The Group of Friends of Neutrality for Peace, Security and Sustainable Development serves as a platform to develop under the auspices of the United Nations a wide multilateral dialogue on the practical application of the principles of neutrality in preventing conflicts, eliminating their causes and consequences, and resolving humanitarian issues.
Turkmenistan initiated the establishment of this Group of Friends to facilitate regular dialogue internationally, in particular within the United Nations, on the practical use of the peacekeeping and peacebuilding potential of countries building their policies on the principles of neutrality.
Using the positive experience of currently functioning multilateral Groups on various issues of international agenda, the abovementioned Group of Friends acts as an informal association to strengthen political dialogue within the United Nations and to develop previously unexplored tools for strengthening peace and security.
Today more than 20 countries (see list below) joined this Group, in particular the co-sponsors of the United Nations General Assembly resolutions “International Day of Neutrality” of February 2, 2017[1], “The Role and Importance of a Policy of Neutrality in Maintaining and Strengthening International Peace, Security and Sustainable Development” of December 7, 2020[2].
Regular meetings of the Group of Friends will lead to the establishment of a stable political and diplomatic platform for promoting the principles of neutrality in international relations.
The First Meeting of the Group of Friends of Neutrality for Peace, Security and Sustainable Development at the ambassadorial level took place in New York on 27 August 2020, which reaffirmed the adherence to the principles enshrined in the UN Charter including those of sovereignty and the sovereign equality of States, territorial integrity and non-intervention in the internal affairs of any State, and to defend, promote and encourage the settlement of international disputes by peaceful means in such a manner that international peace and security are not endangered.
The First Ministerial Meeting of the Group of Friends of Neutrality for Peace, Security and Sustainable development took place in Ashgabat on 10 December 2022.
The Final Declaration adopted during the Ministerial Meeting[3] confirmed the following format and working methods of the Group of Friends of Neutrality:
Note: Countries and international organizations are able to join the Group of Friends of Neutrality by sending diplomatic notes or letters of intent or by joining the abovementioned Ministerial Declaration.
[1] United Nations General Assembly Resolution A/RES/71/275.
[2] United Nations General Assembly Resolution A/RES/75/28.
[3] Document A/77/778 of the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly.
Members
of the Group of Friends of Neutrality for Peace,
Security and Sustainable development