Priority positions of Turkmenistan at 78th session of General Assembly of the UN
Turkmenistan considers the current 78th session of the UN General Assembly as a period that requires all member states to demonstrate the highest responsibility and foresight. The situation in the world, characterized by the escalation of military and political confrontation, the spread of conflict potential, the creation of new threats and challenges and an obvious crisis of confidence, undermines the foundations of the global architecture of interstate relations and the established international legal system.
As well as Turkmenistan has been pursuing peacekeeping and peace building policy for centuries. A clear evidence of this is the membership of Turkmenistan in one of the main international organization of the world for maintaining peace and sustainability. Turkmenistan became the member of the UN on 2nd of March in 1992. The foreign policy of Turkmenistan draws attention and supports the undertakings of other member states to such worldwide problems as peace, security and sustainable development, ecology, the environmental protection, climate change, health and well-being as well as the humanitarian sphere. The former positions of Turkmenistan are also compatible to the aims of the UN.
One of the positions of Turkmenistan is to keep peace and sustainable development at local and global level. However, to prepare the draft of the plan named “The Strategy of priority positions of foreign policy of Turkmenistan for short time”. It is also proposed to develop a draft of the “Medium-term Strategy on the main directions of Turkmenistan's foreign policy”. The development of this document will be carried out taking into account the geopolitical conditions in various regions, including in the regions close to Central Asia, as well as on the basis of the “Concept of the foreign policy direction of independent Turkmenistan for 2022-2028”.
Today, strengthening regional and global cooperation in the field of security is one of the main tasks. In order to continue effective relations in this field, it is proposed to develop a draft of the “Plan for 2023-2025 on the activation of international cooperation of the relevant government agencies of Turkmenistan in the fight against terrorism”. In this regard, there are ample opportunities to intensify cooperation with the UN, European Union, OSCE, Organization of Islamic Cooperation, other prestigious organizations, neighboring and other countries.
Along with this, it is proposed to develop the project “Program for the development of international cooperation of Turkmenistan in the field of tourism for 2024-2025”. As mentioned, the country with a rich historical and cultural heritage and natural values has a huge potential in this system. The program will focus on intensifying relations with international tourism organizations, exchanging experience with foreign partners, and holding joint events. Also, a proposal to develop a draft of the “Concept for the development of the international exhibition business of Turkmenistan for the years 2024-2025” was submitted to the consideration of the Turkmen leader. The document will define the goals, tasks and main directions of cooperation in this field, and will define measures to support local producers, entrepreneurs, and related organizations.
This year, the Turkmen side plans to put forward an initiative to develop a Global Security Strategy. Along with this, it will be proposed to create a permanent structure for security issues in Central Asia and hold its first meeting in 2024 in Ashgabat. Another proposal of our country concerns the creation of a Counter-Terrorism Program for Central Asia jointly with the UN Counter-Terrorism Office. At the 78th session of the UN General Assembly, the initiative of Turkmenistan to hold a major international forum on food security in cooperation with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the World Food Program the World Health Organization, and the United Nations Children's Fund will also be announced.
In addition, it will be proposed to organize an international conference of the Group of Friends of Neutrality, formed at the initiative of our country on the basis of the UN, as well as to start exploring the possibilities of creating an Institute of Neutrality and Security in December 2024 in Ashgabat in Turkmenistan.
On the occasion of declaring November 26 as World Sustainable Transport Day, Turkmenistan will put forward an initiative to hold a high-level Conference within the framework of the Ashgabat process during the regular session of the UN General Assembly. At the same time, Turkmenistan will voice proposals on the creation of the “Caspian Environmental Initiative” and the UN Council on the use of water resources in the countries of Central Asia, headquartered in Ashgabat.
In connection with the 75th anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the 30th anniversary of the Vienna Declaration and Program of Action, Turkmenistan plans to hold relevant events together with the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. Our country will also propose to organize a regional conference on the elimination of statelessness in 2024.
Among other initiatives that will be announced at the 78th session of the UN General Assembly are the holding of the founding meeting of the Central Asian Youth Dialogue in Turkmenistan, as well as the organization in 2024, together with UNESCO and TURKSOY of the International Week of Turkic Languages, dedicated to the 300th anniversary of Magtymguly Pyragy. Along with this, it will be proposed to adopt a resolution on the World Day of Turkic Languages.
Dovletyar ARCHAMYRADOV,
the 3rd year student of the Faculty of International Relations
of the Institute of International Relations
of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan.