The past month has brought new bright touches to the active socio-political life of the country, filling it with events that are particularly significant for both strengthening fruitful international cooperation and increasing its authority in the world. The business meetings and negotiations, forums, political consultations, conferences and exhibitions held during this period have become the most important reference point for expanding partnership in the name of universal peace, prosperity and progress.
The activities carried out by ministries and departments in line with the open door policy initiated by President Serdar Berdimuhamedov directly promoted the disclosure of the peacemaking, creative potential of independent neutral Turkmenistan.
During the participation of the Turkmen delegation in the regular session of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, held from June 30 to July 4 in Vancouver (Canada), the commitment of the Turkmen state to peaceful diplomacy, economic cooperation, cultural dialogue, environmental sustainability and the fight against terrorism was emphasized. At the end of the session, the Vancouver Declaration was adopted.
On July 1, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan held talks with the Deputy Director General of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) Ciyong Zou. The sides exchanged views on further partnership, implementation of joint projects in industry, energy, ecology, digitalization, etc.
As part of the grand opening of the first stage of the development of the smart city of Arkadag, a series of solemn events took place.
Thus, on July 1, an International Scientific Conference “Public Organization of Doctors of Turkmenistan” was held in a multidisciplinary hospital of a unique city.
Achievements and topical issues of horse breeding development, prospects for strengthening fruitful cooperation in this area were put on the agenda of the International Conference “Arkadag City – the Land of Akhalteke horses”, held on July 1 in the administrative building of the Agricultural complex of the new city.
On the same day, it was held an international football-coaching seminar.
On July 2, the conference hall of the Dovletmammed Azadi City Library hosted the International Conference “Arkadag City – the City of Smart and Green Technologies”, and on July 3, in a hybrid format, the International Conference “Arkadag City – an Ecologically Safe Land of Beautiful Nature".
On July 4, an International Scientific Conference “Arkadag City – a Majestic Example of Construction and Industry” was held in the administrative building of the construction complex, which completed a series of international events dedicated to the opening of the first smart city in Turkmenistan.
At a meeting held on July 5 at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Commonwealth Affairs and Development of the United Kingdom, Minister Leo Docherty, topical issues of cooperation covering a wide range of areas, including political and diplomatic, trade and economic, cultural and humanitarian issues, were discussed. As a result, a Protocol of Intent was signed between the foreign ministries of the two countries.
The second meeting of the Steering Committee of the Central Asia Drug Action Programme (CADAP) – Phase 7, held on July 5 in the capital at the Yyldyz Hotel, was attended by representatives of state institutions-beneficiaries of Central Asian countries, delegations of the European Union in Central Asian countries, a number of European institutions and EU programmes.
On July 6, as part of the meeting of the CADAP-7 Steering Committee, an additional meeting was held on the topic “Turkmenistan's experience in combating smoking and alcohol consumption”, the purpose of which was to exchange experience in creating new opportunities for protecting and improving public health.
The delegation of Turkmenistan took part in the work of the OSCE High-level Conference on Climate Change, held on July 7 in Vienna (Republic of Austria). On the agenda are issues of mitigation of the potential consequences of climate change, stabilization of greenhouse gas emissions using energy-efficient and resource-saving technologies, etc.
On July 8, the 42nd General Assembly of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) was held in Bangkok (Thailand), dedicated to the activities of this organization. The delegation of Turkmenistan took part in the meeting.
During the meeting held on July 10 at the Foreign Ministry of our country with the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Ms. Teresa Ribeiro, the directions of joint work were discussed, including prospects for the development of cooperation with the OSCE Center.
On the same day, the presentation of a new book by the National Leader of the Turkmen People, Chairman of the Halk Maslakhaty Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov “Ömrümiń manysynyń dowamaty” took place at the Mukams Palace of the State Cultural Center. The literary and philosophical work summarizes information about the achievements of independent neutral Turkmenistan, contains information about the spiritual and moral values of our people, handed down from generation to generation, as well as the wise thoughts and reflections of the author.
In a telephone talk held on July 10 between the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslakhaty of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, the traditionally friendly, neighborly, mutually respectful nature of interstate relations based on the principles of strategic partnership was stated.
On July 11, the Foreign Ministry held a meeting with a delegation headed by the Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan Yoshikawa Yuumi. They discussed priority directions of the Turkmen-Japanese dialogue in the political, diplomatic, trade, economic, cultural and humanitarian spheres, as well as within the framework of authoritative structures, foremost, the UN.
The second meeting of the Interdepartmental Working Group on the Development of Hydrogen Energy in Turkmenistan, held on the same day, considered a set of priority tasks, in particular, the implementation of international initiatives in hydrogen energy, the study of foreign experience in the development of this area, strengthening the scientific base and training the qualified specialized specialists.
During the meeting held on July 13 at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United Arab Emirates to Turkmenistan Ahmed Al Hameli, the current agenda of bilateral cooperation in a wide range of areas was discussed.
At the talks of the foreign ministers of Turkmenistan and the Republic of Tajikistan held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on July 15, the importance of further development of interstate relations in the political, diplomatic, trade, economic, cultural and humanitarian fields was emphasized.
On July 17, the Turkmen delegation took part in the High-level Forum on Sustainable Development “Accelerating Recovery after COVID-19 and the full implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development at all levels”, held in New York City. The speakers noted the high degree of integration of global development goals into medium- and long-term socio-economic programs and strategies of Turkmenistan.
On the same day, at the UN headquarters, within the framework of the High-level Forum on Sustainable Development, the Permanent Mission of Turkmenistan to the UN organized an event on the theme “Sustainable urban transport: preparation for the High-level Meeting of the UN General Assembly on Sustainable Transport and the Arkadag City model for the implementation of SDG 11”.
As it was underlined, the smart city project has become an indicator of the serious efforts of the Government of Turkmenistan in modern urban planning, the introduction of advanced methods and technologies in public transport, healthcare and digital medicine, achieving environmental sustainability and reducing environmental impact.
During the visit of the delegation of Turkmenistan to the Republic of Korea on July 17-21, there were held meetings with the Prime Minister of Korea Han Doksu, Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Lee Chang Yang, Chairman of the Korean International Trade Association (KITA) Christopher Koo and representatives of leading companies and business circles to distinguish the fruitful nature of Turkmen-Korean cooperation in in the political, trade, economic, cultural and humanitarian spheres, as well as in inter-parliamentary cooperation.
During negotiations with the Chairman of the Intergovernmental Council of Road Workers (ICR) of the CIS Buri Karimov, held on July 19 at the Foreign Ministry, discussed the prospects for the development of international transport corridors in the region, the introduction of high-tech innovations in construction in Turkmenistan. They also highlighted the importance of comprehensive national programs aimed at modernizing the material and technical base of the industry, expanding existing and forming new transport and communication networks, and creating large logistics centers in our country that ensure regional coordination of multimodal transportation.
During the talks held on July 20 between the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslakhaty Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, as well as Chairman of the Mejlis of Turkmenistan D.Gulmanova and Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea Kim Jin-pyo, it was noted the constructive nature of bilateral inter-parliamentary ties and prospects for further development of partnership in the political, diplomatic, trade, economic, cultural and humanitarian fields.
On July 22, the regular meeting of the National Commission of Turkmenistan for the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) informed on the results of the Commission's work for the first half of the year, on preparations for the international conference dedicated to the 30th anniversary of Turkmenistan's accession to UNESCO in 2024 in Ashgabat, as well as on strengthening the position of our country in large divisions of this structure, and about the expansion of scientific cooperation, contacts in digital projects, information exchange, etc.
At the meeting of the Interdepartmental Commission on Ensuring the fulfillment of Turkmenistan's international obligations in the field of human rights and international humanitarian law held on July 24 at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the results of the Commission's six-month activity were discussed, and tasks for the near future were outlined.
On the same day, a telephone talk took place between the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslakhaty of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, during which they discussed the key vectors of productive interstate cooperation.
The positive dynamics of the growth of bilateral trade and economic cooperation, partnership in the field of green technologies, industrial cooperation, energy, agriculture and water management, as well as in education was noted at a meeting held on July 25 at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan with Director General of the Eastern Committee of the German Economy Michael Harms.
The regular meeting of the Interdepartmental Commission of Turkmenistan on the Caspian Sea, held on July 29 at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, reviewed the results of the Commission's work for 6 months of this year, and determined tasks for the near future.
During the talks held on July 31 with representatives of the delegation of the People's Republic of China headed by Chen Gang, a member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, Secretary of the CPC Committee of Qinghai Province, issues of developing bilateral relations in a wide range of areas of mutual interest were discussed.
At meetings with the Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassadors to Turkmenistan of the Republic of Tunisia and the Federal Republic of Brazil, held last month at the country's Foreign Ministry, an exchange of views took place on the development of partnership in the interstate format and through major international structures.
Thus, the saturation of the past month with significant events of national, regional and global scale testifies to the steady growth of the authority of the sovereign Homeland on the world stage, the success of the foreign policy of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, being always committed to the development of constructive and mutually trusting relations with all interested partners.