Numerous business meetings, negotiations, political consultations, international fora, exhibitions, cultural events and other events in the life of the country, organized by ministries and departments both in our country and abroad, held last month, have become another clear evidence of the peacekeeping strategy of independent neutral Turkmenistan aimed at expanding and deepening cooperation for the sake of common well-being and sustainable development.

All these events, carried out in line with the “open door” policy, directly contributed to the disclosure of the creative potential of the Motherland, the intensive development of friendly relations with interested partners, both with individual states and with major international and authoritative regional organizations.

Thus, on March 1-2, during the next round of annual political consultations between Turkmenistan and the United States of America via videoconferencing, which was attended by Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Donald Lu, heads and representatives of relevant ministries and departments of both countries, emphasis was placed on strengthening stability and security in the world and in the region, countering global threats - terrorism, extremism, drug trafficking.

Particular attention was paid to the issues of building up effective bilateral cooperation in trade, economic, cultural, humanitarian and environmental areas.

It was noted that there are prospects in the implementation of large national and international infrastructure projects in the energy and transport sectors, attracting American investment and technology in the development of science-intensive and innovative industries in Turkmenistan.

On March 3, on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of our country's accession to the UN, a solemn meeting entitled “Turkmenistan and the United Nations: dialogue as a guarantee of peace and development” was held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Its participants included the heads of diplomatic missions and representative offices of foreign organizations working in Ashgabat, employees of the domestic diplomatic service, and the media. As emphasized, this event marked the beginning of significant initiatives to strengthen a constructive international partnership in the name of peace, security and prosperity.

As part of the events dedicated to this significant date, the Congress Center hosted the signing ceremony of bilateral documents, in particular, the Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of Turkmenistan and the UN Office in Turkmenistan on cooperation in the implementation of the National Program for the Social and Economic Development of Turkmenistan in 2022-2052, Joint Action Plan for 2022 under the Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in the field of coordination of emergency preparedness and response between the Government of Turkmenistan and the UN Office in Turkmenistan, Amendments to the Project Document “High Natural Value Resources and Ecosystems in the Aral Sea Basin for Multiple Benefits”, Turkmenistan HCFC Phase-out Management Plan (HPMP) Stage II Project “Institutional Strengthening for the Implementation of the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer (Phase V) in Turkmenistan”.

On March 13, a briefing was held at the Garagum hotel in the capital with the participation of correspondents from major foreign and domestic news agencies, electronic, print and other media, international observers, where the preliminary results of voting in the presidential elections in Turkmenistan were announced.

As emphasized, 97.17 percent of voters took part in this important socio-political action, which testifies to the high civil activity of the population, its conscious desire to become a direct participant in the further process of democratic transformations in Turkmenistan.

On the same day, briefings of international observers representing such authoritative structures as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), the Organization of Turkic States (OTG), the Mission of Observers from the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), were attended by representatives of national and foreign media, as well as members of the CEC of Turkmenistan.

As part of the events, the results of monitoring the preparation and conduct of the presidential elections were announced. Particular emphasis was placed on the fact that the election campaign has become an important step towards the further development of democratic processes in our country.

From March 14 to March 18, the delegation of Turkmenistan took part in the 65th session of the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs, which was held in a hybrid format.

As noted, our country, actively promoting international and regional cooperation in this area, intends to hold the 55th session of the Subcommission on Illicit Drug Trafficking and Related Issues in the Middle East in November this year.

Heads of diplomatic representations and missions accredited in our country, rectors, faculty and students of universities.

The speeches emphasized that these works reflect reflections on foreign policy, economy, culture, science and other areas, centuries-old traditions of the Turkmen people, its historical and cultural values.

Another significant event of the past month is the unanimous adoption on March 15 at the plenary session of the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly, at the initiative of our country, of the Resolution “Integration of mass cycling into public transport systems to achieve sustainable development”, co-sponsored by 62 states.

This was another confirmation of the careful attitude of Turkmenistan to the issues of strengthening the health of the people, the formation of physically strong and spiritually rich youth through the development of physical culture and sports at the world level, the establishment of the principles of a healthy lifestyle in society.

At the meeting, Turkmenistan was elected a member of the UN Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) for the period 2022-2028, which increased the authority of our country on the world stage.

On March 17, the Embassy of Turkmenistan in France, together with the embassies and missions to UNESCO of Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, India, Iran, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkey and Uzbekistan, under the patronage of the Director-General of UNESCO, Ms. Audrey Azoulay, organized a joint cultural event, timed to coincide with the celebration of the International Day of Novruz, which included a concert, tasting of national dishes and an exhibition.

On March 22-23, the delegation of Turkmenistan took part in the session of the Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), held in Islamabad (Pakistan).

At the annual meeting of the heads of foreign affairs agencies of Muslim countries, held under the motto “Building partnership for the sake of unity, justice and development”, the Turkmen side informed about the results of the elections of the head of state, expressing gratitude to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation for the support and active participation of observers from the OIC in the process monitoring of the electoral process.

