Kyrgyzstan aims to be a bridge-builder on UN Security Council

Kyrgyzstan is set to make history in June 2026 as it takes its first-ever seat on the UN Security Council. For the first time in Central Asia, a woman will represent the nation in this principal organ for peace and security. Aida Kasymalieva, Kyrgyzstan's Permanent Representative to the UN, shared the significance of this achievement and the country's diplomatic approach in an interview with UN News.

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We are realists and understand: in the Council, countries with different interests and views meet. But diplomacy is not about eliminating differences. It is about creating a sufficient level of trust for dialogue to continue, despite them. We come to the Council not to divide, but to unite. Because peace is built not only after a crisis. It is created through daily work, to listen, to understand, and not to let misunderstanding turn into conflict.

Kasymalieva articulated Kyrgyzstan's strategy, stating, "We are realists and understand that countries with different interests and views meet in the Council. But diplomacy is not about eliminating differences. It is about creating a sufficient level of trust for dialogue to continue despite them." She stressed that Kyrgyzstan's goal is to unite rather than divide, emphasizing that peace is built through daily work of listening, understanding, and preventing misunderstandings from escalating into conflict.

For Kyrgyzstan, preventive diplomacy is not an abstract concept but a practice rooted in patient dialogue, mutual respect among neighbors, and a preference for compromise over confrontation. The country believes in employing diplomacy before tensions become irreversible. As a Central Asian nation, Kyrgyzstan deeply understands the importance of regional cooperation, viewing its region as a crossroads of cultures, economies, and security interests. Kasymalieva expressed confidence that Central Asia can play a constructive role in strengthening international peace and security, asserting that even sensitive issues can be resolved peacefully with political will, respect, and dialogue.

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As a Central Asian country, Kyrgyzstan understands well the importance of regional cooperation. Our region is at an important crossroads, connecting different cultures, economies, and security interests. We are convinced that Central Asia can play a constructive role in strengthening international peace and security.

During its two-year term, Kyrgyzstan pledges to be a responsible, balanced, and constructive member of the Security Council. The country will champion the principles of the UN Charter and support the peaceful settlement of disputes. Specifically, Kyrgyzstan aims to strengthen preventive diplomacy, enhance peacekeeping effectiveness, protect civilians, promote nuclear disarmament, and give greater attention to the needs of small, landlocked, mountainous, small island developing, and developing states. Kasymalieva suggested that the success of Kyrgyzstan's tenure will ultimately be measured not by the number of speeches or resolutions, but by its ability to prevent conflict and foster dialogue within the Council.

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Ultimately, success is measured not by the number of speeches and not by the number of agreed resolutions. If we manage to prevent at least one conflict and strengthen dialogue between the Council members...