 arrivals versus 16,000 departures, with the majority of new entrants coming from CIS countries. The country has also expanded its participation in the DAFI scholarship program, enabling young refugees to pursue higher education at Kazakhstan’s universities. This approach reduces marginalization risks and contributes to the accumulation of human capital.
These measures collectively enhance regional security. Legalizing migrant flows curbs the shadow economy and limits the space for extremism. Education and integration of refugees prevent the radicalization of vulnerable groups and strengthen the human capital of host societies. Digitalized logistics and infrastructure investments increase economic interdependence among Central Asian states, raising the cost of conflict and creating incentives for cooperation.
By integrating migration and borders into its sustainable development agenda, Kazakhstan demonstrates that soft governance of human and trade flows is an effective tool for regional stability. Legalization, education, and accelerated commerce contribute to a more resilient and mutually beneficial Central Asia.
The countries of Central Asia are increasingly seeking to conduct independent foreign policies – to diversify their international partnerships and assert greater agency in shaping their own geopolitical agendas. This includes engaging with a variety of global actors such as China, Russia, the United States and the European Union.
The geography of Central Asia is not merely a backdrop, but a key to understanding the entire logic of regional security. Its landlocked position, lack of access to maritime routes, and the absence of a unified transport network create unique conditions. Effective regional cooperation and security can only be achieved through collective effort; no single state or external actor can shoulder this responsibility alone.
Central Asia’s landlocked position, affects virtually all spheres of life, including foreign policy, national security, and the economy. The region shares a border with Afghanistan, which has long raised concerns about the potential spillover of instability across the frontier. This reinforces the need for coordination and mutual trust, but due to the securitization of cross-border issues broadly this has long been lacking.
A positive trend is emerging as countries in the region begin to recognize the importance of internal dialogue and overcoming barriers of mistrust. This shift toward shared responsibility marks an important step toward sustainable peace. For instance, the Consultative Meetings of the Heads of Central Asian states launched in 2018 and leaders meetings have been held regularly since. These summits have provided a platform for the five Central Asian presidents to discuss regional challenges – such as border disputes, water management, and trade – in an atmosphere of cooperation rather than competition. Notably, the March 2025 trilateral agreement between Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan on the demarcation of their mutual borders illustrates how long-standing territorial issues can be addressed through regional dialogue and consensus-building.
Regional security in Central Asia can only be sustainable if it is shaped from within the region itself. Kazakhstan is already playing an active role in this process, acting as an initiator of dialogue and cooperation. Uzbekistan, particularly under President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, has also emerged as a key proponent of regional engagement, prioritizing good-neighborly relations, border resolution, and multilateral cooperation.
However, there is a pressing need to move from individual initiatives toward mature forms of collective responsibility. Today, Central Asia has a genuine opportunity to move beyond the role of a buffer zone and emerge as an independent strategic actor. To achieve this, the countries of the region must learn to view one another not as competitors, but as partners.