Positive cooperation with international organisations and states underlies Turkmenistan’s foreign policy. The history of the independent neutral state has many examples of such active contacts and the successful promotion on ideas on various global platforms. The outgoing year 2023 has the markers of success in the foreign policy of Turkmenistan as well. A publicist Vadim Shagiakhmedov shared the details in an interview with the editors of CentralAsia.news.
A storehouse of world treasures
Preserving the cultural heritage of humanity is one of the main functions of UNESCO — the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. It is this agency that ‘is in charge’ of the masterpieces of world culture, and the unique creations of Turkmen craftsmen and musicians are kept in this storehouse of world treasures. For example, the new nominations — «Art of Akhal-Teke horse breeding and traditions of horses’ decoration» have been inscribed on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity this year.
Jointly with Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, Turkmenistan proposed the multilateral nominations «The Great Silk Road: Zarafshan-Karakum Corridor» and «Turan Deserts of the Temperate Zone» jointly with Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. In this vein, white-marble Ashgabat was included in the UNESCO Creative Cities Network in the Cities of Design category at the initiative of Chairman of Halk Maslahaty Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov.
Formulas of peace
The world has many faces, and each country is unique in its development. However, constructive solutions are required for the peaceful coexistence of the peoples on planet Earth. One of such tools for resolving all kinds of conflicts is the Global Security Strategy under the aegis of the United Nations.
Turkmenistan therefore proposes setting up a UN initiative group to develop this fruitful concept. In this context, Turkmenistan is taking consistent measures to promote the Dialogue is a Guarantee of Peace Initiative, which is a formula of peaceful and trusting relations among nations.
The leading role of the UN Regional Centre
In February this year, the UN General Assembly adopted the Resolution «The role of the UN Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia» at the initiative of Turkmenistan. The UN Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia (UNRCCA), established in Ashgabat in 2007, is undoubtedly an authoritative organisation. It works towards strengthening regional dialogue, thereby reducing potential risks of all kinds of conflicts.
This Resolution pioneers the importance of regular contacts between the Centre and the regional organisations in Central Asia that work towards enhancing peace and stability and highlights the need to apply the UNRCCA’s work experience in other regions of the world to develop a global conflict early warning system under the auspices of the UN.
A new proposal
In November, the Resolution on World Sustainable Transport Day was adopted at the initiative of Turkmenistan at the 70th plenary meeting of the 77th session of the UN General Assembly. One of the critical features of modern transport policy is to reduce its adverse impact on the environment and human health. In this vein, the term «Sustainable Transport» is used as a logical continuation of sustainable development. In this regard, an urgent challenge to creating and operating new international transport corridors is a challenge of ensuring environmental safety.
Environmental protection and conservation of natural resources for present and future generations are the key priorities of the socio-economic policy of the Government of Turkmenistan. Today, the global environmental agenda is more intense than ever, and ensuring environmental safety and mitigating adverse impacts on the environment are key factors for sustainable development and the groundwork for successful international cooperation.
A significant event
The growing authority of Turkmenistan in the international arena was confirmed by the annual Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28) in the United Arab Emirates, at which Turkmenistan joined the Global Methane Pledge. Currently, the society advancing climate agenda is relevant at the planetary and national levels due to increasing climate risks that have affected nearly all countries of the world. The international community therefore focuses on significant changes driven by global energy transformation and global economic shifts.
The Global Methane Pledge proposes regulations aimed at reducing methane emissions. It was developed by experts ahead of the COP 26 UN Climate Change Conference, which was held in Glasgow in 2021. Actions taken through this international initiative to cut methane emissions will significantly slow down global warming. By joining the Global Methane Pledge, Turkmenistan bolsters cooperation with international organisations and partner countries not only in addressing climate change, but also in protecting the planet for the present and future generations of humanity.
