CONFERENCE DEDICATED TO THE ADOPTION OF THE RESOLUTION ENTITLED “THE ROLE AND SIGNIFICANCE OF THE POLICY OF NEUTRALITY IN MAINTAINING AND STRENGTHENING INTERNATIONAL PEACE, SECURITY, AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT”
Comprehensive support for constructive international dialogue – with the aim of jointly and actively participating in resolving the crucial issues of the modern era, consolidating global peace and stability, and developing effective cooperation at regional and global levels – constitutes a strategically vital dimension of Turkmenistan’s foreign policy and diplomacy. Adhering to its policy of permanent Neutrality, Turkmenistan puts forward key initiatives to host international forums, conferences, and negotiation platforms. Admitted as a full member of the UN on March 2, 1992, Turkmenistan has since then consistently pursued an active and positive policy as a responsible member of the global community to ensure global peace, security, and sustainable development. This strategic partnership serves not only bilateral interests but has also transformed into an essential mechanism for ensuring the prosperity of the entire Central Asian region and the world.
Regularly putting forward crucial initiatives from the high rostrum of the UN that carry not only regional but also global significance, Turkmenistan has seen numerous historic Resolutions adopted on the basis of these proposals. In order to communicate these adopted Resolutions to the global community, appropriate work is being carried out across all sectors. Accordingly, on May 23, 2026, a conference was held at the Institute of International Relations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan to mark the adoption of the Resolution entitled “The Role and Significance of the Policy of Neutrality in Maintaining and Strengthening International Peace, Security, and Sustainable Development”. This resolution was adopted at the 82nd plenary meeting of the 80th session of the UN General Assembly at the initiative of Turkmenistan.
This Resolution has now been adopted from the UN rostrum for the second time at the initiative of Turkmenistan. As is well known, on December 7, 2020, during the 75th session of the UN General Assembly, the Resolution entitled “The Role and Significance of the Policy of Neutrality in Maintaining and Strengthening International Peace, Security, and Sustainable Development” was first adopted unanimously at the initiative of Turkmenistan. Co-sponsored by 34 UN member states, this vital document confirms that the policy of neutrality occupies a major role in resolving the pressing issues on the contemporary global agenda. Furthermore, the unanimous adoption of the Resolution entitled “The Role of the Policy of Neutrality in Maintaining and Strengthening International Peace, Security, and Sustainable Development in the Organization of Islamic Cooperation Region and Throughout the World” at the initiative of our country during the 47th session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation on November 27–28, 2020, carries profound significance.
On the eve of the event, the conference participants viewed an exhibition displayed in the foyer of the Institute, featuring treasures of our national applied arts as well as creative works that illustrate the essence of prosperity and peace.
At the opening of the conference, G. Yusupova, Rector of the Institute of International Relations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan, delivered the welcoming remarks and moderated the session. Following this, the statements of the distinguished guests attending the conference were heard. The conference featured speeches by Rashid Meredov, Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan, Aksoltan Atayeva, Head of the Department of Peace and Neutrality at the Institute of International Relations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan, Chynar Rustemova, Executive Secretary of the National Commission of Turkmenistan for UNESCO, Narine Sahakyan, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Resident Representative in Turkmenistan, Qian Naicheng, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People’s Republic of China to Turkmenistan, Elizabeth Rood, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to Turkmenistan, and Armands Pupols, Adviser on Human Rights and Political Affairs at the UNRCCA (United Nations Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia).
The speakers specifically emphasized that the United Nations views our country as a responsible and effective partner in resolving crucial global and regional issues, achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, and formulating equitable and harmonious approaches to international cooperation across a broad spectrum of endeavors. They stressed that the adoption of the Resolution: “The Role and Significance of the Policy of Neutrality in Maintaining and Strengthening International Peace, Security and Sustainable Development” – unanimously approved during the 80th session of the UN General Assembly and co-sponsored by 47 states – serves as a symbol of the profound respect and honor accorded to our Independent Motherland, further elevating the contemporary relevance of the Turkmen model of Neutrality. Furthermore, they underscored that the new Resolution recognizes the significance of various initiatives put forward by our country over the years, as well as international events hosted within our Fatherland. This is vividly reflected in the growing support for Turkmen Neutrality within the United Nations. More precisely, the unanimous adoption of the UN General Assembly Resolutions entitled “Permanent Neutrality of Turkmenistan” in 1995, 2015, and 2025; the proclamation of 2023 as the “International Year of Dialogue as a Guarantee of Peace”, the declaration of 2021 and 2025 as the “International Year of Peace and Trust”, the ongoing activities of the “Turkmenistan – the UN” Strategic Consultative Council; and the adoption of more than 30 Resolutions concerning vital issues on the international agenda altogether demonstrate our country’s high prestige as a reliable partner of the Community of Nations. Additional proof of this includes the inclusion of December 12th in the global calendar as International Neutrality Day at the initiative of our country, as well as the creation of the Group of Friends of Neutrality for the Sake of Peace, Security, and Development. These examples testify to the fact that Neutrality and its foundational principles are becoming increasingly relevant and essential in the practice of international relations.
At the conclusion of the conference, an Address to the President of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdimuhamedov, was adopted on behalf of the participants of the event dedicated to the adoption of the Resolution entitled “The Role and Significance of the Policy of Neutrality in Maintaining and Strengthening International Peace, Security, and Sustainable Development”.
Maya Atajanova,
Senior Lecturer at the Department of World Languages
of the Institute of International Relations
of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan