On February 18, the Institute of International Relations of the Foreign Ministry of Turkmenistan has hosted scientific conference “Diplomacy of Turkmenistan – History, Present, Future”, which was timed to the Day of Diplomatic Workers of the country.

Management and personnel of national diplomatic service, heads of diplomatic missions and international organizations accredited in Turkmenistan, rectors, teachers and students of higher educational institutes have taken part in the forum. Representatives of public organizations, local and international mass media have been also invited to the conference.

The participants have listened greeting message of President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov sent to diplomatic personnel on occasion of their professional holiday and current conference with great attention.

In his message to the participants of the forum, the head of Turkmenistan has expressed the confidence that current conference would give big opportunities for substantial exchange of views on positive practice of our foreign policy and diplomacy of our state as well as on special contribution in strengthening of peace.

It was highlighted during the conference that our country steadily pursue constructive foreign course aimed at expansion of multidimensional international cooperation, consolidation of the efforts of the world community for achievement of the Sustainable development goals in regional and global scale under the leadership of President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov.

This forward-looking strategy and the constructive initiatives put forward by the leader of the nation receive universal approval and support. The currency and relevance of these initiatives are indicated by unanimous adoption of the Resolution on declaration of 2021 as International Year of Peace and Trust at the initiative of Turkmenistan adopted at the 73^rd session of the United Nations General Assembly. The slogan of this year “Turkmenistan – Home of Peace and Trust” declared in our country is consonant with the UN Resolution in essence.

It is remarkable that International Year of Peace and Trust has been forestalled by the 25^th anniversary of Turkmenistan’s neutrality. The last 2020 has been marked with this anniversary date.

The initiative of President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, which was embodied in the above-mentioned Resolution of the UN General Assembly, comes from the basic principles and key objectives of the policy of positive neutrality of Turkmenistan, which tries to realize its peacemaking and creative potential for common wealth and progress.

It was highlighted that effective implementation of foreign policy of our independent and neutral state and protection of its national interests are the main criteria of work of national diplomatic service. In this context, the participants have also noted an important contribution of Turkmen diplomacy to strengthening of friendship, good neighborliness, understanding and trust on regional and global levels.

Owing to actual support of President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, the equipment and facility base of diplomatic service of Turkmenistan is systematically improved and its infrastructure is modernized. The «Türkmenistanyň ussat diplomaty» insignia has been instituted by the Resolution signed by the head of the state this month.

The network of diplomatic missions and consulate departments of our country is expanded abroad every year dynamically developing relations and beneficial cooperation with neighboring countries and with countries located in other regions of the planet, initiating and implementing major infrastructural projects with foreign partners.

Following the realties and time demands, new impulse has been given to the development of national diplomatic school where priority role is given to training of qualified personnel. It provides the necessity of opening of new specialties, active, implementation of advanced digital technologies and innovative methods to educational process, beneficial exchange of practice with leading foreign profile universities.

In the last years, our country initiates the development of such actual directions of diplomacy as economic, transport, energy, ecological, water, cultural and spot diplomacy.

Special attention is paid to realization of the potential of preventive diplomacy, efficient application of such instruments as regulation of disputes and conflicts by political and diplomatic methods, peacemaking and measures for strengthening of trust.

Today, following the complicated situation in the world, which was caused by coronavirus pandemic, the start of the channels of scientific and medical diplomacy is one of the priorities. The proposal of President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov on establishment of the mechanisms of profile cooperation under the UN aegis and its specialized structures, the World Health Organization, is aimed at the solution of this objective.

Diplomatic corps of Turkmenistan, which represents the interests of the Motherland in international organizations and abroad, puts forward steadfast practical realization of the initiatives of the leader of the nation, which are to support the development of balanced solutions of current issues, intensification of multidimensional partnership on the principles of mutual respect, equality and constructiveness, as the main goal.

In the end of the conference, the participants have made a gratitude message to President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, in which they have expressed sincere gratitude to the head of the state for permanent attention to the work of national diplomatic service and assured that they would put all efforts for successful solution of all set objectives.

The award ceremony of diplomas of the Foreign Ministry to young employees of diplomatic service and graduates of the Institute of International Relations has taken place on occasion of professional holiday.

Thematic exhibition timed to the Day of Diplomatic Workers of the country and dedicated to the 30^th anniversary of independence, 25^th anniversary of permanent neutrality of the Motherland and current year of 2021, which is held under slogan “Turkmenistan – Home of Peace and Trust”, has been held in the Institute of International Relations of the Foreign Ministry under the forum.