TÜRKMENISTANYŇ DÖWLET, HUKUK WE DEMOKRATIÝA INSTITUTY
On 12 December 2025, the International Forum was held in Ashgabat on the occasion of the International Year of Peace and Trust, International Neutrality Day and the 30th anniversary of permanent neutrality of Turkmenistan. The event was attended by high-level delegations from countries all over the world, as well as international and regional organizations.
On behalf of the Turkmen people, the head of state thanked everyone for participating in the Forum of Peace and Trust, in the celebrations dedicated to the International Day of Neutrality and the 30th anniversary of the international recognition of Turkmenistan’s permanent neutrality.
President Serdar Berdimuhamedov emphasized that the current Forum is considered a major, internationally significant event, aimed to become a starting point for understanding regional, continental and global processes, and for upholding the values of peace, cooperation, equality, trust, justice, a culture of dialogue, as well as mutual understanding of international politics.
“The International Forum is held as a result of Turkmenistan’s many years of consistent work aimed at establishing and consolidating in world politics the principles, values and criteria which, in our view, should form the basis, legal and ideological core of the entire modern system of international relations”, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov said.
The constructive and inspired influence of Turkmenistan’s neutral status on ensuring international, as well as regional stability and security is evident, as confirmed by the growing support for Turkmen neutrality in the United Nations. The establishment of the “Group of Friends of Neutrality” at the UN several years ago on the initiative of our country is also indicative. “Neutrality is not a static concept, but a living, creative process that keeps pace with the time and responds to new changes and trends. In this context, Turkmenistan puts forward preventive diplomacy as an important component of modern international politics”, the head of state highlighted.
The head of state gave the floor to President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin, to the President of the Republic of Türkiye Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, to the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Masoud Pezeshkian, to the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, to the President of the Kyrgyz Republic Sadyr Zhaparov, to the President of the Republic of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon, to the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, to the President of the Republic of Armenia Vahagn Khachaturyan, to the President of the Republic of Iraq, Abdul Latif Rashid, to the President of the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe, Carlos Manuel Vila Nova, to the Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif, to the Prime Minister of Georgia Irakli Kobakhidze, to the Prime Minister of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ali Asadov, to the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Eswatini Russell Dlamini, to the Prime Minister of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar Nyo Soe.
After the break, the plenary session continued under the chairmanship of the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov.
The theme of the current Forum covers a wide range of issues related to strengthening stability, ensuring the progressive and sustainable development of states, considering a number of social and humanitarian measures, as well as other issues on the global agenda, noted Hero Arkadag.
Due to various circumstances, the world is going through difficult times. In this regard, more than ever it is necessary to unite all responsible, sound, peace-loving forces and show determination in countering negative phenomena and threats to the global security architecture, noted the Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov.
Having put forward an initiative for peace and trust based on dialogue as the only path to assume viable and realistic approach to current global issues, Turkmenistan proceeds from the need for more active and effective use of the whole arsenal of politics and diplomacy, public opinion, historical experience, as well as accumulated humanistic and cultural heritage.
Speaking about the mechanisms for such unification, Hero Arkadag first of all noted the potential of the United Nations. In this regard, he spoke about the need to use the capabilities of the UN as the only international organization with universal legitimacy and mandate.
Cooperation on the pillars of Peace and Trust presupposes the existence of recognised political and legal foundations, clear and unambiguous principles enshrined in the UN Charter, equality, mutual respect, and non-interference in sovereign affairs, said the Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty, emphasizing that following them means preserving peace and predictability, as well as rebuilding the foundations of civilized communication.
Proposing to develop a new promising "Roadmap for Cooperation" under the auspices of Peace and Trust together with partners from interested states and international organisations, the National Leader of the Turkmen people confirmed his readiness to discuss substantive and organisational aspects of this initiative.
It was emphasized that the permanent neutrality determines both Turkmenistan's goals in the international arena and the means of achieving them, including such instruments as preventive diplomacy, active peacemaking and mediation.
Hero Arkadag then gave the floor to the Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, Director-General of the UN Office in Geneva Tatyana Valovaya, to the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Central Asia, Head of the UN Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia Kaha Imnadze, to, the Secretary General of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Feridun Sinirlioğlu, to the Secretary General of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation Asad Majid Khan, to the Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe Tatiana Molcian, to the Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) Armide Salcia Alishahbanah, to the Secretary-General of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. Nurlan Yer