Kazakhstan: A Rising Middle Power
As a middle power, Kazakhstan is determined to play its role in the international community at a critical time in world history
By Aditi Bhaduri
25 Oct. 2025: The Republic of Kazakhstan marked it’s 35th Republic Day anniversary. Thirty five years ago on this day in 1990, the country adopted the Declaration of Kazakhstan’s State Sovereignty.
Within thirty five years this Central Asian countries has made giant strides ine felt in the international community its economy, foreign policy, and social development as an emerging middle power. In fact Kazakhstan continues to make its presence felt in the international community and is increasingly playing a vital role in peace building, mediation, and peace keeping.
Kazakhstan has faced it’s fair share of challenges ove these thirty five years – floods, conflict, and even a major uprising in 2022. But it has not deterred the country from marching on the path of progress and development under the wise leadership of President Kasym Jomart Tokayev.
Yet it’s achievements have been striking.
Around 18 million square meters of housing were completed, and 7,000 kilometers of highways were built or repaired. New passenger terminals were inaugurated at the airports in Almaty, Kyzylorda, and Shymkent. Large-scale projects were implemented in the mining, petrochemical, and metallurgical industries. The agricultural sector achieved a record harvest of nearly 27 million tons of grain—the highest in the past decade. The National Infrastructure Plan through 2029 was adopted, outlining more than 200 projects with a total investment exceeding 40 trillion tenge. Kazakhstan attracted $15.7 billion in foreign direct investment for new projects in 2024, marking an 88% increase compared to the previous year.
Along with the above, Kazakhstan is also making strides in being a social state and ensuring social security for its citizens, while promoting the rule of law and fighting corruption.
For instance, pensions, allowances, scholarships, and salaries for civil servants were increased. The legal foundation for the “Keleshek” (Future) voluntary savings system has been laid, and accumulated funds can be used for education in Kazakhstan and abroad, as well as for purchasing housing. A law to reduce citizens’ indebtedness has also been enacted.
By 2029, it is planned to provide rental housing to 10,000 families annually. The national project “Modernization of Rural Healthcare” continues, with medical facilities being constructed in rural areas. The construction of 217 modern schools with a combined capacity for 460,000 students is planned, with 105 schools already completed.
Hundreds of new schools, kindergartens, and sports centers were built nationwide. More than ten branches of leading foreign universities were established. Funding for science was increased.
Kazakhstan’s multi-vector foreign policy is also laudable, pointing to an autonomous pursuance of foreign policy, cultivating good relations with all sides. The President outlined the primary importance of three countries for Kazakhstan: Russia, the US, and China. Despite the complexities of the relations of the US with both Russia and China, Kazakhstan is determined to pursue relations with all of them as that serves Kazakhstan’s interests.
As a middle power, Kazakhstan is determined to play its role in the international community at a critical time when many changes in the world order are taking place with major new alignments and realignment taking shape.
About The Author
