THE INSTITUTE OF STATE, LAW AND DEMOCRACY OF TURKMENISTAN

Dear conference participants!

I sincerely congratulate you on the opening of the international scientific and practical conference "Milestones in the Development of Statehood, the Legal System and Democracy in Neutral Turkmenistan," timed to coincide with the 30th anniversary of the founding of the Institute of State, Law and Democracy of Turkmenistan!

Relying on the foundations of statehood, the rule of law and national democratic principles, our country is consistently developing civil society and strengthening relations between the state, society and the individual. Relations based on law are built on the high responsibility of each person and require strict compliance with legal norms. Thus, creation, creativity and constant improvement are the main guideposts of Turkmenistan. In modern Turkmen society, the human being is recognized as the highest value.

As is known, with the aim of strengthening democratic institutions in the state and society, ensuring the constitutional rights and freedoms of the individual, fulfilling the international obligations of Turkmenistan as a state with the status of permanent neutrality, and conducting scientific and practical research in the field of human rights and freedoms, the Turkmen National Institute of Democracy and Human Rights under the President of Turkmenistan was established on October 23, 1996.

By Decree of the President of Turkmenistan dated July 23, 2018, the Institute of State, Law and Democracy of Turkmenistan was created through the merger of the Turkmen National Institute of Democracy and Human Rights under the President of Turkmenistan and the Institute of State and Law under the President of Turkmenistan. Thus, on October 23 the Institute marks 30 years since its founding.

Over the past period, the Institute has made a worthy contribution to the harmonization of national legislation with the norms of international law and the improvement of our country's legal system, as well as to analytical work ensuring the fulfillment of Turkmenistan's international obligations in the field of human rights and international humanitarian law.

This activity of the Institute is carried out under the coordination of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan, in cooperation with the Mejlis of Turkmenistan, the Supreme Court of the country, and other law enforcement and state administrative bodies. The Institute takes an active part in preparing scientific opinions on draft legal acts submitted for expert review, as well as in publishing textbooks, manuals and scientific collections devoted to the national principles of statehood and topical issues of jurisprudence and democracy.

The Institute's staff regularly publish articles in the country's scientific and practical journals and newspapers, and actively promote the humane domestic and foreign policy of our neutral state on television and radio.

As the Hero-Arkadag rightly notes in his works, the centuries-old democratic traditions of popular rule, which define the harmony of the state structure, give national distinctiveness to our country's sustainable development. The heritage and humanistic values that reflect our people's experience strengthen the unity and cohesion of society. They vividly express the deep humanism, solidarity, accord, trust and mutual cooperation that stand at the origins of Turkmen statehood.

Dear conference participants!

As an equal member of the United Nations, our state has acceded to the fundamental international conventions, agreements and treaties in the field of human rights.

Strictly following its obligations under the documents adopted by the world community, Turkmenistan consistently implements generally recognized international norms into national legislation and law enforcement practice.

From this standpoint, important tasks include the scientific analysis of the principles of statehood and the directions of society's development, as well as research on the moral and legal aspects of improving the civic awareness and potential of citizens, human rights and social relations. The adoption of the "National Human Rights Action Plan in Turkmenistan for 2026–2030," the "National Action Plan on Gender Equality in Turkmenistan for 2026–2030," and the "National Action Plan on the Realization of Children's Rights in Turkmenistan for 2023–2028" is aimed at carrying out comprehensive work in the field of human rights together with UN structures and other international organizations.

The national plans define priority directions for further improving the activities of state bodies and public associations in ensuring human rights and freedoms, in implementing the norms of international law into our country's legislation, and in applying them in law enforcement practice. At the same time, particular attention is deserved by the creation of significant opportunities for young scientists to take an active part in systematic work on modern areas of scientific research within the national legal system.

The unanimous adoption, during the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly, of the Resolutions "The role and significance of the policy of neutrality in maintaining and strengthening international peace, security and sustainable development" of May 20, 2026, and "The Year of International Law, 2028" of July 24, 2026, was an event of enormous historic significance. The more than 30 resolutions of the UN General Assembly adopted on Turkmenistan's initiative serve as vivid evidence of its worthy contribution to the development of international law.

Dear conference participants!

I am convinced that the international scientific and practical conference "Milestones in the Development of Statehood, the Legal System and Democracy in Neutral Turkmenistan" will be an important event in the context of discussing the national principles of statehood, considering the harmonization of Turkmenistan's legislative system with the norms of international law and the directions of development of national democracy, and promoting the peace-loving, good-neighborly and humane policy pursued by our country!

Once again, I sincerely congratulate you on the opening of the scientific and practical conference timed to coincide with the 30th anniversary of the founding of the Institute of State, Law and Democracy of Turkmenistan!

I wish you good health, long life and great success in your work!

President of Turkmenistan
Serdar BERDIMUHAMEDOV.