Independent neutral Turkmenistan, steadily increasing fruitful political, diplomatic, trade, economic, cultural and humanitarian ties with all interested countries of the world, under the leadership of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov continues to successfully implement the strategy of broad international cooperation. Diverse events of the past month - meetings, consultations, business negotiations, forums, seminars, exhibitions held in various formats by ministries and departments with foreign partners and authoritative organizations - serve as a clear example of this.

An important aspect of the foreign policy of our Motherland is the strengthening of interaction with neighboring states, relations with which are built on centuries-old traditions of unbreakable friendship, trust and good neighborliness.

Thus, the mutual desire of the states for further dialogue, implementation of joint projects and programs in all directions was confirmed during the working visit on April 9^th to Turkmenistan of the Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation, co-chairman from the Russian side of the Intergovernmental Turkmen-Russian Commission on Economic Cooperation Alexei Overchuk, head of the government delegations from their country.

During the meetings, the importance of intensifying interstate ties in the political, diplomatic, trade, economic, energy, cultural and humanitarian spheres and in other areas was noted. The agenda also included the possibility of building up an effective partnership between business circles and entrepreneurs of the two countries.

On April 11^th, on the occasion of the 30^th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Turkmenistan and the Russian Federation, a round table was held online by the Institute of International Relations and the Moscow State Institute of International Relations.

On April 12^th, a hybrid seminar “The Constitution of Turkmenistan is a guarantor of human rights and freedoms” was held, organized by the Representative Office of the United Nations Development Program in our country and the Institute of State, Law and Democracy within the framework of the Project “Providing assistance in the implementation of the National Action Plan of Turkmenistan in the field of human rights in 2021-2025”.

A wide range of issues related to the constitutional guarantees of human rights and the mechanisms for their implementation in Turkmenistan, implemented by UNDP projects to fulfill the international obligations of our country in this area were considered.

The regular workshop of women from the countries of Central Asia, held on the same day, organized as part of the chairmanship of Turkmenistan in 2022 in the Dialogue of Women in Central Asia, was attended by the Chairman of the Mejlis Milli Gengesh, representatives of the Dialogue from the states of Central Asia and the relevant departments of the United Nations.

Discussing the annual work plan and the Regulations of this structure, the meeting participants spoke in favor of holding various events that would contribute to the development of effective ways for the most complete realization of the creative and peacemaking potential of women in the states of Central Asia and Russia, as well as its application to strengthen global peace, stability and progress , including the expansion of their rights and opportunities in Central Asia, as well as for cooperation in this direction with the UN, its structural divisions and other specialized international organizations.

During an online meeting held on April 14^th with the regional coordinator of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) for Central Asia, the head of the IOM offices in Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, Zeynal Hajiyev discussed the priorities for the implementation of the “Plan of projects planned for implementation by the Government of Turkmenistan jointly with the Representative Office of the International Organization for Migration in Turkmenistan in 2022”.

As emphasized, our country, taking an active part in various regional IOM projects, prepared a Voluntary National Review on the Global Compact for Migration, sent to the International Organization for Migration and the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP).

At the regular meeting of the Interdepartmental Commission for Ensuring the Implementation of Turkmenistan's International Commitments in the Field of Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law, held on April 16 at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, detailed information was provided on the work done over the previous year and the priority areas of activity of this structure for the coming period.

On April 19^th, the State Museum of the State Cultural Center of Turkmenistan hosted an international scientific meeting “Historical and cultural monuments of Turkmenistan in the center of attention of the world community”, organized by the Ministry of Culture of the country. The purpose of the event was to expand international cooperation and exchange of experience in the field of study, protection and restoration of historical and cultural monuments.

On April 21^st, the first meeting of the Turkmen-Italian working group on cultural cooperation was held via videoconferencing. The issues of mutually beneficial partnership in such areas as archives, digitalization of materials, organization of exhibitions, archaeological research, monitoring of lands and objects of historical and cultural significance by remote sensing and space photography were considered.

As part of the discussion of issues of cooperation in the field of archaeological research and within the framework of UNESCO programs for the preservation of historical and cultural heritage sites, as well as the exchange of experience in the field of restoration, conservation and archiving, the parties put forward proposals for organizing online seminars, trainings on the restoration of archaeological finds and manuscripts, master classes on vocal art and folk instruments of Italy and Turkmenistan, exhibitions of artifacts from the Bronze Age of Margiana and Ancient Parthia in one of the museums in Italy.

At the fifth meeting of the Foreign Ministers held on April 22^nd via the digital system in the “Central Asia + Russia” format, the possibilities of further building up multilateral cooperation in the political, trade, economic, cultural and humanitarian spheres were considered.

The subject of discussion also included the coronavirus pandemic. In this regard, the attention of the participants was focused on the proposal of Turkmenistan to establish a regional center for virology and bacteriology, which will help to take a step forward in consolidating joint decisions on this issue.

On the same day, a meeting was held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan Hiroyuki Yamamoto. The diplomats noted with satisfaction the positive experience of interaction on the platforms of authoritative regional and international structures, as well as the fruitfulness of the multilateral partnership within the framework of the “CA + Japan” Dialogue.

At the regular meeting of the National Commission of Turkmenistan on the activities of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), held on April 23^rd, the results of its work for the first quarter of this year were summed up, the draft Regulations on the Secretariat of this structure, as well as a plan for the forthcoming period were discussed.

In addition, issues related to the creation of UNESCO Chairs in higher educational institutions of the country, with the inclusion of Ashgabat in the UNESCO Global Network of Creative Cities in the Design category, were considered.

Along with this, the preparation of preliminary nomination national and multilateral dossiers was discussed in order to expand the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List and the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, in particular, “Koytendag mountain ecosystem”, “Turan deserts of the temperate zone” with the participation of Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan within the framework of the UNESCO Program “Man and the Biosphere”, “Akhal-Teke horse breeding art and traditions of decorating horses”.

Representatives of reputable organizations working in Turkmenistan, teachers and university students, as well as media representatives.

The assignment of this Certificate to the Turkmen capital is evidence of the world recognition of the achievements of the neutral Motherland in the field of ecology and environmental protection. It was noted in the speeches that for many years Turkmenistan and the UN have been successfully implementing programs and projects aimed at ensuring a high level of environmental safety, respect for nature, preserving and increasing its wealth, and introducing the principles and technologies of the "green" economy.

To this end, within the framework of the National Forest Program, large-scale planting campaigns are carried out annually in all regions of the country, which contributes to the formation of special climatic zones for the preservation and enrichment of local flora and fauna, protection of settlements from summer heat, dust and strong winds, and prevention of land degradation.

On April 25-26, the OSCE Center in Ashgabat organized an online seminar on the transfer of electricity generated by solar, wind and combined stations to the central power grid.

As noted, the energy policy of Turkmenistan is aimed at promoting the transit of energy carriers, energy security, energy conservation and energy efficiency through the sustainable use of natural gas and oil products, expanding the use of alternative energy sources, and sharing knowledge.

Within the framework of the seminar, international experts presented a methodology for developing a scheme for connecting installations based on renewable energy sources to the electric grid, and also highlighted in detail the challenges and solutions for integrating variable renewable energy sources into the electric grid.

At the meeting held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on April 26^th in the form of a videoconference, a number of issues of cooperation between Turkmenistan and the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific in various areas, including the field of transport and energy, were discussed for discussion.

During the meeting on April 27^th at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with the head of the demographic statistics department of the UN Statistics Office, Srdjan Mrkic, the prospects for partnership of Turkmenistan with the UN Statistical Office and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) were considered.

Among the issues discussed are preparations for conducting a complete census of the population and housing stock of our country this year, the collection and analysis of statistical data. Issues of gender equality and empowerment of women, well-being and development of youth were also discussed.

At the meeting held on April 28^th at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with the newly appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the State of Israel to Turkmenistan, Ms. Beth-Eden Kite, an exchange of views took place on the possibilities of further building up and strengthening political, diplomatic, trade, economic and humanitarian bilateral ties. Particular emphasis was placed on the positive experience of multilateral relations within the framework of authoritative regional and international organizations.

The main topic of the online seminar, organized by the OSCE Center in Ashgabat on April 28-29, was the introduction of advanced technologies and innovative solutions for the development of hydrogen energy and the implementation of energy efficient approaches.

During the training, foreign experts presented a comprehensive overview of technologies and innovations related to the use of hydrogen as a renewable energy source in global energy consumption, which creates environmental and social benefits, increases economic competitiveness, and has the potential to sustainably meet growing global energy needs.

On April 29^th, within the framework of the visit of the Turkmen delegation to Abu Dhabi (UAE), held on behalf of the President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov, a meeting was held with the Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of the United Arab Emirates, Minister for Presidential Affairs Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

Emphasizing the high level of the established productive dialogue between Turkmenistan and the UAE in all areas of mutual interest, the parties confirmed their readiness to continue effective trade and economic partnership, in particular, in the investment and financial and banking sectors.

On the same day, a meeting was held with the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the UAE, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, at which a number of key issues in the political, trade, economic, cultural and humanitarian fields were discussed, as well as the implementation of previously signed agreements, the activities of the Joint Committee on Cooperation between Turkmenistan and the UAE.

Thus, the events of the past month clearly testify to the work consistently carried out by the ministries and departments of the country to implement the global initiative of Turkmenistan - the formation of a new philosophy of modern international relations – “Dialogue is a guarantee of peace”, aimed at uniting the efforts of the international community in strengthening the traditions of peaceful and trusting coexistence of peoples, comprehensive establishment of a culture of peace and trust in interstate interaction.