Briefing on the occasion of 20th Anniversary of the Recognition by the International Community of the Legal Status of Permanent Neutrality of Turkmenistan

Ambassador Haljanov
Dear Colleagues and Friends:

It is a pleasure to be here with you to mark the 20th anniversary of the international recognition of the permanent neutrality of Turkmenistan, as enshrined in General Assembly Resolution 50/80 adopted in December 1995. And many congratulations to Turkmenistan on this important milestone.

The Resolution welcomed the desire of Turkmenistan to play an active and positive role in developing peaceful, friendly and mutually beneficial relations with countries of the region and other States of the world. And the declaration of neutrality has exactly become a foundation of an active global engagement, which also benefits the international community here in Geneva. This beautiful room, which we inaugurated together in December of last year, is a very practical and much-appreciated manifestation of that engagement. And it is already serving a very valuable role in enabling exchange and dialogue in the service of the work of the United Nations.

I commend the initiative to mark the 20th anniversary of the recognition of the permanent neutrality to take stock of achievements and to examine how this status can be used in facilitating greater cooperation in new areas. There is growing insecurity in many parts of the world, alongside significant progress on economic indicators. This creates tension and generates an even greater need for collaborative approaches and partnerships to ensure stability and cohesion.

We appreciate that Turkmenistan works closely with many parts of the United Nations, and also hosts the United Nations Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia. As we now mark the 70th anniversary of the United Nations, I believe we need to reassess and strengthen our work on conflict prevention. This Organization was built to prevent and not to react to conflict. I therefore especially appreciate Turkmenistan’s commitment to preventive diplomacy, and I believe that the work of the Regional Centre can inspire other regions.

I hope that we use both these anniversaries as opportunities to place greater emphasis on preventive approaches, not least by building institutions and processes that empower individuals and ensure respect for human rights. As the world’s capital for the promotion and protection of human rights, International Geneva will have a particularly prominent role to play, and I am confident that we can bring these collective strengths to bear in forging a forward-looking new global agenda focused on prevention.

Once again, I congratulate Turkmenistan on the anniversary and wish you constructive exchanges today.

Thank you very much.