General information on the Group of friends of Neutrality for Peace, Security and Sustainable Development

In order to facilitate regular dialog internationally, in particular within the United Nations, on practical use of peacekeeping potential of states building their policies on the principles of neutrality, Turkmenistan initiated the establishment of the Group of Friends of Neutrality for Peace, Security and Sustainable Development.

Using the positive experience of currently functioning multilateral Groups on various issues of international agenda, abovementioned Group of Friends acts as an informal association to strengthen political dialogue within the United Nations and to develop previously unexplored tools for strengthening peace and security.

Today more than 20 countries joined this Group, in particular the co-sponsors of the United Nations General Assembly resolutions “Permanent Neutrality of Turkmenistan” of 1995 and 2015, “International Day of Neutrality” of February 2, 2017, “The Role and Importance of a Policy of Neutrality in Maintaining and Strengthening International Peace, Security and Sustainable Development” of December 7, 2020.

Note: States could join the Group through diplomatic notes and letters with indication of intent to be a member of the Group.

 

Group of Friends of Neutrality for Peace, Security and Sustainable Development serves as a platform to start under the auspices of the United Nations a wide multilateral dialogue on the practical application of the principles of neutrality in preventing conflicts, eliminating their causes and consequences, and resolving humanitarian issues.

Regular meetings of the Group of Friends in the future will lead to the establishment of a stable political and diplomatic platform for promoting the principles of neutrality in international relations.

Preliminary proposed format of the Group

• The Group of Friends has an open-ended nature, and, accordingly, its composition shall be regularly updated, as Member States, Observers and UN entities indicate their willingness and interest in joining it, subject to the approval of its membership;
• The Group of Friends shall meet regularly, at the PR-level, at least every six (06) months. Extraordinary meetings can be convened to address/discuss specific questions, at the request of its members;
• The Group of Friends shall convene once a year at the Foreign Minister-level, situation permitting, in New York, on the sidelines of the High-Level Week of the General Assembly of the United Nations;
• The Group of Friends will be coordinated by one (01) of its members for a term of one (01) year and, upon completion of that term, the principle of geographical rotation will be observed for the transfer of the coordination.