The openness of Turkmenistan, its unwavering commitment to the high principles laid down by the community of nations as the basis for dialogue, largely predetermined its assignment in 1995 of a unique and one-of-a-kind neutral status, delegated to the UN by consensus of 185 countries of the world. It is no coincidence that today neutrality, the 29th anniversary of which Turkmenistan will widely and solemnly celebrate in December of this year, is recognized as an important factor in security and sustainable development in the region.
It is noteworthy that at the 69th session of the UN General Assembly, that the Resolution “Permanent Neutrality of Turkmenistan” was unanimously approved, with the adoption of which the UN reiterated its support for the status of permanent neutrality of Turkmenistan.
By promoting new ideas, Turkmenistan shows qualitatively new approaches to solving important problems of the modern world. This is clearly evidenced by the important international initiatives of the country aimed at ensuring energy security and the reliability of the pipeline infrastructure, as well as establishing global cooperation on the creation of a new international system of transit-vehicle crossings. As is known, these initiatives, which have the broad support and approval of the UN member states, were also strengthened by special resolutions of the UN General Assembly and started the intergovernmental dialogue at the level of the United Nations.
In addition,Turkmenistan put forward a number of other positive proposals from the UN General Assembly and other important councils, including proposals related to ensuring environmental well-being throughout the world and creating all conditions for sustainable social and economic development. Therefore, it is worth noting that Turkmenistan is a co-author of a number of UN General Assembly resolutions that call for sustainable development in all its dimensions, and they regularly find support from UN member states. The most striking examples are the resolutions on the reliability and stability of transit and energy supplies, sustainable transport and permanent neutrality. As an example, on December 19, 2023, at the 48th plenary meeting of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly two resolutions initiated by Turkmenistan - “Strengthening connections between all modes of transport to achieve sustainable development goals” and “The key role of reliable and stable energy connectivity in ensuring sustainable development” were adopted.
Based on the rich and very productive experience of interaction, cooperation between Turkmenistan and the UN acquires new quality and content every year. A striking example of this is our country’s accession to the main international conventions. As is known, today Turkmenistan has acceded to more than 170 international conventions. The repeated election of Turkmenistan over the past years as vice-chairman of the UN General Assembly, inclusion in important structural institutions of the Organization, and the opening of the Regional Center for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia on the initiative of the President of Turkmenistan in Ashgabat testifies to the growing authority of our country in the international arena.
Our country stands for the optimal use of the potential of the United Nations, its political and diplomatic tools, as well as high authority in order to reach constructive solutions and ensure universal and comprehensive security as a key condition for the implementation of all strategic tasks of the UN, including the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.
The growing dynamics inherent in fruitful relations with the United Nations is due, first of all, to the active participation of Turkmenistan in the affairs of the world community, and its desire to provide real assistance in solving pressing problems that concern all of humanity. This position, as well as the foreign policy course of the Turkmen state in general, consistently pursued by the President of Turkmenistan, has received wide recognition and support from the UN.
The current visit of the UN Secretary General, the main point of the program of which is the meeting of Antonio Guterres with the President of Turkmenistan and with high-ranking government officials, is intended to be the next significant step towards the strategic partnership in the Turkmenistan-UN format. According to the data, discussions in Turkmenistan will focus on climate initiatives and local development projects. The agreements that will be reached as a result of the negotiations will serve as a powerful impetus for the implementation of new further joint projects and programs.
Rahym AKMURADOV,
lecturer of the Institute of International Relations
of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan.