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The latest issue of the quarterly scientific and applied “Democracy and Law” Journal has been published by the Institute of State, Law, and Democracy of Turkmenistan in Turkmen, English, and Russian.
The publication covers the main areas of state policy in the country, as well as international cooperation in the field of law.
The first pages of the journal feature President Serdar Berdimuhamedov’s speech at the expanded meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers held on February 13, 2026. It emphasizes that, as a result of the hard work of our people during the past International Year of Peace and Trust, great successes have been achieved, plans have been fulfilled, and work on the development and implementation of modern laws has continued. At the same time, the high rate of economic development has been maintained.
The President of Turkmenistan noted that a number of international events were held to mark the year’s motto, “International Year of Peace and Trust”, as well as the 30th anniversary of Turkmenistan’s legal neutrality.
An international forum dedicated to International Neutrality Day was held with the participation of heads of state and leaders of reputable organizations. Important resolutions and documents were adopted, enhancing our country’s standing.
As President Serdar Berdimuhamedov emphasized, each year has a specific motto. This year has been declared as “Independent Neutral Turkmenistan – Homeland of Purposeful Winged Steeds”. This motto is of great significance and inspires us to work towards further enhancing the authority of an independent, permanently neutral Turkmenistan and the prosperity of our homeland. At the same time, this places a great responsibility on us. Therefore, we must work selflessly to practically implement the year’s motto, the head of state said.
The President of Turkmenistan emphasized in his speech that a number of international events dedicated to the year’s motto will be held in 2026. In this regard, the President signed a Resolution establishing a State Organizing Committee to organize high-level events planned for the current year.
As noted, the Program adopted for this year includes a very large amount of work, the priority goal of which is the further prosperity and development of our homeland. The head of state expressed firm confidence that, together with the people, united by dedicated work, all new milestones set for 2026 will be achieved.
In her article, “Turkmenistan – UNESCO: Cooperation for Peace and Development”, Chinar Rustemova, Executive Secretary of the National Commission for UNESCO, notes that the legal status of permanent Neutrality, which forms the foundation of Turkmenistan’s foreign policy and has been recognized three times by UN General Assembly resolutions and supported by the international community, strengthens the country’s position as a peacemaker in the region and internationally.
The author emphasizes that cooperation with the UN is a key vector of neutral Turkmenistan’s peace-loving foreign policy. In the context of strategic dialogue, productive collaboration with UNESCO, Turkmenistan’s specialized agency for science, education, and culture, is essential. It is worth noting that our country is implementing a wide range of programs and projects aimed at ensuring peace, security, and sustainable development through science, education, culture, communication, and information.
Readers are presented with the materials of the regular meeting of the Interdepartmental Commission for Ensuring the Fulfillment of Turkmenistan’s International Obligations in the Field of Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law, published in the journal. The meeting, which was held on February 23 at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, was attended by representatives of the Mejlis, ministries, agencies, and public organizations. The results of the Interdepartmental Commission’s work over the past year were summarized and priority tasks for the current year were identified.
As emphasized, during the reporting period, work was carried out to further democratize the country and strengthen the national legislative system, establish active and effective cooperation with United Nations agencies and other international organizations, implement international initiatives, and fulfill international obligations based on the priority of human rights and humanitarian law.
An important area of improving labor organization and safety is focused on a scientific and innovative approach to ensure the effective realization of citizens’ intellectual potential. In this regard, it was noted that Turkmenistan is conducting relevant work in partnership with the International Labor Organization (ILO) within the framework of multilateral conventions to create decent working conditions and protect the rights of all parties involved in labor relations.
The article further touches on Turkmenistan’s responsible approach to fulfilling its international obligations to protect children’s rights. One illustrative example of this is the work of the Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov Charitable Foundation for Assistance to Children in Need of Guardianship, which serves as an important tool for the practical implementation of measures to ensure the well-being of children.
Particular attention is paid to the importance of regularly held seminars, forums, and consultations on the preparation of national reports and reviews in accordance with international UN documents, as well as the study of best practices in the field of human rights protection.
Other materials in this issue include an article by Yagmyr Nuryyev, Director of the Institute of State, Law, and Democracy of Turkmenistan and Doctor of Law, “Harmonization of the National Legal System with International Law”. The author of the publication notes that the development of international trade, economic, transport, and logistics relations, as well as the interconnectedness of states in all areas of natural resource management, deepen the interaction between international and domestic law.
This facilitates the harmonious development of national and international legal systems, ensuring the rule of law and the development of a system of international relations. In neutral Turkmenistan, this task is effectively addressed through national mechanisms for implementing international law. Harmonization of the national legal system with international law and Turkmenistan’s international initiatives, based on the modern concept of Turkmenistan’s neutrality, are aimed at strengthening peace and trust and ensuring favorable conditions for sustainable development.
The latest issue of the journal features an article by Dovlet Amanmuradov, research fellow at the Institute of State, Law, and Democracy of Turkmenistan, entitled “The Legal Basis of the Occupational Safety and Health System in Turkmenistan”. It notes that in the era of the Revival of a new era of a powerful state, the motto of 2026, “Independent Neutral Turkmenistan – the Homeland of Purposeful Winged Steeds”, reflecting the pace and strategic directions of the country’s further comprehensive, harmonious development, as well as the tasks set, inspire improvement and modern technological innovation.
The Basic Law of Turkmenistan, based on universally recognized norms of international law regarding human rights and freedoms, centuries-old experience of national statehood, the principles of peace, friendship, justice, humanism, an unwavering love for the Motherland, unity, and hard work, consistently strengthens the foundations of our independence and neutrality, ensures the dynamic development of the country, and further improves the well-being of citizens. The legislative framework is being consistently strengthened to protect workers’ rights, ensure their equal rights and freedoms, and ensure their rights to work, education, health care, and social security. Today, Turkmenistan is introducing appropriate management systems to ensure safe working conditions, installing modern equipment in the workplace, using personal and collective protective equipment, and implementing engineering and technical measures in accordance with international legal standards.
The scientific, practical, and informational articles submitted for the “Creative Work and Human Rights” competition will be of particular interest to readers. The Institute of State, Law, and Democracy of Turkmenistan, through its journal “Democracy and Law”, announces an annual competition to raise awareness of the importance of ongoing constitutional reforms and our country’s permanent Neutrality, as well as the triumph of civil liberties and rights reflected in current laws.
The author of the competition publication, “Career Guidance for Youth – a Modern Challenge”, and PhD in Economics, Jeren Hanayeva, notes that our country is effectively working to cultivate a highly educated younger generation with a refined worldview, a profound love for their homeland, and a responsible approach to life, as well as to develop mentorship. All the conditions are being created to foster modern mentor-student relationships, and fruitful work is being done to nurture a new generation of specialists.
The latest entry in the competition, “Development Paths of Criminal Procedure Law and International Practice”, reveals important innovations and transformations that have occurred in global and domestic criminal procedure law in recent years, primarily related to the introduction of digital technologies into criminal proceedings, strengthening human rights protection, and expanding international cooperation.
Readers should also pay attention to the competition entry, “International and National Legal Norms in the Field of Intellectual Property”. As the author notes, productive work is underway in the country to organize an intellectual property protection system in accordance with international standards and ensure guarantees for the protection of citizens’ rights in this area at the national and international levels, as intellectual potential and innovative economic development can become a source of competitive advantage on the global stage through the effective use of intellectual property (technology, trademarks, copyright, etc.).
The magazine concludes with the traditional “Chronicle” section, which offers an overview of events, meetings, conferences, seminars, and other activities that took place in the country and abroad in January–March of the current year, with the participation of representatives of authoritative organizations.
