Foreign diplomats, representatives of authoritative international organisations and local officials attended the event.
On January 29, the festive event marking the start of the International Year of Peace and Trust, declared by the UN Resolution at the initiative of the Turkmen leader Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, had taken place at the Institute of International Relations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan, a correspondent for the online resource CentralAsia.news reported.
Representatives of the international organisations, ambassadors and local officials attended the event.
In her opening remarks, Acting UN Resident Coordinator in Turkmenistan, UNICEF Representative Christine Weigand highlighted the significant role of the International Year of Peace and Trust in promoting mutual understanding among nations.
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan Rashid Meredov expressed gratitude to the participants in the event for supporting the initiative. He said President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov had noted the specificity of the idea of declaring the International Year of Peace and Trust.
The Minister said this initiative had resulted from in-depth analysis of the global situation. He added that the Turkmen leader had expressed concern at the escalation of military and political tension and disregard for the global rule of law.
The idea of President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov was an appeal to all nations to take responsibility for what was happening in the world, as well as to begin to assess objectively an international situation and look at it from various points of view, Meredov stressed.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs noted that the 25th anniversary of neutrality of Turkmenistan had preceded the International Year of Peace and Trust. He emphasised that December 12 was declared as the International Day of Neutrality at the initiative of the Turkmen leader. He noted that over 20 countries had joined the Group of Friends of Neutrality.
Meredov said the states should focus on three important areas this year:
1. strengthening international law, affirming the leading role of the UN in maintaining global peace;
2. implementing disarmament agreements and preventing the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction;
3. uncompromising fight against international terrorism and cross-border crime.
The vectors of interstate activities also included the fight against coronavirus infection.
Head of the UNRCCA Natalia Gherman emphasised the key role of the International Year of Peace and Trust in achieving the well-being of the world community.
Head of the OSCE Centre in Turkmenistan Natalya Drozd highly evaluated the contribution of the Central Asian country to the social and economic recovery of Afghanistan. In this context, she mentioned the recent opening of the Akina-Andkhoy railway, Kerki-Shibirghan power line and Ymamnazar-Akina and Serhetabat-Turghundi fibre optic lines.
President of the 75th Session of the United Nations General Assembly Volkan Bozkir said today the need for peace and trust was greater than ever before.
Permanent Representative of Turkmenistan to the United Nations Aksoltan Atayeva highly evaluated the initiatives of President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov aimed at implementing the SDGs. Minister of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan Jeyhun Bayramov said the International Year of Peace and Trust would enhance a culture of peace.
Chairman of the CIS Executive Committee Sergei Lebedev highlighted the important role of Turkmenistan in promoting friendly relations globally.
Secretary-General of the Conference on Disarmament Tatiana Valovaya, Executive Secretary of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization Lassina Zerbo noted Turkmenistan's efforts in promoting peaceful relations among nations.
At the outcome of the forum, the Roadmap for the International Year of Peace and Trust was adopted.
2021 was declared as the International Year of Peace and Trust at the 73rd session of the UN General Assembly.
