Ashgabat, November 1, 2024 – The Europe Today: At an international conference held at the Institute of International Relations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan in Ashgabat, the recently adopted UN General Assembly resolution on the “UN Friendship Games,” co-initiated by Turkmenistan and India, was a key topic of discussion. The event brought together senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, members of the diplomatic community, representatives from public organizations, and figures from the sports sector.
Turkmenistan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Rashid Meredov, remarked on the interplay between sports and politics, stating, “Despite the widespread expression that sports should be outside of politics, today politics cannot exist without sports.” He underscored the importance of leveraging sports as a means to foster friendship and mutual understanding among nations.
The conference highlighted Turkmenistan’s ongoing efforts to promote a mass physical culture movement, advocate for a healthy lifestyle within society, and advance sports diplomacy, all of which have garnered significant international support. This support was evidenced by the unanimous adoption of the resolution on “Integration of Mass Cycling into Public Transport Systems to Achieve Sustainable Development” during the 76th session of the UN General Assembly, following a proposal from Turkmenistan. Additionally, Ashgabat was recognized as the “City of New Sports Opportunities of the Commonwealth” at the Council of Heads of Government of the CIS meeting.
Moreover, Turkmenistan’s election to the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee for Physical Culture and Sport for the 2023-2027 term was highlighted as a testament to the country’s commitment to promoting physical culture and sports.
The conference reaffirmed Turkmenistan’s dedication to utilizing its neutral status to foster collaboration with UN agencies and other international organizations. The focus remains on public health, the promotion of healthy living principles, and the effective use of sports diplomacy to unite people and contribute to the maintenance of peace and prosperity.
