CONFERENCE DEDICATED TO “ADVANCING THE PEACE: IMPLEMENTING STRATEGIES TO BUILD TRUST AMONG COUNTRIES”
On April 11, 2024, a conference entitled “Advancing the Peace: Implementing Strategies to
Build Trust among Countries” was held at the Institute of International Relations of the Ministry
of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan.
The heads of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan, diplomatic missions and
international organizations located in Turkmenistan, representatives of the Mejlis of
Turkmenistan, the Academy of Sciences of Turkmenistan, representatives of the mass media of
Turkmenistan, as well as experts, professors and students participated in this conference. The
Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan
Rashid Meredov, Special Representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Head of
the UN Regional Center for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia Kaha Imnadze, Permanent
Coordinator of the United Nations in Turkmenistan Dimitry Shlapachenko, head of the Ashgabat
Center of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe John McGregor made
speeches and an online speech of Deputy Director-General of the World Trade Organization
(WTO) Xiangchen Zhang as well as the video broadcasts of the experts of the United Nations,
Assistant Secretary General, Assistant Administrator and Director of the Regional Bureau for
Europe and CIS of United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Ms. Ivana Živković,
Assistant Director-General, Regional Representative for Europe and Central Asia of the United
Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Mr.Viorel Gutu, Regional Director for Europe
and Central Asia at the United Nations Development Coordination Office (UNDCO) Ms. Gwi-
Yeop Son, Tatiana Molcean, Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive
Secretary of UNECE emphasized the special role of this adopted resolution in strengthening peace
and security in the world.
Participants of conference made speeches on the importance and urgency of the Resolution
“2025 - The Year of International Peace and Trust” unanimously adopted on the initiative of
Turkmenistan during the 63rd plenary session of the 78th session of the United Nations General
Assembly on March 21, 2024.
The work of the conference continued in the thematic sessions such as “Political,
humanitarian and diplomatic mechanisms for conflict resolution and confidence-building”; “The
role of international organizations in supporting and promoting peace processes”; “Economic
aspects of supporting sustainable development and peace”, where participants discussed various
approaches and tools used to resolve conflicts and build trust between the parties; best practice
strategies of international organizations; considered economic factors contributing to sustainable
development and peacebuilding; and “The role of international organizations in supporting peace
processes”. Also, there was emphasized significance of foreign policy initiatives of Turkmenistan.
As it is known, on the basis of these initiatives, 2021 was declared as the “International Year of
Peace and Trust”, 2023 as the “International Year of Dialogue as a Guarantee of Peace”, and
December 12 as the “International Day of Neutrality” and “2025 - Year of International Peace and
Trust” by the Resolution of the UN General Assembly and the adoption of the resolution indicate
that Turkmenistan promotes peace and security in the world.
In conclusion, on behalf of the participants of the conference “Advancing the Peace:
Implementing Strategies to Build Trust among Countries” adopted an Appeal to the esteemed
President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedow.
Kerim BAYMYRADOV,
the 3rd year student of the Faculty of International Relations of the
Institute of International Relations of the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan.