International forum held in Ashgabat with participation of the President of Turkmenistan and Hero-Arkadag

On 12 December 2025, an International Forum was held in Ashgabat dedicated to the International Year of Peace and Trust, International Neutrality Day, and the 30th anniversary of Turkmenistan’s permanent neutrality, with the participation of high-level delegations from countries around the world, as well as international and regional organizations.

Early in the morning, the heads of high-level delegations attending the Forum laid flowers at the Neutrality Monument. They then proceeded to the Congress Center of Turkmenistan, where a joint official photo ceremony for delegation heads took place.

With the participation of the President of Turkmenistan, the Forum was opened and the plenary session “Peace and Trust: Unity of Goals for a Sustainable Future” was held.

In opening the Forum and welcoming participants, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov said he was pleased to see everyone at the International Forum held on the occasion of the International Year of Peace and Trust, International Neutrality Day, and the 30th anniversary of Turkmenistan’s permanent neutrality. On behalf of the Turkmen people, he thanked all participants for attending the Forum of Peace and Trust and the celebratory events marking International Neutrality Day and the 30th anniversary of the international recognition of Turkmenistan’s permanent neutrality.

President Serdar Berdimuhamedov emphasized that the Forum is regarded as a major event of international significance, intended to serve as a starting point for reflecting on regional, continental, and global processes and for advancing in international politics the values of peace, cooperation, equality, trust, justice, a culture of dialogue, and mutual understanding.

He noted that the Forum is the result of Turkmenistan’s long-term, consistent work to promote and закрепить in global politics the principles and criteria that, in Turkmenistan’s view, should form the foundation and legal and worldview core of today’s international relations system. It was also stated that the conceptual norms of peace and trust have been reflected in Turkmenistan’s national legislation, including the adoption in September of the current year of the Constitutional Law of Turkmenistan “On the Legal Foundations of the Policy of Peace and Trust of Neutral Turkmenistan.”

It was further noted that the International Year of Peace and Trust coincides with an important historical milestone: the 30th anniversary of the international recognition of Turkmenistan’s permanent neutrality. Having become a political and legal reality закреплённая in resolutions of the United Nations General Assembly and in the Constitution of Turkmenistan, permanent neutrality, the President said, determines all of Turkmenistan’s steps in the international arena and underpins the country’s visible achievements and large-scale results.

Neutrality, the President stated, is a key factor in Turkmenistan’s strategic dialogue with the United Nations, which marks its 80th anniversary worldwide this year. He stressed the constructive impact of Turkmenistan’s neutral status on international and regional stability and security, reflected in growing support for Turkmen neutrality at the United Nations. He also highlighted the establishment several years ago at the UN, at Turkmenistan’s initiative, of the Group of Friends of Neutrality.

President Serdar Berdimuhamedov stated that neutrality is not a static construct but a living, creative process that keeps pace with the times and responds to new changes and trends. In this context, he underscored preventive diplomacy as an important component of contemporary international policy, and proposed using neutrality as a political and practical platform for developing ways and methods to achieve agreement, compromise, and reconciliation.

In this context, drawing on the United Nations’ extensive peacekeeping experience and in order to strengthen the applied dimension of neutrality through research and education, Turkmenistan proposed establishing, in cooperation with the UN, a University of Peace and Neutrality. The President expressed confidence that these initiatives would be supported and confirmed Turkmenistan’s readiness for substantive discussion with friends and partners.

He stated that Turkmenistan’s neutrality is a natural result of the country’s genuine sovereignty and independence, and noted broad international support and understanding of Turkmenistan’s goals. He added that this support helps Turkmenistan look to the future with optimism, build plans for further joint work, and encourages active, constructive participation in advancing peace, trust, and harmony among peoples, as well as their progress and well-being.

President Serdar Berdimuhamedov then gave the floor to President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin.

