Global Economic Cost of Violence Reached $22 Trillion, Tokayev Says
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The global economic cost of violence reached nearly $22 trillion in 2025, equivalent to 10% of world gross domestic product, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said at the Outreach/BRICS Plus plenary session in New Delhi.
Tokayev said regional conflicts affect not only the countries where hostilities take place but also the entire global economy.
"Last year, the global economic cost of violence reached nearly $22 trillion, or 10% of global GDP. This is an alarming signal. We can see that regional conflicts extend far beyond the areas of direct confrontation and have a serious impact on the world economy. Disruptions to major maritime routes have exposed the vulnerability of global energy, food and trade supply chains," Tokayev said.
He said peace and strategic stability were essential for sustainable economic development. The president called for moving beyond the de-escalation of regional conflicts toward lasting stability through political dialogue and diplomacy.
Tokayev also warned of the risk of a new arms race and urged nuclear powers to engage in high-level dialogue, including on reducing risks associated with emerging technologies.
The president also identified declining trust among major powers as a serious problem, saying it limits the United Nations’ ability to carry out its responsibilities effectively. He said reform of the U.N. Security Council should ensure fairer representation for Asia, Africa and Latin America, while emerging middle powers should have a stronger voice in global decision-making.
Turning to economic cooperation, Tokayev said Kazakhstan’s trade with BRICS member and partner countries reached about $72 billion in 2025.
"With significant industrial, transit and technological potential, we intend to diversify our trade, economic and investment ties with all BRICS countries," he said.
Kazakhstan also supports closer cooperation between the Eurasian Economic Union and BRICS, as well as progress toward a free trade agreement with India.
Tokayev identified advanced processing in the energy sector, critical minerals, agriculture, technology transfer and joint investment as promising areas of cooperation. He said the BRICS New Development Bank could consider financing commercially viable projects, including in Kazakhstan.
The president also proposed expanding transport links. The volume of transit cargo passing through Kazakhstan approached 40 million metric tons in 2025. The country’s long-term goal is to increase that figure to 100 million metric tons annually.
"Overall, our transit network already handles up to 85% of overland freight traffic between China and Europe," Tokayev said.
Kazakhstan plans to develop its rail network, ports and digital infrastructure to accelerate cross-border shipments and make them more predictable. Tokayev also highlighted the potential of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route and its integration with the Belt and Road Initiative and the North-South corridor.
He endorsed India’s proposed BRICS Framework for Cooperation on Logistics and Supply Chains.
Tokayev also noted that BRICS represents nearly half of the world’s population and about 40% of global GDP. Kazakhstan views the group as an open platform for practical cooperation that complements the international system centered on the United Nations.
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