For the years of independence, white-marble capital of our Motherland, Ashgabat, which marks its 140th anniversary this year, has been a place of international forums, which agenda included current modern issues, for many times. This is another evidence of high authority of our country in the world arena, wide support of foreign course, which is based on the principles of positive neutrality, peace and good neighborliness.

Speaking at International Conference Policy of Neutrality and its Significance in Provision of Universal Peace, Security and Sustainable Development dedicated to the 25th anniversary of neutrality of the country in Ashgabat, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov highlighted that receiving of internationally recognized status of permanent neutrality by Turkmenistan has become a historical event for our country. It predetermined the direction and content of foreign policy of Turkmen state, made big positive effect on internal development, fulfillment of major national plans in the economy and social sphere, establishment and strengthening of democratic institutes.

For the past quarter of century, neutral Turkmenistan has recommended itself as an actual mechanism for establishment of fruitful cooperation, strengthening of friendly neighboring relations between the states and nations. It is visually indicated by the UN General Resolutions on Role and importance of the policy of neutrality in support and strengthening of global peace, security and sustainable development as well as by the declaration of December 12 as International Neutrality Day and 2021 as International Year of Peace and Trust.

Creative character of Turkmenistan’s neutrality and its principles are reflected in multidimensional diplomacy of our state. Partnership with the United Nations, to which both sides give a strategic character, is an evidence of undisputable success of this strategy.

Based on accumulated rich experience of cooperation, this traditional dialog has received new specific content. It is visually indicated by the fact that independent neutral Turkmenistan has been several times elected as the vice-charring country of the UN General Assembly, namely of the 58th, 62nd, 64th, 71st and 75th assemblies, as well as to the composition of competent structures and economic institutes of this big international organization.

Today, number of specialized agencies and establishments of the United Nations such as the UN Development Program, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, UNICEF, World Health Organization, Office on Drugs and Crime, the UN Population Fund, International Migration Organization and other work in Ashgabat on permanent base.

Opening of the UN Regional Center of Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia in 2007 was a remarkable event in the history of bilateral cooperation.

Today, cooperation of Turkmenistan with competent organizations includes almost all main spheres – from provision of security to gender equality, from ecological problems to the protection of migrants’ rights. International forums, which agenda included current modern issues, have been held in Ashgabat under the UN aegis. It includes International Conference of Central Asia and Caspian Basin States on Disarmament, High-level Dialog Between the UN and Central Asia on implementation of the UN Global Counterterrorism Strategy, International Conference "Reliable and Stable Transit of Energy Carriers and its Role in Provision of Sustainable Development and International Cooperation”, Global Conference for Sustainable Transport, Conference of the Regional Economic Cooperation for Afghanistan (RECCA II) and other.

Neutral status gives favorable opportunities to Turkmenistan for participation of international humanitarian activity, in particular, in provision of assistance to refugees and stateless people. Being a permanent member of the Executive Committee of the UN Higher Commissioner’s Program for refugees and members of International Migration Organization, our country makes significant input to the solution of this complicated global problem. It was reflected in International Conference “Refugees in Muslim World” and International Conference for Migration and Stateless held in Ashgabat.

Joining a number of important UN Conventions, Turkmenistan strictly follows its obligations and demonstrates the willingness to use its peace-making and creative potential for the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals announced by the UN.

The initiatives made by President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, which are to support the consolidation of joint efforts in such directions as the formation of new architecture of energy security, development of transit and transport corridors, recovery of the Aral Sea crisis consequences have been fully understood by the world community, which was set out in relevant Resolutions of the UN General Assembly. 

Having biggest in the world gas reserves, Turkmenistan stands as a supporter of fair and equal access to energy resources of the planet. Formation of reliable and stable system of energy flows, which takes into account the interests of all participants, is one of the ways to achieve this goal.

Cooperation of Turkmenistan with Asian Pacific and Middle East states have been activated recently. Multidimensional dialog is developed with the European Union on constructive basis. This is indicated by dozens of implemented and current joint projects and programs in education, environmental protection, economic, water management, public democratization and human rights spheres.

In this aspect, an important role is given to the European Union Representative Office in Turkmenistan opened in Ashgabat in 2019, which is to give an impulse, more active and efficient character to the development of cooperation and to support successful realization of the EU new strategy for Central Asia in general.

Our country pays special attention to close partnership with the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, cooperation with which have a long-term character and is carried out on systematic basis. For the last few years, the OSCE Center in Ashgabat has organized a number of international events in such pressing issues as energy security, combating extremism, countering use of internet for terroristic purposes, role of women in provision of security and development process in close cooperation with the government of Turkmenistan.

Development of relations with the Commonwealth of Independent States countries is one of the directions of foreign course, Ashgabat has repeatedly hosted the CIS meetings and forums including the session of the heads of the states and prime ministers of the Commonwealth. Being a chairman of the Commonwealth of Independent States in 2012 and 2019, Turkmenistan demonstrated its serious and responsible approach to fulfilment of this important mission supporting the development of fruitful interstate relations in many spheres.

Targeted efforts are put for creation of common economic and humanitarian space of the state members of the Economic Cooperation Organization, in which Turkmenistan took over the chairing this this year.

Having rich natural resources, significant scientific, technical and personnel potential, Turkmenistan has made a giant breakthrough in economic development for the years of independence. Today, our country successfully implements big programs in industrialization, diversification and digitization of national economy. Wide support of private business and favorable investment climate support the development of foreign relations of the state, strengthening of productive partnership with leading world companies, competent financial structures.

Regular business forum held in Ashgabat are exemplary in this aspect. Specialized reviews organized by Trade and Industrial Chamber, profile ministries and departments, Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs  present an interest for exchange of practice, attraction of investments and new technologies, promotion of local goods in foreign markets and establishment of direct business contacts.

It is planned to organize International high-level conference dedicated to the strengthening of multilateral cooperation for achievement of global peace and trust, security and sustainable development in Ashgabat this year, which is marked with the 30th anniversary of Turkmenistan’s independence. VI Summit of the Heads of the Caspian States, XV Summit of the Economic Cooperation organization, other international forums and conferences with participations of foreign delegations will also be held.