On March 21, 2025, during the 61st plenary meeting of the 79th session of the UN General Assembly, the Resolution “Permanent Neutrality of Turkmenistan” was adopted under Agenda item 61 “Peacebuilding and Peacekeeping” by consensus.
Introducing the Resolution, Permanent Representative of Turkmenistan to the United Nations Aksoltan Atayeva emphasized that the status of permanent neutrality is the basis of Turkmenistan’s foreign policy and the foundation for implementation of the country’s balanced peacekeeping doctrine in the international arena.
It was noted that Turkmenistan, relying on the comprehensive support of the world community for its neutral vector since the adoption of the first UN General Assembly resolution on the Permanent Neutrality of Turkmenistan on December 12, 1995, has been steadily demonstrating its effectiveness as a key instrument for the implementation of preventive diplomacy at the regional and global levels.
A.Atayeva emphasized that neutrality is embedded both in the domestic and foreign policy of the country, as well as enshrined in the Constitutional Law of Turkmenistan on Permanent Neutrality and is based on the historical heritage and traditions of Turkmen people, that put peace, dialogue and mutual respect in the essence of state building.
In particular, the Resolution recommends that the territories of neutral countries should be used for peaceful talks.
The practical implementation of Turkmenistan’s neutral policy is reflected in such key institutions and forms of maintaining and strengthening peace and security in the region as the United Nations Regional Center for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia in Ashgabat and Zone of Peace, Trust and Cooperation of Central Asia.
Upon the initiative of Turkmenistan, in 2017, the UN General Assembly proclaimed December 12 as the International Day of Neutrality, the Group of Friends of Neutrality was established on the UN platform, and this year landmark events are being held within the framework of the International Year of Peace and Trust. ///MFA Turkmenistan, 23 March 2025
Permanent neutrality of Turkmenistan
The General Assembly,
Recalling its resolutions 50/80 A of 12 December 1995 and 69/285 of 3 June
2015 on the permanent neutrality of Turkmenistan,
Recalling also its resolutions 71/275 of 2 February 2017 on the proclamation of the International Day of Neutrality and 75/28 of 7 December 2020 on the role and importance of a policy of neutrality in maintaining and strengthening international peace, security and sustainable development,
Reaffirming the sovereign right of every State to determine independently its foreign policy in accordance with the norms and principles of international law, including the Charter of the United Nations,
Underlining that the national policies of neutrality of some States can contribute to the strengthening of international peace and security in relevant regions and at the global level and can play an important role in developing peaceful, friendly and mutually beneficial relations between the countries of the world,
Acknowledging that such national policies of neutrality are aimed at promoting the use of preventive diplomacy, including through the prevention of conflict, mediation, good offices, negotiation, the use of special envoys, informal consultations, peacebuilding and targeted development activities,
Recognizing that the status of permanent neutrality of Turkmenistan contributes to the strengthening of peace and security in the region, and the active and positive role that Turkmenistan plays in developing peaceful, friendly and mutually beneficial relations with the countries of the region and other States of the world,
Underlining the contribution of neutral Turkmenistan in the United Nations -led inter-Tajik talks, through the initiative to host a continuous round of inter -Tajik talks in Ashgabat in 1995 and 1996, and in addressing conflict in Afghanistan by hosting inter-Afghan talks and an international forum on Afghanistan in 1997 and continuing to offer the territory of Turkmenistan for further inclusive, Afghan -led dialogue on reconciliation,
Welcoming the initiatives of neutral Turkmenistan directed at further strengthening economic, social, cultural and environmental cooperation in Central Asia and the Caspian Sea region,
Expressing its gratitude to the Government of Turkmenistan for its valuable contribution to strengthening international peace and security by strongly upholding its policy of permanent neutrality and hosting annual international conferences dedicated to advancing the principles and values of neutrality as a means of achieving peace and sustainable development,
Recalling the outcome document of the international conference on the theme “Policy of neutrality and its significance in ensuring international peace, security and sustainable development” (Ashgabat outcome document), adopted on 12 December 2020,1
Welcoming the proclamation of the International Year of Peace and Trust, 2025, through its resolution 78/266 of 21 March 2024, as well as the declaration of the zone of peace, trust and cooperation of Central Asia through its resolution 76/299 of 28 July 2022, at the initiative of Turkmenistan,
Recalling its resolutions 72/7 of 17 November 2017, 75/272 of 16 April 2021 and 77/273 of 24 February 2023, and recognizing that the United Nations Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia, established in Ashgabat in December 2007 at the initiative of all Central Asian States and with the support of the international community, plays an important role in assisting the Central Asian States in addressing regional challenges by encouraging and facilitating closer cooperation among them, identifying and tackling potential sources of tension before possible escalation and responding to domestic and transnational challenges and threats to peace and security by supporting the sustainable development of the region,
Recognizing the positive role that neutral Turkmenistan plays in the provision and delivery of humanitarian assistance in situations of complex emergencies and natural disasters in the region, in accordance with the guiding principles for the strengthening of the coordination of humanitarian emergency assistance of the United Nations,2 including the principle of neutrality,
Underlining the importance of the economic and geoeconomic aspects of the neutrality of Turkmenistan for regional interconnectivity, which is conducive to regional development, and in this regard welcoming the initiatives of Turkmenistan on the stable transit of energy and the development of reliable transport and transit corridors, as reflected in relevant General Assembly resolutions, 3
Noting the support of the Movement of Non-Aligned Countries for the status of permanent neutrality of Turkmenistan expressed in the Final Document of the Eleventh Conference of Heads of State or Government of Non -Aligned Countries, held in Cartagena de Indias, Colombia, from 18 to 20 October 1995,4
Noting also the resolutions of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation that support the permanent neutrality of Turkmenistan and underscore the role of a policy of neutrality in maintaining and strengthening international peace, security and sustainable development,
- Reiterates its strong support for the status of permanent neutrality declared by Turkmenistan;
- Calls once again upon States Members of the United Nations to respect and support this status of Turkmenistan and to respect its independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity;
- Encourages the effective use of the territories of neutral countries for hosting peace talks and conflict resolution and settlement processes, including through the establishment of dedicated mediation facilities, and notes the proposal of Turkmenistan to set up on its territory the Peace Mediation Chamber under the auspices of the United Nations, which would require evaluation by Member States and the United Nations system;
- Notes the work of the Group of Friends of Neutrality for Peace, Security and Sustainable Development, an informal group established at the initiative of Turkmenistan in August 2020 and operating on the basis of the final declaration of the first ministerial meeting of the Group5 to maintain a wide multilateral dialogue on the practical implementation of the principles of neutrality in preventing conflicts, eliminating the root causes and consequences of conflicts, resolving humanitarian challenges and promoting neutrality in international relations;
- Requests the Secretary-General, in consultation with Member States and other relevant actors, to develop, within existing resources, guidance for upholding and implementing the principles of neutrality for peace and security, with a specific focus on consolidating lessons learned and key principles for the effective application of neutrality in international relations;
- Welcomes the decision of the Government of Turkmenistan to host an international forum, in December 2025, devoted to the International Year of Peace and Trust, 2025, the International Day of Neutrality and the thirtieth anniversary of the permanent neutrality of Turkmenistan;
- Decides to include in the provisional agenda of its eightieth session, under the item entitled “Peacebuilding and sustaining peace”, a sub-item entitled “Neutrality for peace and security”.
///Press UN.org