Tazeen Akhtar ! Islamabad
The government of the Republic of Turkmenistan hosted International Forum “Peace and Trust: Unity of Purpose for a Sustainable Future,” in Ashgabat to mark the International Year of Peace and Trust 2025 and the 30th anniversary of Turkmenistan’s permanent neutrality.
President Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedow welcomed a large number of heads of states and governments at the capital city for the forum. Pakistan was represented by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif with a large ministerial delegation.
The event, chaired by President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov, was attended by President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin, President of the Republic of Türkiye Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Masoud Pezeshkian, President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, President of the Kyrgyz Republic Sadyr Japarov, President of the Republic of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon, as well as leaders of other states, heads of governments, international and regional organizations.
The heads of delegation then proceeded to the Turkmenistan Congress Center. A joint official photograph of the heads of delegations was held there. Then, with the participation of the President of Turkmenistan, the opening of the International Forum and the plenary session “Peace and Trust: Unity of Purpose for a Sustainable Future” took place.
President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, opening the Forum and welcoming those gathered, noted that he was pleased to see everyone at the International Forum on the occasion of the International Year of Peace and Trust, International Neutrality Day, and the 30th anniversary of Turkmenistan’s permanent neutrality.
On behalf of the Turkmen people, the head of state thanked everyone for participating in the Forum of Peace and Trust, the festive events dedicated to International Neutrality Day, and the 30th anniversary of the international recognition of Turkmenistan’s permanent neutrality.
President Serdar Berdimuhamedov emphasized that the current Forum is viewed as a major, internationally significant event, intended to become a starting point for understanding regional, continental and global processes,affirmation in international politics of the values of peace, cooperation, equality, trust, justice, a culture of dialogue and mutual understanding.
He said, the holding of the International Forum was the result of many years of consistent work by Turkmenistan to establish and consolidate in world politics the principles, values and criteria that, in our opinion, should form the basis, the holding of the International Forum has become the legal and ideological core of the entire modern system of international relations, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov continued.
As noted, the conceptual norms of peace and trust are reflected in Turkmenistan’s national legislation. In September of this year, the Constitutional Law of Turkmenistan “On the Legal Foundations of the Peace and Trust Policy of Neutral Turkmenistan” was adopted.
President Turkmenistan said, the International Year of Peace and Confidence coincides with a significant historical anniversary – the 30th anniversary of the international recognition of our country’s permanent neutrality.
“Having become a political and legal reality, enshrined in decisions of the UN General Assembly, the International Year of Peace and Trust, in accordance with the Constitution of Turkmenistan, and permanent neutrality defines all our actions on the international stage, as well as the visible successes and large-scale results the country has achieved, the head of state emphasized, he mentioned.
The host President added, “Neutrality is a key factor in Turkmenistan’s strategic dialogue with the United Nations, whose 80th anniversary is celebrated worldwide this year. The fact of the constructive and creative influence of the neutral status of the Turkmen state on ensuring international and regional stability and security is obvious, which is confirmed by the growing support for Turkmen neutrality in the United Nations.”
Also indicative is the creation several years ago within the UN, at the initiative of our country, of the “Group of Friends of Neutrality.”
“Neutrality is not a rigid construct, but a living, creative process that keeps pace with the times and responds to new changes and trends. In this context, Turkmenistan promotes preventive diplomacy as an important component of modern international policy,” the head of state noted.
In this regard, it was proposed to use neutrality as a political and practical platform on which it is possible today to develop ways and methods for achieving agreement, compromise and reconciliation.
In this context, based on the rich experience of the Community of Nations in the field of peacekeeping, as well as with the aim of developing the applied nature of neutrality and implementing research and educational activities in this regard, Turkmenistan proposes the creation of a University of Peace and Neutrality in cooperation with the UN, the head of state emphasized, expressing confidence that these initiatives will be supported and confirming his readiness to thoroughly consider them with friends and partners.
It was noted that our neutrality is a natural result of the genuine sovereignty and independence of Turkmenistan.
“We clearly see and highly appreciate the broad support and understanding of our goals and objectives from the international community, numerous friends and like-minded people around the world,” President Serdar Berdimuhamedov continued, noting that this support helps Turkmenistan look to the future with optimism, confidently making plans for further joint work inspires us to constant, active, constructive participation in achieving peace, trust and harmony between peoples, their progress and well-being.
The forum brought together numerous world leaders, heads of international organisations and senior officials from across the globe. It served as an international platform for exchanging views on ways to strengthen multilateral cooperation, build mutual trust and develop effective partnerships that support regional and international security and stability.
The participants of the forum discussed;
- Neutrality, peace, and trust as a basis for sustainable international cooperation
- The nexus between peace and sustainable development
- A culture of peace and dialogue, with a specific emphasis on education, youth, and humanitarian cooperation
The event forms part of the international activities hosted by Turkmenistan on the occasion of the UN-declared International Year of Peace and Trust 2025, which aims to promote constructive dialogue and encourage diplomatic solutions to conflicts.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif along with the President of Turkmenistan and the leaders attending the International Forum, visited the Monument of Neutrality in Ashgabat. A floral wreath laying ceremony was also held at the monument, symbolizing deep respect for our country’s foreign policy and its legal status of permanent neutrality, enshrined in the special resolutions of the UN General Assembly.
Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory letter on Friday to a forum dedicated to the International Year of Peace and Trust held in Ashgabat in Turkmenistan.
The year 2025 marks the International Year of Peace and Trust, which was proposed by Turkmenistan and endorsed by the UN General Assembly, while today also coincides with the 30th anniversary of Turkmenistan’s status as a permanently neutral state, Xi said in his message.
Pakistan Turkmenistan to Further Strengthen Ties Through Trade and Economic Engagements
Turkmenistan’s neutrality is framed as an active foreign-policy identity rooted in peaceful coexistence, conflict prevention, peaceful settlement of disputes, and non-participation in military alliances – a set of principles Turkmen diplomacy argues can help strengthen trust and mutual understanding.
The legal status of permanent neutrality, recognized three times by United Nations General Assembly resolutions, forms the basis of Turkmenistan’s foreign policy course. This legal status, supported by the international community, has strengthened the position of our country as a peacemaking state.
Positive neutrality is an active strategy based on the principles of peace and trust. The country’s foreign policy is aimed at promoting stability, security, and mutual understanding in the region and beyond, and fully aligns with the principles of the United Nations.
Turkmenistan firmly adheres to the norms of international law and the provisions of the UN Charter. The neutrality of Turkmenistan entails the active use of diplomatic, political, and economic tools to prevent conflicts.
Turkmenistan’s positive neutrality in Central Asia serves as an important factor in regional stability and good-neighborly relations. Our country consistently advocates for the development of coordinated solutions to current issues on the regional and international agenda and for effective dialogue.
