Priority Positions of Turkmenistan at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly

Turkmenistan views the 80th anniversary session of the United Nations General Assembly as an important stage in international efforts to strengthen peace and stability. In the context of a complex international environment characterized by multiple challenges and a decline in trust, the use of the United Nations’ potential, its political and diplomatic instruments, and its moral authority to find mutually acceptable solutions and ensure universal and comprehensive security becomes particularly relevant.

 

Turkmenistan firmly upholds the principle of the indivisibility of security and the interconnectedness of its various aspects. Our country believes that political or military security cannot be long-term and complete without ensuring economic, energy, food, and environmental security. In Turkmenistan’s foreign policy, the principles of permanent neutrality and non-interference are consistently upheld, along with a firm commitment to the peaceful political and diplomatic settlement of international conflicts.

 

Turkmenistan is a member of a number of subsidiary UN bodies – in particular, the UN Commission on Population and Development, the Commission on Science and Technology for Development, the Commission for Social Development, the Executive Board of UN Women, the Executive Board of UNICEF, and the UN Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) – and will use its accumulated experience in advancing the key initiatives of the Organization. During the upcoming session of the General Assembly, our country will continue contributing to the promotion of international initiatives of the President of Turkmenistan on key global and regional issues.

 

Peace and Security

 

Turkmenistan, consistently pursuing a course to strengthen international peace and security, will make active efforts to advance its initiatives within the framework of the United Nations. Our country proceeds from the premise that a policy of positive neutrality, founded on trust and respect, is an effective instrument for bolstering stability, preventing conflicts, and developing international cooperation.

 

The immutable principles of the Charter of the United Nations and the internationally recognized norms of international law remain the foundation of Turkmenistan’s peacebuilding efforts, providing a reliable basis for the just and peaceful settlement of any international disputes.

In accordance with UN General Assembly resolution 79/274 “Permanent Neutrality of Turkmenistan,” our country intends to participate actively in drafting the Guidelines on the Observance and Implementation of the Principles of Neutrality for the sake of peace and security, and to initiate consultations on establishing, in Turkmenistan, a UN-affiliated Mediation Chamber for Peace. This will make more effective use of the potential of neutral states for peace negotiations and conflict resolution.

Turkmenistan will organize in December 2025, in Ashgabat, an International Forum on Peace and Trust dedicated to the 30th anniversary of permanent neutrality and the International Day of Neutrality. Our country will use the forum’s platform to strengthen multilateral cooperation, including within the framework of the Group of Friends of Neutrality, by holding another high-level meeting.

For the first time, the agenda of the 80th session of the UN General Assembly includes the item “Neutrality for Peace and Security,” which creates new opportunities. In this regard, Turkmenistan will initiate consideration – during the first half of 2026 – of a draft resolution entitled “The Role and Significance of the Policy of Neutrality in Maintaining and Strengthening International Peace, Security and the Process of Sustainable Development,” building on the previously adopted resolution of 2020.

Our country will propose holding in Ashgabat an international forum, “Central Asia – A Space of Peaceful Coexistence,” under the auspices of the UN, UNESCO, and the Alliance of Civilizations, with the participation of the countries of the region, international experts, and institutions.

 

Turkmenistan will continue to support the activities of the UN Office of Counter-Terrorism, deepening cooperation with its programme offices in Málaga. Our country will expand practical cooperation on the basis of the Technical Guide on Protecting Critical Infrastructure from Terrorist Attacks, developed in 2024. Building on consultations held with the UN Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT), Turkmenistan will initiate the establishment in Ashgabat of a permanent UNOCT Programme Office for Early Warning of Terrorism, which will operate on a global scale, drawing on the experience of the early warning network in Central Asia.

Our country will continue engagement with UN structures in the field of peacekeeping, exploring the possibility of providing resources and military and civilian personnel to support the effective functioning of peacekeeping operations.

Turkmenistan will submit for consideration a draft resolution proclaiming an International Day of Mediation, which will underscore the importance of diplomacy and neutral platforms in preventing and resolving conflicts. This day will symbolize the need for the active involvement of the international community in dispute resolution through dialogue, mediation, and cooperation, while also highlighting the importance of neutrality as a tool for ensuring justice and peaceful coexistence.
 

Our country will initiate the convening of a World Summit on the Culture of Peace, Trust, and Mutual Respect among Nations under the auspices of the UN. This summit is intended to become an important event in the global diplomatic calendar, aimed at strengthening mutual understanding and trust among states, cultures, and peoples. One of the summit’s key tasks will be the drafting and adoption of a Global Code of International Trust, which will serve as a universal foundation for building relations among countries on the principles of equality, respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as cooperation and joint solutions to global challenges.

 

Sustainable Development, Transport, and Energy

Turkmenistan attaches special importance to achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and to strengthening global economic and transport-energy connectivity. Our country will actively advance initiatives aimed at building a fair, balanced, and inclusive international development system.

Turkmenistan will initiate the proclamation of a UN Decade for Sustainable Transport (2026–2035) by presenting the relevant draft resolution. This step will consolidate the efforts of the international community to develop transport corridors, enhance their resilience, and ensure accessibility for all countries, including landlocked states.

Our country intends to promote the further development of the Ashgabat Process on Transport, creating on its basis an effective platform for coordinating international and regional transport initiatives. This will synchronize projects and accelerate the creation of a resilient global transport architecture.

Turkmenistan will submit to the Second Committee of the UN General Assembly a draft resolution on “The Key Role of Reliable and Stable Energy Connectivity in Ensuring Sustainable Development,” as part of the implementation of resolution 78/149 adopted on December 19, 2023, at Turkmenistan’s initiative. Implementing this initiative will help to establish transparent and reliable energy flows and to integrate renewable energy sources into the global system.
Turkmenistan intends to put forward an initiative to create a World Platform for Digital Integration under the auspices of the United Nations, based on the principles of equality, trust, and the inadmissibility of using information and communication technologies to the detriment of peace, security, and sustainable development.

 

Environment, Climate, and Water Resources

Turkmenistan considers a priority the development of comprehensive measures to combat climate change, land degradation, and the depletion of water resources. Our country intends to advance initiatives aimed at preserving ecosystems, ensuring the sustainable use of natural resources, and forming international mechanisms for environmental protection.

Turkmenistan will propose the establishment of a Regional Center for Combating Desertification for the countries of Central Asia. Functioning with the support of the relevant UN structures, this center will become an important platform for coordinating the efforts of the states of the region in protecting land resources, restoring ecosystems, and preventing soil degradation. Turkmenistan believes that the creation of such a center will help consolidate regional potential, strengthen cooperation in environmental protection, and make a significant contribution to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, in particular SDG 13 (Climate Action) and SDG 15 (Life on Land).

Our country will promote the drafting and adoption of Regional UN Conventions on the Amu Darya and Syr Darya River Basins. These international legal instruments will provide a solid basis for developing coordinated approaches and mechanisms for the sustainable, fair, and effective management of Central Asia’s transboundary water resources. Turkmenistan is convinced that adopting these instruments will not only strengthen regional environmental and food security, but will also be an important step toward building a long-term architecture of peace, stability, and sustainable development in Central Asia.

Together with the countries of Central Asia, Turkmenistan intends to continue, consistently and systematically, work to define the main goals and objectives of a UN Special Programme for the Aral Sea Basin, in line with ESCAP resolution 79/8 of May 19, 2023, “Consideration of Modalities for the Establishment of a United Nations Special Programme for the Aral Sea Basin.” This programme will focus on comprehensive solutions to the environmental, social, and humanitarian problems of the Aral Sea region.

Our country will advance the Caspian Environmental Initiative, announced by the President of Turkmenistan at the 78th session of the UN General Assembly, which will serve as an international platform for preserving the Caspian Sea ecosystem. An important step in this direction is the Second Caspian Environmental Forum, proposed to be held in 2026.

Turkmenistan will continue efforts to establish a specialized structure – a Regional Center for Climate-Related Technologies in Central Asia. Its activities will be aimed at introducing new technologies for climate change adaptation and mitigation, as well as fostering international cooperation in environmental innovation.

 

Humanitarian Cooperation

Turkmenistan regards humanitarian cooperation as an important element in strengthening trust and mutual understanding among peoples. Our country will initiate and support projects that foster human potential, intercultural dialogue, and the promotion of human rights.

Turkmenistan will initiate the holding of international consultations on “Women, Peace and Security” within the framework of the Central Asian Women’s Dialogue. This format will strengthen the role of women in peacebuilding processes and regional cooperation.

Our country will advance the Central Asian Youth Dialogue, expanding its activities within the framework of the global “Youth, Peace and Security” agenda. Special attention will be given to involving young people in decision-making processes and peacebuilding initiatives.

Our country will submit to the United Nations an initiative to proclaim an International Day of Multilingual Diplomacy. This initiative is aimed at strengthening trust, mutual understanding, and dialogue among peoples through respect for linguistic and cultural diversity.

Turkmenistan will initiate the establishment in Ashgabat of a Regional Platform for Youth Peacebuilding. This center will serve as an international educational and dialogue platform focused on training young specialists in diplomacy, peacebuilding, and the promotion of a culture of tolerance.

Our country intends to submit to the General Assembly a draft resolution on “The Cultural Heritage of the Great Silk Road as a Factor of Peace and Development,” emphasizing the importance of historical and cultural heritage as a foundation for trust, mutual understanding, and cooperation among peoples. This document will help strengthen an atmosphere of friendship and good-neighborliness and will also contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

Our country will continue to promote initiatives in cultural-exhibition and tourism activities aimed at popularizing national heritage, exchanging cultural achievements, and strengthening humanitarian ties.

 

International Law and Cooperation with the United Nations

Turkmenistan consistently advocates strengthening the rule of international law and enhancing the central role of the UN in international affairs. Our country will promote initiatives aimed at improving the international legal framework and bolstering the effectiveness of the Organization’s principal bodies.

Turkmenistan will propose declaring 2028 the Year of International Law, an important step in reinforcing the international legal foundations of peace and cooperation. This initiative will also underscore the role of law in strengthening international stability and ensuring the primacy of the UN Charter.

Turkmenistan will continue to participate actively in UN activities, including as a member of ECOSOC for 2026–2028, as well as within key commissions and bodies. Our country will conduct a campaign to be elected to the UN Security Council as a non-permanent member for 2031–2032 and to other elective bodies, thereby confirming its commitment to active multilateral engagement.

As the depository of the Treaty on a Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone in Central Asia and a party to major treaties in the field of nuclear disarmament, Turkmenistan will consistently uphold the principles of non-proliferation. Our country intends to participate actively in the NPT Review Conference and other forums, support the goals of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, and continue to examine the question of possible accession to it.

 

Conclusion

At the 80th anniversary session of the United Nations General Assembly, Turkmenistan will promote a holistic approach to security and sustainable development based on the principles of neutrality, trust, and multilateral cooperation. Our country reaffirms its readiness for constructive engagement with all UN member states and structures in order to achieve universal peace, security, and prosperity.