THE MAIN ASPECTS OF INTERACTION BETWEEN TURKMENISTAN AND THE UNECE WERE DISCUSSED
On December 11, 2022, on the sidelines of the International Conference "Dialogue is a Guarantee of Peace", timed to coincide with the International Day of Neutrality and the 27th anniversary of the Neutrality of Turkmenistan, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan Rashid Meredov met with the Deputy Secretary General of the United Nations, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe ( UNECE) Olga Algaerova.
The distinguished guest expressed her gratitude for the invitation to the events and the hospitality provided within the framework of the Ashgabat International Week dedicated to the Day of Neutrality of Turkmenistan.
During the meeting, it was emphasized that Turkmenistan remains committed to the development of cooperation with the UNECE in such issues as strengthening the transport and transit potential of the region, building up trade and economic ties and integration, maintaining environmental safety and energy efficiency.
The parties noted with satisfaction the fruitfulness of the long-term cooperation of Turkmenistan with the UNECE in a wide range of areas. The important role of the UNECE in coordinating relations between the countries of Europe and Asia in the field of transport, trade, energy and environmental protection was noted.
Discussing the topic of environmental protection, it was stated that Turkmenistan is an active participant in the global campaign initiated by the UNECE "Trees in Cities" to support actions related to climate change in cities.
Special attention was paid to the issues of cooperation within the framework of the United Nations Special Program for the Economies of Central Asia (SPECA). In particular, the Turkmen side expressed its firm commitment to further development of cooperation with the SPECA countries. The prospects for cooperation were also outlined, taking into account the proposals of UNECE and ESCAP experts. In this context, issues of improving the structure and reforming the activities of this Program were discussed, including the establishment of the SPECA Trust Fund and its Secretariat.
An exchange of views was held on interaction with the UNECE in the format of the Framework Program for Cooperation on Sustainable Development between the Government of Turkmenistan and the UN for the period 2021-2025.
In this regard, the Executive Secretary of the UNECE highly appreciated the work of the Government of Turkmenistan to implement the concept of sustainable development, the effective measures of the state to implement the UN sustainable development goals and their indicators in national programs.
In the process of discussing the planned significant meetings and events under the auspices of the UNECE, concrete steps of interaction for the coming year were outlined.
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The final document of the International Conference "Dialogue is a Guarantee of Peace", held in Ashgabat on December 11, 2022 in the frames of the Ashgabat International Week, was published in the six official languages of the UN (A/77/651) as an official document of the 77th session of the UN General Assembly under paragraph 14 Agenda "Culture of Peace".
The document reflects the fundamental goals and principles of the UN Charter, which include obligations to resolve disputes by peaceful means and methods. In this context, the document emphasizes that inclusive dialogue in its various manifestations plays an important role in strengthening relations and cooperation among UN member states.
The Outcome Document also supports the initiative of the UN Secretary General on the formation of a New Agenda for Building Peace, which is consonant with the initiative of Turkmenistan to promote the philosophy of "Dialogue as a guarantee of peace".
In addition, the published document notes the need to implement global strategies and programs of the UN, in particular, the joint implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
The Final Document emphasizes that the policy of neutrality plays an important role in the development of a peaceful dialogue, trusting, friendly and mutually beneficial relations between the countries of the world and contributes to the strengthening of international peace and security at the regional and global levels. At the same time, the importance of preventive diplomacy is emphasized, in particular, the effective activities of the UN Regional Center for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia in Ashgabat in order to support the efforts of the world community to peacefully resolve conflicts in the interests of maintaining peace, as well as the need to develop and strengthen preventive diplomacy tools.
The Global Initiative “Dialogue is a Guarantee of Peace” promoted by Turkmenistan is aimed at consolidating the efforts of the international community in strengthening the traditions of peaceful and trusting coexistence of the peoples of the world, restoring values and worldviews, defining a culture of peace and trust as an integral factor in international relations.
The conference “Dialogue is a Guarantee of Peace”, which laid the foundation for the launch in 2023 of the Global Campaign for Dialogue as a Guarantee of Peace, has become a clear confirmation that Turkmenistan, being an active member of the world community, is not limited only to putting forward significant initiatives aimed at developing wide international cooperation that meets the fundamental interests of all countries and peoples, but also takes consistent steps towards their practical implementation.
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On December 11, 2022, at the initiative of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, the Yyldyz Hotel hosted the International Conference “Dialogue is the Guarantee of Peace”, dedicated to the International Day of Neutrality and the 27th anniversary of Turkmenistan’s permanent neutral status.
The high-level plenary session brought together the Deputy Chairmen of the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan, members of the Milli Gengesh, heads of state agencies, turkmen and foreign diplomats - heads and representatives of diplomatic missions of Turkmenistan accredited abroad, as well as diplomatic missions of foreign states and authoritative international organizations operating in our country, including the UN and its specialized structures, representatives of public organizations and the media.
Among the guests of honor of the forum were participants of international and regional events held in the Turkmen capital on the eve of a significant date.
The participants listened with great attention to the Address of the UN Secretary-General António Guterres, which was read out by the UN Resident Coordinator in Turkmenistan Dmitry Shlapachenko.
Then the floor was given to numerous delegates of the forum, who thanked for the invitation to take part in the current conference and events on the occasion of the 27th anniversary of the neutrality of Turkmenistan, congratulated the Turkmen people on the great national holiday.
Their vision of the positive role of independent neutral Turkmenistan in strengthening international relations was presented in speeches hybrid format by other foreign participants - heads of authoritative international organizations.
Among them were Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Central Asia, Head of the UN Regional Center for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia Ms. Natalia Gherman, Secretary General of the Organization of Turkic States Kubanychbek Omuraliev, Secretary General of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe Helga Maria Schmid sent a message, which was read by the head of the OSCE Center in Ashgabat John MacGregor, Secretary General of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Zhang Ming, Secretary General of the Economic Cooperation Organization, Ambassador Khusrav Noziri.
At the end of the plenary session, the work of the International Conference "Dialogue is the Guarantee of Peace" continued within the framework of three thematic sessions: "Dialogue as the basis for preventive activities and conflict prevention", "Strengthening food and environmental security through dialogue", "Multilateral cooperation in the information space and the role of information networks in establishing interethnic dialogue”.
Based on the results of the thematic sessions, the Final Document was adopted. At the end of the conference, meetings of its participants with representatives of various state agencies took place.
