Address by Ambassador H.E. Atadjan Movlamov at Round Table Conference on the 30th Anniversary of Turkmenistan’s Neutrality in the Year of Peace and Trust 2025, Islamabad

Islamabad, The Gulf Observer: The Gulf Observer and The Gulf Observer Research Forum and the Embassy of the Republic of Turkmenistan in Pakistan, organized a Round Table Conference at the National Language Promotion Department (NLPD), Islamabad, on 28th October, 2025 to commemorate the 30th Anniversary of Turkmenistan’s Permanent Neutrality — a cornerstone of Turkmenistan’s foreign policy and a beacon of peace, dialogue, and cooperation in the modern world. Ambassador H.E. Atadjan Movlamov delivered an address at the Round Table Conference held in Islamabad to commemorate the 30th Anniversary of Turkmenistan’s Neutrality in the Year of Peace and Trust 2025.

Address by Ambassador H.E. Atadjan Movlamov

Distinguished participants, dear friends,
ladies and gentlemen,
assalam-o alaikum and good afternoon!

At the beginning, I would like to thank “Gulf Observer” and “The Gulf Observer Research Forum” and particularly Mr. M. Ali Pasha and his team for organizing this event. I also thank all of you for joining us at this round table conference. My sincere appreciations also go to all the speakers for their thoughtful and inspiring remarks.

In modern diplomatic history, Turkmenistan’s neutrality represents a unique and universally acknowledged model.

Thirty years ago, during the 3rd Summit of the Economic Cooperation Organization, here in Islamabad (on 14–15 March 1995), Turkmenistan declared its commitment to the principles of neutrality. The same year, on 12 December 1995, the UN General Assembly adopted Resolution 50/80 A “Permanent Neutrality of Turkmenistan.” Since that date, we have been celebrating 12 December as Neutrality Day of Turkmenistan. We are proud that later, in 2017, the UNGA (Resolution 71/275 (2017)) proclaimed 12 December as the International Day of Neutrality.

The status of the neutral state of Turkmenistan was reaffirmed by UNGA Resolution 69/285 (2015) and by Resolution 79/274 (2025). We consider these resolutions as recognition of the importance of the neutrality policy of Turkmenistan.

In 2007, the UN Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia was opened in the Turkmen capital, Ashgabat.

In 2020, the Group of Friends of Neutrality for Peace, Security and Sustainable Development was established in New York. Today, 27 countries are members of the Group of Friends of Neutrality.

All these events symbolize the trust and respect that the international community places in our country’s peace-loving and constructive foreign policy.

Turkmenistan’s policy of neutrality plays a vital role in ensuring peace both in the region and around the world.

Our policy of neutrality has proven its relevance in addressing the challenges of the modern world.

Based on its foreign policy of permanent neutrality, Turkmenistan has initiated numerous United Nations resolutions focusing on international issues such as sustainable transport, reliable energy transit, and peace and security.

The declaration by the UNGA of the year 2025 as the International Year of Peace and Trust was also initiated by Turkmenistan.

In the International Year of Peace and Trust, Turkmenistan is organizing a wide range of events.

Among the key activities are the official opening ceremonies of the International Year of Peace and Trust, held both in Ashgabat, the capital of Turkmenistan, and at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.

Throughout the year, Turkmenistan has hosted numerous events dedicated to this occasion — not only within the country but also in various parts of the world.

All these initiatives underscore the vital importance of peace and trust in today’s world and demonstrate Turkmenistan’s unwavering commitment to strengthening these universal values.

A vivid example of Turkmenistan’s growing international role was the Third United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries, held in Awaza in August 2025. The adoption of the Awaza Programme of Action reaffirmed Turkmenistan’s status as a neutral state and an initiator of global connectivity and cooperation.

In celebration of the 30th anniversary of its neutrality and in alignment with the UN General Assembly’s declaration of 2025 as the International Year of Peace and Trust, Turkmenistan will host an important international forum on “Peace and Trust” on 12 December 2025.

We regard this forum as a global platform to promote dialogue, strengthen mutual understanding, and bring international relations to a new qualitative level. Turkmenistan invites all states and international organizations to join efforts in advancing the political, conceptual, and practical dimensions of peace and trust.

Our neutrality policy also has a humanitarian and economic dimension. It supports the peaceful settlement of disputes, strengthens regional dialogue, and promotes trade, transport, and energy cooperation. Through major infrastructure projects, Turkmenistan seeks to connect nations and foster shared prosperity.

Dear friends,

A special place in Turkmenistan’s foreign policy belongs to our partnership with the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.

Our two brotherly nations are bound by deep historical and cultural ties, and by shared aspirations for peace and development. Joint projects such as the TAPI gas pipeline, TAP power transmission line, fibre-optic communication link, road and railways connections between Central and South Asia serve not only as vital economic initiatives but also as pipelines of peace — promoting interdependence, trust, and mutual growth.

For Pakistan, these projects mean reliable access to energy and new opportunities for industrial and social development.

For Turkmenistan, they represent the practical implementation of neutrality — contributing to regional peace through constructive cooperation.

Turkmenistan firmly believes that neutrality and peace are inseparable.

Only through dialogue, mutual respect, and trust can we build a stable and prosperous world.

The 30th anniversary of Turkmenistan’s neutrality and the Year of Peace and Trust 2025 reaffirm our shared commitment to these universal principles.

In conclusion, I would like to say that Turkmenistan will continue to uphold its permanent neutrality, to strengthen peace and security, and to expand friendship and cooperation with all nations — including our brotherly partner, the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.

Turkmenistan–Pakistan dusti zindabad!

Thank you for your kind attention.