Hero - Arkadag Held a Phone Conversation with UN Secretary-General António Guterres

On January 14, a phone conversation took place between the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of Halk Maslahaty Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, and the United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres.

Warmly greeting each other, the interlocutors exchanged congratulations and best wishes on the occasion of the New Year.

Expressing gratitude for the opportunity to discuss the priority areas of cooperation during the call, Hero-Arkadag shared pleasant memories of the fruitful and constructive meeting with the UN Secretary-General held last summer in Ashgabat. Taking the opportunity, the National Leader of the Turkmen people conveyed greetings and respect on behalf of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov.

In response, UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed appreciation for the kind words and extended warm greetings and best wishes to the President of Turkmenistan. He emphasized the UN's focus on cooperation with Turkmenistan, a neutral state advocating for peace at both regional and global levels. The UN Secretary-General also commended Turkmenistan's policies and initiatives aimed at promoting global peace, welfare, and sustainable development.

As is known, the President of Turkmenistan issued a decree establishing the State Organizational Committee to oversee high-level events marking the declaration of 2025 as the “International Year of Peace and Trust” and the 30th anniversary of Turkmenistan's neutrality. Recently, under the chairmanship of the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, the committee held its first meeting. During this session, Hero-Arkadag reviewed organizational preparations for celebrating the 30th anniversary of neutrality and issued specific instructions to relevant officials. He also emphasized the importance of consultations with UN divisions for developing and implementing Turkmenistan’s Concept of Activities and Priorities within the framework of the International Year of Peace and Trust. Hero-Arkadag outlined the key directions of this Concept during the phone conversation.

The National Leader noted that this year, the International Year of Peace and Trust is officially launched at the UN headquarters, which Turkmenistan regards as a conceptually significant milestone in the UN’s history, coinciding with the organization’s 80th anniversary in 2025.

In this context, Hero-Arkadag highlighted the symbolic importance of 2025, which marks the 30th anniversary of Turkmenistan's internationally recognized status as a permanently neutral state. The Chairman of Halk Maslahaty reaffirmed that strategic cooperation with the United Nations remains a top priority of Turkmenistan's foreign policy.

During the phone call, Hero-Arkadag briefed the UN Secretary-General on Turkmenistan’s plans for 2025, to be implemented in partnership with the organization.

It was noted that a Concept of Activities and Priorities for Turkmenistan in the International Year of Peace and Trust has been developed. The document reflects Turkmenistan’s stance on key global issues and emphasizes fostering mutual trust, dialogue, and shared responsibility among states.

Hero-Arkadag expressed hope for the UN's support in achieving the goals outlined in the Concept, envisioning 2025 as a year of transformation.

The Concept also aligns with the outcomes of the “Summit of the Future” convened by the UN in September of the previous year, positioning Turkmenistan’s contribution as integral to implementing its final document, the “Pact for the Future.”

The UN Secretary-General voiced his full support for the Concept and commended its focus on addressing pressing global challenges.

Discussing forthcoming priorities, Hero-Arkadag emphasized Turkmenistan’s proposal to develop a Global Security Strategy under the UN’s auspices. One of its central elements involves utilizing preventive diplomacy to resolve and prevent conflicts effectively.

Hero-Arkadag stressed the importance of leveraging neutrality to bolster the UN’s peace efforts and foster a culture of trustful dialogue to ensure global security.

Confident in the potential of these proposals to ease global tensions, the National Leader reiterated Turkmenistan’s commitment to advancing dialogue on regional security during the International Year of Peace and Trust.

Touching on Central Asia, Hero-Arkadag pointed to Turkmenistan’s initiatives, such as the UN General Assembly resolutions “Zone of Peace, Trust, and Cooperation of Central Asia” and the “Treaty on a Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone in Central Asia.”

He also addressed critical regional issues, including water resources, emphasizing that solutions should adhere to international law and consider regional interests. Turkmenistan advocates international engagement, particularly by the UN, to mitigate risks associated with water management.

Regarding Afghanistan, Hero-Arkadag reaffirmed Turkmenistan’s support for peace, economic reconstruction, and social stability in the neighboring country. Turkmenistan continues to engage in major economic projects, including the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline, electricity transmission to Pakistan via Afghanistan, and railway construction. Humanitarian aid and infrastructure development also remain priorities for Turkmenistan’s engagement with Afghanistan.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres acknowledged the significance of Turkmenistan’s proposals and initiatives for regional and global peace, prosperity, and development.

Hero-Arkadag further proposed establishing two peacekeeping centers in Turkmenistan to support UN peace efforts.

He emphasized Turkmenistan’s readiness to advance national and global sustainable development goals, particularly through initiatives like the Global Framework Program for Transition to a Circular Economy and the Global Atlas of Sustainable Transport Connectivity.

In conclusion, the phone conversation reaffirmed the mutual commitment to strengthening strategic cooperation for peace and sustainable development. Hero-Arkadag invited the UN Secretary-General to attend the International Forum in Ashgabat in December 2025, marking the 30th anniversary of neutrality.

The phone conversation took place at the initiative of the UN Secretary-General.

Source: State News Agency of Turkmenistan