Statement by President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov at the Seventh Summit of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA)

Check against delivery

Mr. Chairman!
Distinguished Heads of State and Government!
Ladies and Gentlemen!

First of all, allow me to express my sincere appreciation to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, His Excellency Ilham Aliyev, for the excellent organization of this Summit, the traditional hospitality and the favourable conditions created for constructive work.

Turkmenistan regards the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia as an important international platform intended to promote peace, security, mutual trust and sustainable development on our continent.

We highly appreciate the results of the Republic of Azerbaijan’s Chairmanship of CICA. In this context, I would like to emphasize that Azerbaijan, as Chair of this platform and firmly committed to its goals and objectives, has demonstrated determination and consistency in implementing measures for interaction and confidence-building, while actively contributing to the expansion of international cooperation.

Distinguished Participants!

This Summit is taking place at a time of profound geopolitical and geoeconomic transformations. The current international situation and new security challenges require coordinated action by States in the interests of strengthening peace, security and predictability in international relations.

Strict compliance with international law and the Charter of the United Nations is of fundamental importance in this regard.

In this connection, we attach particular importance to strengthening the international legal foundations necessary to put into practice joint efforts aimed at ensuring international stability. As you know, Turkmenistan has put forward initiatives to proclaim 2028 the Year of International Law and to declare 2027–2037 the United Nations Decade of Dialogue and Preventive Diplomacy.

I am convinced that strengthening the potential of international law and preventive diplomacy can also prove valuable within our dialogue, above all for preventing conflicts, building trust and finding mutually acceptable solutions.

We count on the international community’s support for these initiatives. We also consider it important to make wider use of the potential of the United Nations Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia, headquartered in Ashgabat.

Alongside political conditions, stronger economic connectivity, expanded mutually beneficial trade and reliable transport and logistics chains are important factors in secure and sustainable global development. In a changing world economy, particular importance attaches to diversifying transport routes, developing multimodal transport and removing the infrastructural and procedural barriers that constrain regional cooperation.

Following the adoption, at Turkmenistan’s initiative, of the United Nations General Assembly resolution on the Decade of Sustainable Transport for 2026–2035, our country has consistently advanced initiatives to develop international cooperation in transport and logistics.

These include developing a Global Atlas of Sustainable Transport Connectivity and establishing transcontinental transport routes that provide Central and South Asia with access to European markets through the Caspian Sea.

Overall, we advocate making fuller use of the potential of East-West and North-South transport corridors, as well as expanding international cooperation in logistics and facilitating trade procedures.

We believe it would be useful to develop ministerial-level dialogue on transport within the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia. Such a format would enable the exchange of national experience, the identification of existing obstacles and the formulation of practical recommendations in the interests of all interested States.

The digital dimension of international cooperation is becoming increasingly important. Artificial intelligence and other advanced technologies offer broad opportunities for economic development, more effective public administration and improved diplomatic tools.

At the same time, their use requires a responsible approach based on international law, trust and consideration of the interests of all States.

In this connection, Turkmenistan is proposing the development of an International Code for the Peaceful Use of Artificial Intelligence in International Relations and Diplomacy.

Climate change and environmental security remain major challenges of our time. Turkmenistan consistently advocates stronger international cooperation in these areas. We attach particular importance to combining the efforts of the States participating in our format to use water resources sustainably, introduce modern environmental technologies and strengthen the resilience of national economies in the face of global climate change.

As a practical contribution to international environmental cooperation, Turkmenistan is proposing the establishment of the Ashgabat Climate Dialogue, a multilateral platform for exchanging experience and coordinating approaches to climate change adaptation, combating desertification and drought, the sustainable use of water resources and the promotion of green solutions.

We invite interested States and international partners to support this initiative. We believe that CICA has considerable potential to implement joint projects and disseminate effective solutions in the interests of sustainable environmental development.

The humanitarian dimension is an integral part of our cooperation. The historical ties, rich cultural heritage and centuries-old traditions of good-neighbourliness of the Conference’s participating States provide a solid foundation for stronger mutual understanding and trust.

Turkmenistan fully supports expanded academic exchanges and active partnerships within CICA’s youth platforms.

In this context, we are convinced of the need to substantially develop youth diplomacy as an effective instrument for engaging the younger generation in restoring a culture of peaceful dialogue.

A practical step in this direction could be the establishment of a Network of Young Ambassadors of Trust, comprising active, talented and forward-looking young people from our countries, to promote the ideals of peace, tolerance and constructive intercultural dialogue.

Distinguished Participants!

Turkmenistan attaches great importance to the work of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia and consistently supports its goals and principles. As an observer State, our country is ready to continue contributing constructive initiatives and proposals aimed at expanding multilateral cooperation in Asia.

(Baku, 15 October 2026)

Source: TDH