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The latest issue of the quarterly scientific and applied journal «Democracy and law» has been published by the Institute of state, law and democracy of Turkmenistan in Turkmen, English and Russian.
The publication opens with a speech by President Serdar Berdimuhamedov at the International forum dedicated to the International year of peace and trust, International neutrality day, and the 30th anniversary of permanent neutrality of Turkmenistan. The head of state noted the international significance of the event, which is intended to serve as a starting point for understanding regional, continental, and global processes, and for affirming the values of peace, cooperation, equality, trust, justice, and a culture of dialogue and mutual understanding in international politics.
Particular emphasis was placed on the adoption in September of last year of the Constitutional law of Turkmenistan «On the legal foundations of the policy of peace and trust of neutral Turkmenistan». Its fundamental principles include neutrality, a firm and unwavering commitment to equality, mutual respect, cooperation, good neighbourliness, non-use of force, prevention of conflicts, resolution of any international issues only by peaceful, political-diplomatic means and methods, non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries, the priority of generally recognised norms of international law, respect for human rights and freedoms, and a number of other obligations.
In his address, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov emphasised that the United Nations views our country as a responsible and effective partner in addressing critical global and regional issues, achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, and promoting fair and balanced approaches to international cooperation across a broad range of areas. Noting that Turkmenistan proposes establishing a university of peace and neutrality in cooperation with the UN, the head of state expressed hope for support for this initiative and declared his readiness to thoroughly consider it with friends and partners.
In a speech by National Leader of the Turkmen People Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov at the above-mentioned International forum, published in the magazine, it is emphasised that for Turkmenistan, neutrality is not just a model of foreign policy, but the foundation of our worldview, our self-perception of our role and responsibility as a state and people, and our unique contribution to the development of modern civilisation.
Throughout 2025, as part of the International year of peace and trust, our country, together with partners from other countries, multilateral associations and institutions, conducted targeted, constructive foreign policy work. It was conducted at various levels in regional and international formats and was united by a common goal – creating conditions for the effective development of international relations in a positive direction, restoring trust in global politics, and establishing a culture of respectful dialogue. Today, these principles and goals seem particularly relevant.
As Hero-Arkadag emphasised in his speech, the defining characteristic of the Forum was its openness and willingness of participants to jointly seek solutions to the most pressing issues of our time, their ability to perceive diverse points of view, and their respectful treatment of the arguments and points of view of the parties. In this context, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov stated that the content and messages of the Forum are forward-looking, focusing on broad horizons of strategic planning, priority setting, and a structured, systematic analysis of global trends in politics, economics, and the social and humanitarian spheres, across a range of sustainable development topics.
It should be noted that the journal contains materials dedicated to the national and international legal foundations of permanent neutrality of Turkmenistan, listing constitutional laws and UN Resolutions from various years.
Readers are also invited to read the article «The Law of Turkmenistan «On the unified state register of voters» - modernisation of electoral law», which notes that the Central commission for conducting elections and referendums in Turkmenistan is the administrator of the state register.
As the author emphasises, the systematic reform of national electoral legislation and its alignment with international standards, along with the implementation of comprehensive measures, confirm the successful implementation of initiatives of the President Serdar Berdimuhamedov. These reforms are aimed at strengthening the political-legal foundations of the Turkmen state, deepening democratic processes, and stimulating civic engagement among the population. In addition, the work being carried out contributes to the improvement of the electoral system and the active implementation of advanced global experience into public practice.
The publication «Implementing humanitarian principles» reveals the value aspects of the policy of permanent neutrality, which are consonant with the fundamental ideals of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, which covers more than one hundred countries. Within this global humanitarian community, our country is represented by the National Red Crescent Society of Turkmenistan (NRCST).
Volunteers play a key role in the implementation of the humanitarian programs of NRCST. The development of a volunteer network is identified as a priority in the Development Strategy of the National Red Crescent Society of Turkmenistan for 2021–2025, as well as in the Youth policy of the NRCST. One of the strategic objectives of this structure is to popularise the culture of volunteerism and encourage the active participation of young people in relevant events and projects.
Among other materials in this issue is the article «Neutrality – the path to peace and trust». The emphasis here is on the fact that Turkmenistan, which has been a proponent of peaceful coexistence for centuries, is today effectively using its legal status of permanent neutrality. The state is implementing large-scale initiatives aimed at resolving pressing international issues through diplomatic dialogue, as well as ensuring global security and sustainable progress based on the principles of mutual trust.
Particularly noteworthy is the fact that, in the three decades since Turkmenistan acquired its neutral status, a number of UN General Assembly resolutions have been adopted at its initiative in strategic areas such as energy, transport, ecology, and sports. This serves as confirmation that every proposal put forward by our country is aimed at resolving issues of global significance and finds broad support from the international community.
The article «The Avaza political declaration: a positive experience in international relations of neutral Turkmenistan» emphasises the importance of the Third UN Conference on landlocked developing countries, which was held from the 5th to 8th of August, 2025, in the «Avaza» National tourist zone.
The author notes that Turkmenistan, with its advantageous geostrategic location at the junction of two continents, effectively realises its transit potential to improve all types of transport communications. In this context, the «sea gateway» of country is of particular importance, as its significant resource potential facilitates the expansion of international shipping and the strengthening of foreign economic relations.
Readers will be interested in the publication «Development of housing legislation in Turkmenistan», which emphasises the social orientation of state policy, expressed in the large-scale construction and commissioning of luxury housing. Particular emphasis is placed on the development of legal and organisational mechanisms for targeted support for young people, facilitating the provision of affordable housing for the younger generation.
The publication also presents the results of the «Creative work and human rights» competition, announced by the National centre of trade unions of Turkmenistan jointly with the «Democracy and law» magazine of the Institute of state, law and democracy of Turkmenistan. The results of the intellectual competition were announced on the 22nd of December, 2025, as part of the conference «Permanent neutrality of Turkmenistan: principles for the implementation of human rights and creative work», dedicated to the 30th anniversary of the neutrality of the country and International human rights day.
The latest issue announces the 2026 competition for scientific and practical articles, «Creative work and human rights», held annually to communicate to the general public the significance of ongoing reforms and the permanent neutrality of our state, as well as the triumph of civil liberties and rights reflected in current laws.
The publication concludes with the traditional «Chronicle» section, which offers readers an overview of forums, meetings, conferences, seminars, and other events held in the country and abroad with the participation of representatives of authoritative organisations.