During the session, at the suggestion of Turkmenistan, the Resolution “The role of the policy of neutrality in maintaining and strengthening international peace, security and sustainable development in the OIC region and throughout the world” was adopted, which supports the proposal to promote the global initiative of our country - the formation of a new philosophy of modern relations – “Dialogue is a Guarantee of Peace”, aimed at uniting the efforts of the Community of Nations in strengthening the traditions of peaceful and trusting coexistence of peoples, the comprehensive establishment of a culture of peace and trust in international relations.

On March 24, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, together with the British Embassy and the Office of the UN Resident Coordinator in Turkmenistan, organized an online conference on the results and achievements of the UN Climate Change Conference 2021 COP-26, with the participation of representatives of ministries and departments of our country, diplomatic missions and authoritative organizations accredited in Ashgabat.

As noted at the forum, in the field of environmental protection and rational use of natural resources, our state has adopted a number of important laws, programs and strategies.

On March 25, at the digital meeting of the Government Commission for the study of issues related to the accession of Turkmenistan to the WTO, the heads and representatives of the relevant state institutions of the country, the WTO Secretariat, UNECE, the UN Resident Coordinator in Turkmenistan, the Permanent Representative of Turkmenistan to the WTO took part and independent experts.

As part of the online consultative meeting on the process of Turkmenistan's accession to the WTO and trade facilitation jointly with the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (ECE), the active dynamics of Turkmenistan's partnership with the WTO was noted.

On March 28-29, the Turkmen delegation took part in the solemn meeting of the Council of the Inter-Parliamentary Assembly of the Member States of the Commonwealth of Independent States, held in Almaty (Republic of Kazakhstan), dedicated to the 30th anniversary of the IPA CIS.

The main theme of the speeches was the activities of the Assembly over the past years.

On March 28, a briefing was held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the adoption by the UN General Assembly of the Resolution “Integration of mass cycling into public transport systems to achieve sustainable development” and the election of Turkmenistan as a member of the UN Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) for the period 2022-2028. The event was attended by heads and employees of the Foreign Ministry, heads of diplomatic missions and representative offices of international organizations accredited in our country, as well as representatives of local media.

At an online meeting held on the same day between the leaders and representatives of the Türkmendemirýollary Agency, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport of the Republic of Korea and the Korean National Railway Corporation KORAIL, special attention was paid to the initiatives of Turkmenistan in the field of transport, aimed at connecting the main transport routes.

As noted, the construction and development of the railway corridors Kazakhstan-Turkmenistan-Iran, Serhetabat-Turgundi, Kerki-Imamnazar-Akina, Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Tajikistan, as well as high-speed roads, airports and seaports contribute to the successful strengthening of mutually beneficial relations between our country and the states of the region.

During the seminar, organized by the OSCE Center in Ashgabat on March 28-29 in a hybrid format, a strategy was presented to strengthen regional economic integration and transport potential, radically reduce geographical distances through the rational use of all modes of transport.

On March 29-30, the International Forum on Attracting Foreign Investments in the Oil and Gas Industry of Turkmenistan was held online and in traditional format, organized by the State Concerns “Türkmengaz”, “Türkmennebit” and “Türkmenhimiýa”, the State Corporation “Türkmengeologiýa” in partnership with the ES “Turkmen Forum” with the support of the British company “Gaffney Cline”.

Its goal is to strengthen the dialogue on the sustainable development of the energy sector and expand the opportunities for attracting foreign direct investment in the domestic fuel and energy complex.

As part of this event, bilateral meetings were held between representatives of the domestic fuel and energy complex and their foreign partners, during which specific vectors for further interaction were discussed and identified.

On March 30-31, the delegation of Turkmenistan took part in the Third Meeting of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of countries neighboring Afghanistan, held in the city of Tunxi of the People's Republic of China.

This meeting was considered by our country as an opportunity to develop a consolidated approach to ensuring peace and security in Afghanistan, the comprehensive development of this state. As noted, the implementation of international infrastructure projects with the participation of Afghanistan is of particular importance: construction of the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India gas pipeline, laying of power transmission lines and fiber-optic communication from Turkmenistan to Afghanistan and Pakistan, construction of new railways from Turkmenistan to Afghanistan.

On March 30, within the framework of participation in the Third Ministerial Conference of the neighboring countries of Afghanistan, bilateral meetings were held between the heads of the foreign ministries of Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Islamic Republic of Iran and People's Republic of China. The subject of discussion included issues of further expansion and strengthening of mutually beneficial relations in all areas of cooperation, in particular, the possibility of increasing trade turnover, partnership in the energy sector and in the field of transport.

Along with this, regional and international topics of mutual interest and, first and foremost, those related to ensuring global peace and security were considered.

During the negotiations via videoconference with Vice Premier of the State Council of the People's Republic of China Han Zheng, the high dynamics of bilateral relations in the political and diplomatic sphere, as well as in such areas as the gas industry, trade, transport and communications, and high technologies were noted. The parties made specific proposals aimed at building up Turkmen-Chinese cooperation.

Thus, the presented review of the events of March this year illustrates new significant successes and achievements of independent neutral Turkmenistan, which, steadily implementing the policy of openness and broad international partnership pursued by President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, is actively expanding and strengthening the bridges of friendship and mutually beneficial relations both with individual states and with authoritative organizations and regional structures.