Tokayev estimates global cost of violence at nearly $22 trillion at BRICS Plus summit

The global economic cost of violence in 2025 reached almost $22 trillion, or 10% of global GDP. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Kursiv Media.

Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev made the statement at the plenary session of the BRICS Plus summit in New Delhi, according to Akorda.

The outreach / BRICS Plus session was dedicated to strengthening resilience, innovation, cooperation and stability. Tokayev thanked Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his hospitality and for organizing the meeting.

"It is symbolic that our meeting is taking place in New Delhi — a city that embodies India's unique and rich cultural heritage. In the year of the 20th anniversary of cooperation within BRICS, India's chairmanship has given special impetus to a most relevant agenda focused on people's interests and based on the principle of 'Humanity above all'," the President of Kazakhstan said.

According to him, BRICS countries represent almost half of the planet's population and account for 40% of global GDP. This gives the association significant opportunities, but at the same time places on it the responsibility to overcome disunity and achieve concrete results.

Tokayev noted that it is impossible to fully realize this potential without addressing the fundamental problems of the world community and restoring trust between leading powers.

The President referred to the Global Peace Index 2026, whose authors use the concept of "Great Fragmentation." It describes a period of geopolitical confrontation, increased militarization, weakening of multilateral institutions and growing trade barriers.

"We see that regional conflicts go far beyond the zones of direct confrontation and have a serious impact on the world economy. The disruption of the most important sea routes has revealed the vulnerability of global energy, food and trade chains," Tokayev said.

Earlier, Kursiv wrote that Kazakhstan has been participating in BRICS as a partner country since January 1, 2025. On the eve of the summit, Kazakhstan and India signed framework agreements worth $122 million, and the Kazakh business delegation visited enterprises in Chennai in the fields of robotics, AI, semiconductors and Industry 4.0 technologies.