Turkmenistan’s priorities at the 81st session of the UN General Assembly

As an active participant in international affairs, Turkmenistan will present its views on addressing the most urgent and important challenges facing humanity at the 81st session of the UN General Assembly and put forward specific initiatives aimed at their effective resolution.

Strict adherence to the universally recognized status of neutrality, comprehensive support for active dialogue aimed at strengthening peace, stability and security, and the development of effective regional and interregional cooperation have been identified as key areas of Turkmenistan’s foreign policy strategy and remain so today. The peacebuilding potential of neutrality, which is consistent with the fundamental objectives of preserving peace, strengthening international security and ensuring sustainable development while taking national, regional and global interests into account, forms the main foundation of Turkmenistan’s strategic partnership with the United Nations.

The set of multilateral documents adopted by the UN General Assembly at Turkmenistan’s initiative, as well as the effective work of the Ashgabat-based United Nations Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia, demonstrate that programmatic efforts are aimed at strengthening the mechanisms of preventive diplomacy.

At the 81st session of the General Assembly, Turkmenistan will continue to consistently put forward specific approaches and initiatives on important issues of global politics and strengthen the role of the institutional capacities and existing instruments of neutrality. Particular attention will be paid to enhancing the legal and humanitarian dimensions of international politics, supporting the importance of a peaceful world for future generations and traditions, as well as positive practices of dialogue in the interests of security and sustainable development.

These priorities demonstrate the country’s commitment to the principles of openness, goodwill and active engagement and confirm Turkmenistan’s serious and responsible approach as a UN Member State to jointly addressing the pressing challenges of the modern world. In this work, Turkmenistan relies on multilateral cooperation with the United Nations, its specialized agencies and other international organizations.

Turkmenistan views the forthcoming session of the General Assembly as an important stage in consolidating the efforts of the international community to strengthen peace, stability and security. For many years, the country has put forward specific initiatives in this area within the United Nations and its structures. Among them, the resolutions on the principles of “Peace and Trust” and “Dialogue — a Guarantee of Peace,” as well as “The Role and Importance of the Policy of Neutrality in Maintaining and Strengthening International Peace, Security and the Sustainable Development Process,” occupy a special place.

At the upcoming session, Turkmenistan plans to hold interstate consultations under the auspices of the UN on developing a Global Peace Strategy based on the principles of peace, security and preventive diplomacy. In order to promote comprehensive approaches to strengthening international peace and security, the country advocates the further development of a culture of trust, dialogue and preventive diplomacy. In this regard, Turkmenistan proposes declaring 2027–2037 the “UN Decade of Dialogue and Preventive Diplomacy.” At the same time, the country is advancing an initiative to establish a Group of Friends of Multilateralism and Equality of State Sovereignty within the United Nations.

Relevant work is being carried out with the United Nations and its structures to implement President Serdar Berdimuhamedov’s proposal to establish a University of Peace and Neutrality. As a further step in this direction, consultations are planned on establishing an Academic Centre for Peace, Neutrality and Preventive Diplomacy under the Department of Peace and Neutrality of the Institute of International Relations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan.

A separate area of the international agenda concerns the development of digital technologies and artificial intelligence. Turkmenistan proposes developing, under the auspices of the United Nations, an international code for the peaceful use of artificial intelligence in international relations and diplomacy. In this context, an international expert dialogue on digital trust and the responsible use of artificial intelligence is planned to be held in Ashgabat under UN auspices.

To further provide comprehensive support for the activities of the United Nations Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia, Turkmenistan will submit to the General Assembly a draft resolution entitled “The Role of the United Nations Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia.”

Turkmenistan attaches particular importance to sustainable development and international transport cooperation on its international agenda. As a result of the initiatives put forward by the President, the country continues to strengthen its position as one of the important centres of transport diplomacy. Accordingly, at Turkmenistan’s initiative, the UN General Assembly adopted at its 80th session the resolution “United Nations Decade of Sustainable Transport” for 2026–2035.

