On 19 May, as part of the proclamation of 2025 as the International Year of Peace and Trust and in honour of the 30th anniversary of Turkmenistan’s permanent neutrality, a round table was held at the Consulate General of Turkmenistan in Afghanistan (Mazar-i-Sharif).
The event was attended by the Head of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) Roza Otunbayeva, Head of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) in the northern provinces of Afghanistan Rubin Edward Kulpin, Head of the UN Women office in Balkh province Sagipa Jusayeva, as well as heads of consular offices of Russia, Uzbekistan and the office of the Embassy of Kazakhstan in Mazar-i-Sharif and others.
During the round table, the participants discussed topical issues of international and regional agenda, exchanged views on modern geopolitical processes and noted the growing importance of peaceful dialogue and multilateral cooperation in the context of modern challenges.
The participants of the round table were informed about the initiative of Turkmenistan to declare 2025 as the “International Year of Peace and Trust” by the UN General Assembly, and it was also noted that this event coincides with the 30th anniversary of Turkmenistan’s Neutrality and the 80th anniversary of the United Nations, which became a clear expression of recognition of Turkmenistan’s foreign policy, successfully implemented by the President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov and the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov.
Particular attention was paid to the relevance of the upcoming forum in Ashgabat as a platform for promoting the principles of open dialogue and trust between states, as well as other events held at the highest and high levels in honor of the 30th anniversary of Turkmenistan’s neutrality throughout the “International Year of Peace and Trust”.
Roza Otunbayeva highly appreciated the initiatives of the Turkmen state aimed at strengthening peace, expressing interest in further development of co-operation between the UN structures and Turkmenistan. The UN Special Representative noted that as part of efforts to establish peace in Afghanistan, overcome the economic and humanitarian crises, Turkmenistan and other Central Asian states are conducting a targeted dialogue with the current government of Afghanistan on political, trade, economic, humanitarian and other issues, as well as in the context of implementing various regional projects.
The participants of the round table unanimously emphasized that the status of positive and permanent Neutrality of Turkmenistan is an effective tool for peacekeeping, strengthening security and stability in the regional and global dimensions.
