The UN Held the Opening Ceremony of the International Year of Peace and Trust

On January 17, 2025, a solemn ceremony to mark the opening of the International Year of Peace and Trust was held at the UN headquarters in New York in the Economic and Social Council chamber.

The event, organized by the Permanent Mission of Turkmenistan to the United Nations, was attended by high-ranking UN representatives.

In his speech, the representative of Turkmenistan emphasized the significance of the International Year of Peace and Trust. This year, the country celebrates the 30th anniversary of its permanent neutrality status, enshrined in relevant UN General Assembly resolutions adopted in 1995 and 2015.

Speakers at the opening ceremony included Miroslav Jenča, Assistant Secretary-General of the UN, Miguel Ángel Moratinos, Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations, Vladimir Voronkov, Under-Secretary-General and Head of the UN Counter-Terrorism Office, and Ivor Richard Fung, Chief of Staff to the President of the 79th session of the UN General Assembly.

On behalf of the UN Secretary-General, Miroslav Jenča highlighted Turkmenistan’s central role in promoting a culture of peace, trust, and dialogue globally. He expressed gratitude to the leadership of Turkmenistan for its support of the United Nations’ efforts to enhance stability and security on both regional and global levels.

In this context, the significance of the January 14, 2025, telephone conversation between the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, and UN Secretary-General António Guterres was particularly underscored.

During the speeches, participants shared their perspectives on implementing the goals outlined in Turkmenistan’s Concept of Activities and Priorities within the framework of the International Year of Peace and Trust. Opinions were exchanged on planned events for the current year.

Notably, the International Forum of Peace and Trust is scheduled to take place in Ashgabat in December 2025. This forum will bring together participants from around the world to consolidate efforts and develop concrete steps toward strengthening the global culture of peace.

The second part of the event featured speeches from heads of diplomatic missions, including Uganda on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement, Iraq on behalf of the “Group of 77,” Egypt on behalf of the Arab Group, Venezuela on behalf of the Group of Friends in Defense of the UN Charter, the Executive Secretary of the Group of Friends on Sustainable Transport, and other delegations.

Participants endorsed the "Roadmap" based on Turkmenistan's Concept of Activities and Priorities for the International Year of Peace and Trust, presented during the event. They also expressed their readiness for close cooperation to strengthen intergovernmental and international dialogue built on trust as a key element for maintaining peace.

This event demonstrates Turkmenistan’s commitment to multifaceted cooperation with the international community in achieving global goals—peace, security, stability, and sustainable development.

Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan