Ashgabat, September 30, 2025 – The Europe Today: On September 30, 2025, the Institute of International Relations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan hosted a high-level conference under the theme “International Cooperation: A Guarantee for Strengthening Peace and Sustainable Development.”
The event brought together Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan Rashid Meredov, senior officials of the Foreign Ministry, heads and representatives of diplomatic missions and international organizations accredited in Turkmenistan, faculty and students of the Institute, as well as members of the national media.
The conference opened with a welcoming address by Gulshat Yusupova, Rector of the Institute of International Relations, who also moderated the proceedings.
In his keynote remarks, Foreign Minister Meredov emphasized Turkmenistan’s commitment to advancing a foreign policy built on constructive engagement with the United Nations and strengthening the UN’s central role in global affairs. He underscored Turkmenistan’s alignment with the principles of The Pact for the Future, highlighting initiatives presented at the 80th session of the UN General Assembly. Among these were Turkmenistan’s proposal to declare 2028 the Year of International Law and its advocacy for expanding the use of neutrality and preventive diplomacy to safeguard peace, security, and sustainable development.
Other distinguished speakers included Kaha Imnadze, Head of the UN Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia; Narine Saakyan, UNDP Resident Representative in Turkmenistan; Janna Ratna, Head of the UNICEF Office in Turkmenistan; and the ambassadors of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.
Speakers highlighted that the initiatives of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, presented at the UN General Assembly, serve as a blueprint for strengthening global and regional cooperation. They pointed in particular to projects focused on sustainable transport and energy, digital integration, environmental protection, rational use of natural resources, and climate change mitigation.
Attention was also drawn to Turkmenistan’s proposals for new multilateral platforms, including the International Forum “Central Asia – a Space of Peaceful Coexistence,” the World Summit on the Culture of Peace and Trust, the Caspian Environmental Forum, and the Regional Center for Combating Desertification. These initiatives, participants noted, offer new opportunities for broadening international dialogue and partnership.
The forum concluded with unanimous expressions of support for Turkmenistan’s foreign policy, guided by the principles of permanent neutrality, peace, and trust. Participants reaffirmed their readiness to work closely with Ashgabat in pursuit of common international goals.
At the close of the meeting, an official Address to the President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov was adopted.