President Vladimir Putin said he was pleased to take part in the Forum dedicated to the International Year of Peace and Trust, International Neutrality Day, and the 30th anniversary of Turkmenistan’s declaration of permanent neutrality. He noted the symbolism of 12 December, when exactly three decades earlier the United Nations General Assembly unanimously adopted a resolution formally recognizing Turkmenistan’s neutral legal status. President Putin congratulated President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, National Leader of the Turkmen people and Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, and the Turkmen people on this landmark event. He stated that Turkmenistan’s choice of permanent neutrality 30 years ago determined the country’s strategic course as an independent and sovereign state respected and recognized in the region and worldwide. He also highly praised the draft Ashgabat Declaration prepared by the Turkmen side as an important outcome of the Forum, noting that Russia supports the document and its firm commitment to key principles of international relations enshrined in the UN Charter. He further noted that Turkmenistan will assume the chairmanship of the Commonwealth of Independent States in 2026 and wished success in this mission.

The floor was then given to President of the Republic of Türkiye Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. He welcomed the heads of state and government and all Forum participants, and said it was a great honor to be again on the historical homeland. He congratulated President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, Hero-Arkadag, and the Turkmen people on International Neutrality Day, and thanked Turkmenistan for organizing the Forum on this significant day. He noted Türkiye’s pride in Turkmenistan’s achievements and emphasized the brotherly ties between the Turkish and Turkmen peoples, adding that Türkiye was the first to recognize Turkmenistan’s independence and among the first to support its permanent neutrality. He stated that Türkiye is strengthening comprehensive relations with Turkmenistan, combining cooperation in investment, trade, and energy with strong humanitarian ties, and reaffirmed Türkiye’s commitment to constructive partnership. He also touched on a number of current international issues.

The floor was then given to President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Masoud Pezeshkian. He thanked the Government and people of Turkmenistan for the high organizational level of the Forum and noted the special significance of the event coinciding with the 30th anniversary of Turkmenistan’s neutrality. He said the UN-created Group of Friends of Neutrality for Peace, Security and Sustainable Development, proposed by Turkmenistan, is an important initiative reflecting Turkmenistan’s efforts in this area. Stressing that peace and development are possible only through equal dialogue, trusted partnership, and respect for international law, he expressed confidence that the high-level Forum would contribute to shared goals and to a foundation for peace, stability, and development in the region.

The floor was then given to President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. He thanked the hosts for their hospitality and noted that brotherly Turkmenistan is marking the historic date of the 30th anniversary of its permanent neutrality. He stated that the policy of permanent positive neutrality has brought Turkmenistan international recognition and has become a symbol of its achievements and commitment to peace. He said the representative Forum confirms Turkmenistan’s unique role in strengthening international trust and cooperation, and expressed confidence that ideas voiced during the discussion would highlight anew the positive significance of neutrality in the 21st century. He also emphasized the historical merits of National Leader of the Turkmen people and Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov. He noted the special significance of the UN General Assembly’s proclamation, at Turkmenistan’s initiative, of 2025 as the International Year of Peace and Trust, and said Kazakhstan supported this decision.

The floor was then given to President of the Kyrgyz Republic Sadyr Japarov. He thanked Turkmenistan for its hospitality and the high level of organization, said it was an honor to participate, and congratulated Turkmenistan on the 30th anniversary of permanent neutrality. He recalled the UN General Assembly resolution on “Permanent Neutrality of Turkmenistan” adopted 30 years ago, and said neutrality has served as a foundation for stability and development. He stated that Kyrgyzstan values Turkmenistan’s contribution to regional processes, including the UN General Assembly resolution proclaiming 2025 the International Year of Peace and Trust, and noted Kyrgyzstan’s support and co-sponsorship. He also mentioned the Third UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries held in Avaza in August of the current year.

The floor was then given to President of the Republic of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon. He congratulated the Turkmen people on the 30th anniversary of permanent neutrality and said the Ashgabat Forum is another example of Turkmenistan’s commitment to strengthening global peace and security and to peacemaking diplomacy. He emphasized the importance of the initiative to declare 2025 the International Year of Peace and Trust in the current geopolitical situation, and stressed the need for coordinated international measures for sustainable development and to address socio-economic challenges, including climate change and environmental protection.

The floor was then given to President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev. He thanked President Serdar Berdimuhamedov and National Leader of the Turkmen people and Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov for the organization and warm reception, and congratulated Turkmenistan on the 30th anniversary of permanent neutrality. He described the Forum as an important political platform for promoting peace and trust, emphasized the role of Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov in developing the philosophy of positive neutrality, and noted the effectiveness of the UN Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia in Ashgabat. He said Uzbekistan supports Turkmenistan’s proposal to establish, together with the UN, a University of Peace and Neutrality, and reaffirmed Uzbekistan’s full support for the initiative to declare 2025 the International Year of Peace and Trust. He also noted Turkmenistan’s initiatives in energy and water diplomacy, sustainable transport connectivity, ecology, and regional cooperation.

The floor was then given to President of the Republic of Armenia Vahagn Khachaturyan. He thanked the Government and President of Turkmenistan for organizing the event, highlighted the importance of the UN General Assembly resolution proclaiming 2025 the International Year of Peace and Trust, and said Armenia consistently supports Turkmenistan’s initiatives in this direction at the UN.

The floor was then given to President of the Republic of Iraq Abdul Latif Rashid. He thanked Turkmenistan for its hospitality and emphasized that Iraq views mutual understanding and dialogue as key conditions for stability at regional and global levels. He stated that modern economic and environmental challenges require cooperation based on solidarity, trust, and shared responsibility, and wished success to the Forum.

The floor was then given to President of the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe Carlos Manuel Vila Nova. He spoke about the importance of regional stability, cooperation, and open dialogue in line with international law, stressed the role of neutrality in peace and friendly relations, and said neutrality supports peace architecture, cooperation, investment, infrastructure development, and food and energy security.

The floor was then given to Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif. He emphasized the significance of International Neutrality Day and noted that 2025 was proclaimed by the UN General Assembly, at Turkmenistan’s initiative, as the International Year of Peace and Trust, adding that trust is the basis of global stability and constructive cooperation. He praised Turkmenistan’s initiatives in peace, sustainable development, and international dialogue, and noted the successful Third UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries held in Avaza in August as evidence of Turkmenistan’s role as a bridge-builder.

The floor was then given to Prime Minister of Georgia Irakli Kobakhidze. He stated that the International Year of Peace and Trust calls on the international community to adhere to principles of peace, partnership, and trust, and emphasized that a stable future can be built only on close dialogue, coordinated efforts, and shared goals.

Prime Minister of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ali Asadov then spoke, thanked Turkmenistan for its hospitality, and noted that Azerbaijan values Turkmenistan’s constructive policy and the UN-recognized status of permanent neutrality. He welcomed Turkmenistan’s proposals as an important contribution to the global architecture of peace and security and praised the initiative to establish a UN-backed University of Peace and Neutrality. He stated that bilateral partnership has been developing rapidly, mentioned the July visit of National Leader of the Turkmen people and Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov to Azerbaijan, and highlighted the trilateral Azerbaijan–Turkmenistan–Uzbekistan summit as a platform for expanding regional multilateral partnership. He also noted that residents of the city of Fuzuli sent a letter of gratitude to Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov for the initiative to build a mosque in the city.

The floor was then given to Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Eswatini Russell Dlamini. He congratulated President Serdar Berdimuhamedov and the Turkmen people on the occasion, emphasized that permanent neutrality promotes open and peaceful relations, and stated that Turkmenistan’s positive neutrality has been recognized by the United Nations, reflecting the country’s international standing.

The floor was then given to Prime Minister of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar Nyo Saw. He thanked Turkmenistan for its hospitality, said it was an honor to participate, praised Turkmenistan’s efforts to promote global peace, trust, and diplomacy, and expressed confidence that Turkmenistan’s principles of peace and neutrality will further advance global efforts.

After the plenary session resumed, it was chaired by National Leader of the Turkmen people and Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov (Hero-Arkadag). Before the session, Hero-Arkadag held a photo meeting with heads of international organizations and high-level delegations. In his remarks, he stated that the Forum’s theme encompasses a wide range of issues related to stability, sustainable development, and humanitarian matters. He said the world is going through a difficult period and that unity among responsible, peace-minded forces is needed to counter threats to the global security architecture. He emphasized the potential of the United Nations as the only international organization with universal legitimacy and a mandate, and called for cooperation based on the UN Charter’s principles of equality, mutual respect, and non-interference. He also noted the importance of interparliamentary channels, women’s and youth diplomacy, and constructive information dialogue, including preventing cybercrime and the spread of biased materials. He proposed developing, under the umbrella of Peace and Trust, a new “Roadmap for Cooperation,” and reaffirmed readiness to discuss its content and organization. He stressed that Turkmenistan’s neutrality has a stabilizing influence on regional processes and that neutrality is the foundation of Turkmenistan’s worldview and its sense of responsibility in international affairs.

Hero-Arkadag then gave the floor to Tatiana Valovaya, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations and Director-General of the United Nations Office at Geneva, who thanked Turkmenistan for the opportunity to participate and congratulated Turkmenistan on the anniversary. She noted that a meeting on peace, security, and neutrality was organized in Geneva in October with the support of Turkmenistan’s Permanent Mission, highlighting the importance of neutrality, dialogue, and trust.

The floor was then given to Kaha Imnadze, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Central Asia and Head of the United Nations Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia. He noted the anniversary of Turkmenistan’s permanent neutrality and emphasized cooperation on preventive diplomacy, strengthening trust among Central Asian states, and addressing climate change and other challenges. He also mentioned the Third UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries in Avaza and the adoption of the Avaza Political Declaration, and confirmed the UN’s readiness to cooperate on initiatives raised at the Forum, including the University of Peace and Neutrality.

Feridun Hadi Sinirlioğlu, Secretary General of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, then spoke and said it was an honor to represent the OSCE at the Forum. He noted that, as part of his first visit to Central Asia, he was pleased to participate in events marking the 30th anniversary of Turkmenistan’s permanent neutrality. He stated that the OSCE supports Turkmenistan’s efforts and that Turkmenistan has been an important partner since 1992, including through the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat.

Asad Majeed Khan, Secretary-General of the Economic Cooperation Organization, then spoke, stating that it was an honor to participate in the Forum marking 30 years since the UN General Assembly resolution on Turkmenistan’s permanent neutrality. He also noted International Neutrality Day, established by a UN General Assembly resolution in February 2017, and said Turkmenistan’s model of permanent neutrality is based on respect for sovereignty, non-interference, and partnership with all countries.

Tatiana Molcean, Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, then spoke and thanked Turkmenistan for its hospitality and the high organizational level of the Forum. She noted the importance of work under the UN Special Programme for the Economies of Central Asia (SPECA), including sustainable transport systems and trade facilitation as part of the 2030 Agenda.

Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, then spoke, congratulated Turkmenistan on the anniversary, and emphasized that neutrality is an effective instrument for strengthening friendship, mutual trust, and global peace and security.

Nurlan Yermekbayev, Secretary-General of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, then spoke, thanked the Turkmen side for the invitation and hospitality, and congratulated the Turkmen people on the 30th anniversary of permanent neutrality.

Haoliang Xu, Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Associate Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme, then spoke and congratulated Turkmenistan on the anniversary. He noted UNDP’s cooperation with Turkmenistan in health, digitalization, climate action, and the green economy, and said the partnership has advanced to a new level.

Xing Qu, Deputy Director-General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, then spoke, thanked Turkmenistan for organizing the Forum and for the invitation, and noted UNESCO cooperation with Turkmenistan. He stated that at a recent meeting in New Delhi, UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage decided to include Turkmenistan’s nomination “The Art of Breeding the Turkmen Alabai” in the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Salim bin Mohammed AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, then spoke and said it was an honor to address the Forum. He stated that Turkmenistan is known worldwide for its unique cultural heritage and enriches the concept of peace and trust with new content, and emphasized the importance of mutual trust and openness.

In concluding remarks, National Leader of the Turkmen people and Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov stated that the speeches and exchange of views demonstrated a shared understanding of the need to create an integral, indivisible system of security and development that serves the genuine interests of all peoples. He expressed confidence that the Ashgabat Forum would generate constructive momentum for further joint work and tangible results in the interests of peace and human progress. He congratulated participants on International Neutrality Day and the upcoming New Year 2026, wished them good health and success, and announced the conclusion of the Forum.

The proposals advanced by President Serdar Berdimuhamedov and National Leader of the Turkmen people and Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov (Hero-Arkadag) were fully supported by Forum participants. As a result of the Forum, the Ashgabat Declaration was adopted.