Statement by the Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan at the Welcome Ceremony – Third United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries

Check against delivery

 

Awaza, 5 August 2025

 

Excellencies,

Dear Secretary-General of the United Nations,

Dear Heads of State,

Distinguished Leaders and High Representatives of Governments and Parliaments,

Heads of International Organizations,

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

On behalf of the people of Turkmenistan, I extend a warm and heartfelt welcome to each of you, and express our sincere gratitude for your participation in the Third United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries.

The broad and high-level participation in this Forum is a sign of deep respect for Turkmenistan and a reflection of the trust placed in our country’s international standing - its commitment to fostering cooperation, mutual understanding, and shared progress.

We welcome you, esteemed guests, to the land of Turkmenistan - as valued partners and like-minded friends - united in the noble pursuit of peace, development, and prosperity for our planet.

Welcome to Turkmenistan!

Dear Participants,

The convening of this Conference is both timely and necessary. It forms part of a longstanding effort by our countries to enhance the voice and role of developing nations in global processes, to bring attention to their challenges and rightful aspirations, and to ensure they occupy a dignified place in the evolving world order.

This applies fully to the countries represented here today - nations that form a significant part of the developing world. We believe that the time has come to craft and implement new, targeted, and effective mechanisms of cooperation addressing the specific needs of landlocked developing countries.

I take this opportunity to express deep appreciation to the Secretary-General of the United Nations, H.E. Mr. António Guterres, and to the leadership of relevant UN bodies and agencies for their steadfast support and invaluable assistance in preparing for this Forum.

We see in this support a clear and powerful message: a recognition of Turkmenistan’s consistent and constructive role as a responsible member of the international community. Our foreign policy priorities are firm and unwavering, and at the heart of these is a strategic commitment to partnership with the United Nations.

This choice is rooted in deep values and strategic vision. Turkmenistan’s long-term national goals are fully aligned with the core principles of the United Nations. Our initiatives and actions in the international arena are measured against the work of the UN, its programmatic goals, and its global decisions.

For Turkmenistan, the United Nations is a universally legitimate and indispensable international institution - the backbone of the contemporary global order, the guarantor of peace and stability, and the foundation of the international security architecture. We firmly believe that, especially in today’s geopolitical climate, the ideals enshrined in the UN Charter must remain the legal and moral cornerstone of international relations.

It is in this context that I wish to emphasize the significance of hosting this Conference in neutral Turkmenistan, in the year proclaimed by the UN as the International Year of Peace and Trust.

Turkmenistan believes in the United Nations - and in its immense potential for good. Our multifaceted partnership with the Organization remains a central pillar of our foreign policy. It has proven effective, consistent with our long-term national development priorities, and supportive of global cooperation.

Dear Friends,

This year marks the 30th anniversary of the international recognition of Turkmenistan’s neutrality, a historic decision made within the halls of the United Nations - an institution that also commemorates its own 80th anniversary this year.

In this light, we understand Turkmenistan’s neutrality not only as a national status but also as a shared achievement of the international community. We view neutrality as a mechanism for building bridges of understanding, as a platform for respectful dialogue on critical global issues, and as a foundation for responsible engagement across political, economic, environmental, humanitarian, and cultural domains.

This Conference itself exemplifies this approach. We have strived to create an atmosphere of hospitality, cooperation, and mutual respect for all participants.

Our hearts, thoughts, and intentions are open to the world. This spirit defines Turkmenistan’s foreign policy. The values of the Turkmen people - our respect for others, readiness to assist, and commitment to solidarity - are reflected in our conduct on the international stage. This is more than a political stance - it is the philosophy of our diplomacy.

Naturally, we ground this philosophy in our own heritage - our deep-rooted traditions, culture, and identity. The Turkmen people have a rich and ancient history. Yet, we also see ourselves as part of a broader human family, and we are committed to making a meaningful contribution to its future.

Turkmenistan is actively leveraging its experience and partnerships in key areas of cooperation, including:

• Restoration of constructive political and diplomatic dialogue,
• Strengthening the authority of international law and the role of the United Nations,
• Advancing the Sustainable Development Goals,
• Enhancing transport connectivity,
• Promoting energy, water, and food security,
• Improving access to healthcare, and
• Addressing humanitarian challenges.

Turkmenistan advocates for coordinated, forward-looking approaches to international cooperation. We believe this should be rooted in a shared commitment to using the economic and political potential of all states and international structures responsibly - for the common good of development and prosperity.

In this regard, the objectives of our Conference are wide-ranging, ambitious, and global in scope. They aim to generate significant momentum for political, economic, and cultural engagement, scientific exchange, and enriched multilateral partnerships.

We believe the countries gathered here are uniquely positioned to lead these efforts - to model partnership approaches that can be replicated elsewhere, and to contribute meaningfully to the collective well-being of humanity.

We also underscore the importance of inter-parliamentary dialogue, and of fostering cooperation through women’s, youth, children’s, and sports initiatives. Turkmenistan, in partnership with international organizations, has hosted numerous such events that have become highly regarded on the global stage.

We therefore strongly support the inclusion of dedicated segments in this Conference, including:

• The Ministerial Meeting on South-South Cooperation,
• The Civil Society and Private Sector Forums,
• The Women Leaders’ Forum,
• The Parliamentary and Youth Forums.

Today, the full arsenal of diplomacy - including people-to-people diplomacy - must be mobilized to promote peace, deepen understanding, and uphold the shared aspirations of nations and peoples for mutual cooperation.

We sincerely hope that the Third UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries - and its outcome documents - will form a solid foundation for enhanced collaboration going forward.

This Forum should stand as a testament to the shared will, unity, and determination of its participants - Heads of State and Government, and the leaders of the world’s foremost international institutions - to build an effective platform for dialogue and joint action.

I wish all participants every success in their work, and in our common efforts to strengthen cooperation and achieve our shared vision of a peaceful, prosperous, and just world.

Thank you.