The visit to Ashgabat by the United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres was undoubtedly the main event of the summer political season. The maximum value of every minute of this visit was clearly emphasized by the Turkmen side. It was already at the Ashgabat international airport that the head of the largest international organization was met by the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Khalk Maslakhaty Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov to hold the first talks on the Turkmen soil.
Noting the efficiency of relations with international organizations and UN bodies, Chairman of the Khalk Maslakhaty Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov expressed his sincere gratitude to Antonio Guterres for supporting the constructive initiatives of the Turkmen side aimed at establishing and maintaining a climate of mutual understanding and trust on the planet.
In turn, the UN Secretary General emphasized that he was pleased to visit Ashgabat once again. It was noted that the UN sees Turkmenistan as a reliable and responsible partner and is interested in further developing the well-established fruitful cooperation that meets the goals of universal well-being and progress.
Having noted with satisfaction that the strategic partnership covers a wide range of areas – socio-economic and legal spheres, humanitarian sphere, education, healthcare, ecology and many other – the Chairman of the Khalk Maslakhaty and the head of the UN confirmed their readiness to gradually build up effective relations based on the rich experience of cooperation and its multifaceted potential accumulated over the past years.
On the same day, Antonio Guterres took part in the opening ceremony of the new building of the UN office in Ashgabat. The ceremony was also attended by the heads of ministries and departments of the country, rectors of higher education establishments, heads and staff of UN missions in Turkmenistan, as well as the mass media. During the ceremony, the head of the well-known international organization expressed confidence that cooperation between Turkmenistan and the UN would continue developing dynamically in all priority areas.
The talks between President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov and the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres at Oguzkent Hotel in Ashgabat was the main event of the visit. The meeting between the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres and President Serdar Berdimuhamedov opened a new chapter in the history of bilateral relations.
During the talks in the narrow format followed by the meeting with participation of members of the two delegations, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov and the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres discussed issues relating to development of partnership in various areas. Expressing gratitude for the warm welcome on Turkmen soil, the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres noted that he was very happy to visit Turkmenistan again, as he happened to work very closely with this country while serving as the UN High Commissioner for Refugees.
Highly appreciating the proactive approach of the Turkmen side to solving pressing problems of our time and building cooperation on a long-term basis, the UN Secretary-General emphasized that Turkmenistan, having accumulated solid peacekeeping experience over the years of sovereign development, acts as an important strategic partner of the UN in ensuring universal peace, security and sustainable development.
He expressed appreciation of Turkmenistan’s efforts in addressing issues related to prevention and reduction of statelessness. As was noted, the example of Turkmenistan is illustrative in this regard, as it plays a leading role in eradicating this global humanitarian problem in the Central Asian region.
Noting with satisfaction the impressive successes of independent neutral Turkmenistan in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, the UN leader emphasized the role of important international initiatives and multifaceted activities of the Turkmen for the realization of its peacekeeping and creative potential for the benefit of all mankind.
Following the talks, President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov honored the distinguished guest with the jubilee medal of Turkmenistan “The 300th Anniversary of Magtymguly Fraghi”. As the President of Turkmenistan said, “the jubilee medal of Turkmenistan ‘The 300th Anniversary of Magtymguly Fraghi’ was established in our independent, neutral country in the year named ‘The Fount of Wisdom of Magtymguly Fraghi’ in celebration of the great master of words. I decided to award you the first issue of this medal and signed a corresponding decree. Now I will be very pleased to present you with this medal.”
The distinguished guest was awarded this jubilee medal for his great personal contribution to strengthening Turkmenistan’s independence, sovereignty and neutrality policy, expanding and enriching the country’s close ties with countries of the world and international organizations, peace, friendship and brotherhood between peoples and development of mutually beneficial humanitarian cooperation, as well as on the occasion of the 300th anniversary of the birth of Turkmen classical poet Magtymguly Fraghi.
Expressing his gratitude for the high award, the head of the reputable international organization emphasized the importance of philosophical views of the great son of the Turkmen people – outstanding poet and thinker of the East Magtymguly Fraghi – who called in his poems to unity, friendship and humanism, triumph of peace on the planet, which is fully in tune with the main goals of the UN.
As part of the UN delegation’s visit to Turkmenistan, the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Khalk Maslakhaty of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov received Miroslav Jenca, the UN Assistant Secretary-General for Europe, Central Asia, North and South America.
Warmly welcoming the guest, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov noted that the current visit would contribute to the intensification of Turkmenistan’s cooperation with the United Nations. He noted that Turkmenistan, with its legal status of permanent neutrality which was twice recognized by the UN member states, actively participates in international affairs and regularly puts forward effective initiatives.
The resolutions initiated by Turkmenistan such as “The role and importance of the policy of neutrality in maintaining and strengthening international peace, security and sustainable development” and “The role of the UN Regional Center for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia” are clear evidence of international recognition of Turkmenistan’s initiatives.
In his turn, noting the opportunities for effective cooperation with the UN in implementing important regional and global initiatives, joint large-scale projects and programs in various fields, the UN Assistant Secretary-General emphasized that he looks forward to new important initiatives from Turkmenistan at the “Summit of the Future” to be held in September this year. At the end of the meeting, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and Miroslav Jenca exchanged wishes of good health, well-being and success in their work.
On the sidelines of the UN Secretary General’s visit, the Foreign Ministry of Turkmenistan hosted a ceremony of signing documents between the Turkmen authorities, the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office and the UNDP Office in Turkmenistan. A total of 4 documents were signed relating to cooperation between Turkmenistan and the United Nations in various areas:
– a Joint Program document “Strengthening Integrated and Coordinated Employment and Social Protection Systems for a Just Transition to 2030” between the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Population of Turkmenistan and the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office in Turkmenistan;
– an Amendment to the project document “Assistance in Capacity Building of the Central Commission for Elections and Referenda in Turkmenistan” between the Central Commission for Elections and Referenda in Turkmenistan and the UNDP Office in Turkmenistan;
– a Supplement to the project document “Strengthening the National Potential of Turkmenistan to Assess Seismic Risks, Prevent and Response to Potential Earthquakes” between the Institute of Seismology and Atmospheric Physics of the Academy of Sciences of Turkmenistan and the UNDP Office in Turkmenistan;
– a Work Plan for 2024–2025 on “Strengthening the Potential of Bar Associations of Turkmenistan in Ensuring Human Rights” between the Presidium of the Ashgabat Bar Association and the UNDP Office in Turkmenistan.
The results of the eventful and informative visit to Turkmenistan by the head of the most authoritative international organization clearly emphasized the fact that Turkmenistan regards the UN and its specialized structures as a supporting pillar of the entire system of global interaction, a guarantor of preserving peace and maintaining the stability of the existing security architecture on the entire planet. Actively participating in developing balanced solutions to the pressing problems of our time, Turkmenistan undoubtedly makes a significant contribution to the common efforts on promoting diplomacy of peace and mutual respect, strengthening global security and stability and achieving the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.