As part of the implementation of this document, Turkmenistan will continue work on creating a Global Atlas of Sustainable Transport Connectivity as a worldwide analytical and information tool for monitoring progress toward the goals of the decade. Turkmenistan will also actively participate in the practical implementation of the Avaza Programme of Action for 2024–2034 and the Avaza Political Declaration.

It is proposed to consider establishing an International Centre for Sustainable Trade Logistics and Customs Cooperation in Turkmenistan under the auspices of the United Nations. In addition, at the country’s initiative, a project to establish a transregional transport corridor under UN auspices linking South and Central Asia with Europe via the Caspian Sea will be advanced. The implementation of these initiatives is intended to expand international transport links, develop trade and strengthen economic cooperation between regions.

Environmental security, combating climate change and the rational use of energy resources also occupy an important place among the key areas of Turkmenistan’s cooperation with the United Nations and its specialized agencies.

In this context, at Turkmenistan’s initiative, the establishment of the Ashgabat Climate Dialogue will be proposed as a new platform for multilateral cooperation aimed at promoting climate initiatives and institutionally strengthening international cooperation. In addition, Turkmenistan will put forward an initiative to strengthen the climate resilience of regions facing serious challenges due to drought and water scarcity.

To implement the provisions of the resolution “The Key Role of Reliable and Stable Energy Connectivity in Ensuring Sustainable Development,” consultations will be held on preparations for organizing a high-level forum entitled “Sustainable Energy for All.”

The development of humanitarian cooperation occupies a special place in Turkmenistan’s foreign policy. Under the leadership of the President, the country attaches great importance to expanding dialogue and international cooperation aimed at advancing the interests of women and young people. In this regard, attention will focus on developing the Dialogue of Women of Central Asian Countries and advancing cooperation with the UN Peacebuilding Commission and UN Women within the framework of the “Women, Peace and Security” agenda.

Work will also continue to enhance the role and participation of young people in international relations and peace initiatives and to support the activities of the Central Asian Youth Dialogue. Under the “Youth, Peace and Security” agenda, Turkmenistan plans to facilitate broader participation by representatives of the younger generation in international and regional initiatives.

Initiatives in the field of international law also occupy an important place among the key areas of Turkmenistan’s cooperation with the United Nations. At the initiative of the Head of State, Turkmenistan consistently advances global proposals aimed at strengthening the role of international law and enhancing its importance in contemporary international relations.

One example is the proposal to declare 2028 the “Year of International Law.” This initiative once again highlights the special importance of the Charter of the United Nations and the norms of international law governing relations between states. As part of preparations for the Year of International Law, it will be proposed to hold an international conference in Turkmenistan devoted to the interrelationship between international law, disarmament, neutrality, preventive diplomacy and sustainable development.

Turkmenistan will continue its active work as a member of the United Nations Economic and Social Council for 2026–2028, as well as its participation in the activities of the UN, its other bodies, commissions and structures. At the same time, preparations are underway during the 81st session of the UN General Assembly to nominate Turkmenistan in the elections to the UN Security Council for 2031–2032, as well as to other elected bodies of the United Nations.

Thus, Turkmenistan’s active and constructive role in discussing and addressing important issues on the international agenda enables the country to participate consistently in global development processes, strengthen international cooperation and contribute to creating an atmosphere of mutual understanding, trust and equality.

Turkmenistan’s international initiatives are reflected in projects and programs of regional and global significance. They are united by a common commitment to strengthening peace and security, developing preventive diplomacy, expanding mutually beneficial cooperation, ensuring sustainable development and protecting the common interests of the international community.

Turkmenistan’s priorities at the 81st session of the UN General Assembly are another expression of the continuity of the country’s foreign policy course based on the principles of permanent neutrality, peacefulness, positive dialogue and mutual trust. The initiatives put forward by Turkmenistan are aimed at helping to strengthen international peace and security, develop sustainable cooperation and achieve common goals for the well-being of present and future generations.

This information was published on the official website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan.