The year 2025 culminated with the Ashgabat forum marking the International Year of Peace and Trust and the 30th anniversary of Turkmenistan’s status of permanently neutrality – a large scale event that became a starting point for rethinking the regional, continental and global processes, as well as affirming the values of peace, cooperation, trust and the culture of dialogue and mutual understanding in international politics.
The Turkmen capital brought together the heads of state and government, as well as leaders of reputable international and regional organizations that expressed interest in an up to date political dialogue. High level delegations participating in the international forum laid flowers at the Monument of Neutrality. This ceremonial act symbolized respect for the foreign policy course chosen by the Turkmen state and its legal status of permanent neutrality, enshrined in the resolutions of the UN General Assembly.
Opening the forum and greeting the audience, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov noted that such a representative international gathering was the result of many years of Turkmenistan’s consistent work towards establishing and consolidating in world politics the principles, values and criteria that should form the foundation and legal and ideological core of the entire modern system of international relations.
Turkmenistan made a number of important steps and initiatives that were received with understanding across the world and effective support from partners. The joint efforts resulted in the adoption of a special resolution of the UN General Assembly proclaiming 2025 the International Year of Peace and Trust at Turkmenistan’s initiative.
As was noted, the conceptual norms of peace and trust found their reflection in the national legislation of Turkmenistan. In September 2025, Turkmenistan adopted the Constitutional Law “On the Legal Foundations of the Policy of Peace and Trust of Neutral Turkmenistan,” which became a milestone in the further development of Turkmenistan as a subject of international relations and a testament to the country’s adherence and unwavering commitment to its strategic course toward achieving and maintaining durable peace and stability. A proper appreciation of these concepts and their elevation to the status of indisputable postulates of world politics marks a significant positive shift in understanding the contemporary global order – a step away from dangerous confrontational trends toward the constructive, realistic and balanced foundations of global security and development architecture.
“Turkmenistan believes that this can be achieved only through joint efforts, uniting states and international institutions on a shared political, ideological and humanistic basis grounded in the UN Charter and internationally recognized legal norms,” President Serdar Berdimuhamedov said.
It is evident that Turkmenistan’s neutral status has the constructive and creative influence on the establishment of international and regional stability and security. This is confirmed by the growing support for Turkmen neutrality within the UN. The unanimous adoption of the resolutions “Permanent Neutrality of Turkmenistan” by the UN General Assembly in 1995, 2015 and 2025 was a vivid demonstration of this fact.
Equally indicative is the establishment of the “Group of Friends of Neutrality” at the UN at Turkmenistan’s initiative. These examples eloquently demonstrate that neutrality and its fundamental principles are becoming ever more significant and relevant in the practice of international relations.
“At the same time, we always emphasize that neutrality is not a static structure but a living and creative process that keeps pace with the times and responds to new changes and trends. In this context, Turkmenistan proposes preventive diplomacy as an important component of contemporary international politics,” the head of state continued, expressing confidence that this instrument is especially relevant under current conditions, capable of genuinely contributing to the prevention of conflicts and timely conversion of contradictions and disagreements into a civilized negotiation process.
Turkmenistan offers, with the UN support, the establishment of a University of Peace and Neutrality for the practical application of neutrality and conducting related research and educational activities, the head of state emphasized.
Speaking about Turkmenistan’s neutrality, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov placed special emphasis on another of its qualities, noting that neutrality is a natural result of Turkmenistan’s genuine sovereignty and independence.
“By pursuing an independent, thoughtful and consistent neutral foreign policy, we rely primarily on the solid foundations of our statehood, the historical continuity, unity and support of the Turkmen people and the centuries old experience of our ancestors, who bequeathed to us the commandment to live in peace, harmony and good neighborliness with all peoples and states,” the head of state said.
Expressing once again his heartfelt gratitude to those present for their participation in the forum and their contribution to strengthening friendship, cooperation and mutual understanding with Turkmenistan, the head of state passed the floor to the forum participants.
Speaking at the forum, the heads of states and governments expressed a shared view that they regarded this meeting as an important political platform for promoting the ideas of peace loving and peacebuilding, strengthening trust and mutual respect between states, and that such a representative forum affirms Turkmenistan’s unique role in strengthening international trust and cooperation.
As was noted, Turkmenistan’s neutrality is an integral part of the national identity of the Turkmen people, which is rooted in ancient traditions and cultural and spiritual values. This important principle is reflected even in the poetry by Magtymguly Fraghi - prominent representative of classical Turkmen literature and great humanist poet of the East.
Speakers emphasized that Turkmenistan’s policy of permanent positive neutrality made a significant contribution to stability and sustainable development across the vast expanse of the Eurasian continent. The Turkmen model of permanent neutrality clearly demonstrates how the principles of respect for sovereignty and non interference can be harmoniously combined with active peacebuilding and diplomatic efforts aimed at maintaining positive international relations. In this context, they noted the effectiveness of the UN Regional Center for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia located in Ashgabat and its contribution to ensuring regional stability.
The plenary session then continued under the chairmanship of the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Khalk Maslakhaty (People’s Council) of Turkmenistan, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov.
Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov noted that the topics addressed at the forum covered a wide range of issues related to strengthening stability, ensuring the progressive and sustainable development of states, revision of a number of social and humanitarian measures, as well as other international issues.
It was natural that against the background of varying approaches to many aspects of the world order, Turkmenistan’s initiative to proclaim 2025 the International Year of Peace and Trust and the resolution adopted in this regard by the UN General Assembly became a major and symbolic event in contemporary international affairs, receiving high recognition from the UN member states, the international community, political and diplomatic circles and all those involved in decision making in the field of international relations.
By putting forward the initiative of peace and trust based on a dialogue as the only viable and realistic approach to current global challenges, Turkmenistan is guided by the need of more active and effective use of the entire arsenal of politics and diplomacy, public opinion, historical experience and humanistic and cultural heritage. It is important to constructively mobilize the potential, political maturity, resolve and principled positions of the international community and all states, regardless of their political systems, size, population or other factors, the National Leader of the Turkmen people continued, emphasizing that today we all bear responsibility for the future of our planet.
Cooperation on the platform of peace and trust suggests the existence of recognized political and legal foundations and clear and unambiguous principles laid down in the UN Charter, such as equality, mutual respect, non interference in sovereign affairs, the Chairman of the Khalk Maslakhaty noted, stressing that adherence to these principles means preserving peace, predictability and reconstruction of the foundations of the civilized interaction.
At the same time, he noted that in addition to traditional diplomacy it is important to use the inter parliamentary channels of communication, as well as women and youth diplomacy to advance the concept of peace and trust. As was emphasized, the Turkmen side proceeds from the understanding that public diplomacy can and must become an important support for official diplomacy, possessing additional levers of influence on political decision making.
A mass media dialogue plays a significant role in establishing respectful and constructive interstate relations. It is considered an important component of the initiative of peace and trust, as well as Turkmenistan’s global formula “Dialogue – the Guarantee of Peace” put forward several years ago. In this context, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov emphasized that mass media should be used exclusively for constructive purposes, and that a barrier must be set against cybercrime and spreading biased reports in the mass media.
As was noted, it is important to broaden the application of the criteria of peace and trust in addressing universal tasks in such areas as environmental change, access to clean water and air, modern medicine, inclusive education and ensuring food security, as well as other pressing issues of social development.
Permanent neutrality defines both Turkmenistan’s goals in the international affairs and the means of achieving them, including tools such as preventive diplomacy, active peacebuilding and mediation. Turkmenistan put forward a number of initiatives, including the establishment of a UN Mediation Chamber and granting priority partner status to neutral and non aligned states in the UN’s peacekeeping efforts, based on the need to expand geographically and enhance the mandate of UN regional centers for preventive diplomacy.
The floor was then given to participants of the international forum. The leaders of major international and regional organizations emphasized that Turkmenistan’s geographic location, as well as its commitment to the principle of neutrality in foreign policy enable the country to act as an especially important and reliable partner, connecting Asia with the Middle East and other regions. By uniting peoples, countries, and cultures, Turkmenistan actively contributes to the establishment of peace.
As was emphasized, the celebration of the 30th anniversary of Turkmenistan’s permanent neutrality in the International Year of Peace and Trust confirms the country’s commitment to promoting peace, trust and sustainable development, as well as its meaningful contribution to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Mutual trust and openness are values that strengthen cooperation, and by adhering to them Turkmenistan demonstrates an exemplary model in maintaining peace and trust on the planet.
Summing up the discussion, the Chairman of the Khalk Maslakhaty noted that the statements delivered at the forum provided a substantive analysis of international cooperation in the modern era, underscoring its significance in the context of consolidating multilateral efforts of the global community toward strengthening peace and trust.
Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov expressed confidence that the Ashgabat Forum and the creative impulses it generated would promote further fruitful joint work, yielding tangible results in the interests of peace and the progress of humanity.
The outcomes of the anniversary forum were reflected in the Ashgabat Declaration. Summing up the 30 year long successful policy of neutrality, the forum demonstrated that the principles of mutual respect, equality and dialogue can be applied to strengthen regional and global security. The vivid examples presented during the forum convincingly confirmed the effectiveness of positive neutrality, which contributes to ensuring stability, well being and a just future for the peoples of the world.
The celebrations were crowned by a concert featuring masters of culture and arts, attended by President Serdar Berdimuhamedov and heads of state and government visiting Turkmenistan. The captivating musical and vocal performances by distinguished artists, folklore ensembles and theatrical actors left an unforgettable impression on the audience. The concert program included national and foreign compositions accompanied by enthusiastic applause.
Colorful fireworks with shimmering lights illuminating the sky above the white marble Ashgabat became the bright finale of the festivities.