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international

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan. My We publish a lot of articles on different kinds of
portfolio primarily focused on managing relations diplomacy, including preventive diplomacy, for
with neighboring countries, particularly Afghani- we are keenly interested in the concept of preven-
stan and Iran, as well as overseeing our ministry’s tive diplomacy. We have learned that the United
collaboration with international organizations. Nations opened the Centre for Preventive Diplo-
macy for Central Asia in Ashgabat with the sup-
This role allowed me to contribute to strength- port of your government. Could you tell us about
ening regional partnerships, fostering dialogue, this Centre, and why in Ashgabat?
and advancing Turkmenistan’s commitment to The United Nations Regional Centre for Preven-
peace and cooperation on a global scale. tive Diplomacy for Central Asia (UNRCCA),
established in Ashgabat in December 2007, rep-
During a recent visit to Turkmenistan, United resents a landmark initiative aimed at fostering
Nations Secretary-General Guterres praised peace, stability, and cooperation in a region of
your country for its ‘policy of neutrality’. Could immense geopolitical significance. Its establish-
you expand on this this policy, apparently so rare ment in Ashgabat reflects Turkmenistan’s active
in our times? commitment to the principles of neutrality, dia-
Turkmenistan’s policy of neutrality, recognized logue, and preventive diplomacy.
and supported by the United Nations through
General Assembly Resolution 50/80 adopted Ashgabat was chosen for several compelling rea-
in 1995, is a cornerstone of our nation’s foreign sons:
policy. This unique status is built upon princi- 1. Turkmenistan’s Neutrality: As a permanently
ples of non-interference, sovereign equality, and neutral state recognized by the United Nations,
peaceful coexistence. It reflects our commitment Turkmenistan provides a unique and impartial
to maintaining friendly and mutually beneficial platform for regional and international dialogue.
relations with all nations, without alignment to This neutrality aligns seamlessly with the goals
any military alliances or blocs. of preventive diplomacy, which emphasize con-
Neutrality is not merely a legal status for Turk- flict prevention, mediation, and peaceful resolu-
menistan; it is a practical and dynamic approach tion of disputes.
to fostering dialogue, building trust, and con- 2. Geographical Centrality: Located at the
tributing to global peace and security. Over the crossroads of Central Asia, Ashgabat is strate-
past three decades, Turkmenistan has hosted gically positioned to facilitate dialogue among
numerous international conferences, facilitated the five Central Asian states (Kazakhstan, Kyr-
regional dialogue. gyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uz-
This policy also extends to humanitarian efforts, bekistan) as well as neighboring regions. This
with Turkmenistan consistently offering assist- centrality makes it an ideal hub for addressing
ance during natural disasters and complex emer- regional challenges that often have cross-border
gencies, guided by principles of impartiality and implications.
independence. 3. Regional Challenges and Cooperation:
At a time when the world faces increasing po- Central Asia faces a range of complex issues,
larization, the relevance of neutrality has only including water resource management, counter-
grown. It serves as a model for fostering collabo- terrorism, border disputes, and the impacts of
ration and trust, aligning with the UN’s vision of climate change. The UNRCCA serves as a criti-
preventive diplomacy and multilateralism. Our cal mechanism for addressing these shared chal-
policy of neutrality actively engages the inter- lenges through preventive measures, fostering
national community to address common chal- cooperation, and encouraging dialogue among
lenges such as sustainable development, climate stakeholders.
change, and regional stability. 4. Turkmenistan’s Advocacy for Preventive
The recent commendation by Secretary-General Diplomacy: Turkmenistan has consistently ad-
Guterres reaffirms Turkmenistan’s contribution vocated for preventive diplomacy as a key tool
to these global efforts, underscoring neutrality’s for conflict prevention and sustainable develop-
importance as a tool for peace and a bridge be- ment. Hosting the UNRCCA underscores our
tween nations. nation’s dedication to multilateral efforts that

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