Turkmenistan-UN: priorities of cooperation
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.