On December 12, 2020, at the International University for the Humanities and Development of Turkmenistan, within the framework of the International Conference "Policy of Neutrality and its Role in Ensuring International Peace, Security and Sustainable Development", a plenary session was held on the topic "The Humanitarian Aspect of Neutrality - Contribution to Sustainable Development and Implementation of the 2030 Agenda principle “Leave no one behind”.
During the meeting, the statements of Ombudsman of Turkmenistan Y. Gurbannazarova, Secretary General of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC and KP) Jagan Chapagain, Secretary General of TURKSOY Dusen Kaseinov, Secretary General of the International Association of Universities Hilligje van’t Land, Regional Director of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) ) for Europe and Central Asia, Special Coordinator of measures aimed at resolving issues related to the problems of refugees and migrants in Europe Afshan Khan, Regional Representative of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights in Central Asia Richard Komenda, Head of the Regional Representation of the International Committee of the Red Cross ( ICRC) in Central Asia Sangeeta Koenig, Regional Representative of the International Organization for Migration for Central Asia Zeynal Hajiyev, Representative of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in Kazakhstan, Country Director for Kyrgyzstan and Turkmenistan Julia Valeze, Country Representative for Turkmenistan of the World Health Organization Paulina Karvovska, as well as Acting Director of the UNESCO Cluster Office in Tehran Tsvetan Tsvetkovski were heard.
The speakers at the meeting stressed that humanitarian cooperation is one of the most important components of Turkmenistan's foreign policy. Committed to steadfastly implement generally accepted international norms in the humanitarian sphere, the state creates opportunities for the effective implementation of the basic principles of respect for human rights and freedoms.
As Jagan Chapagain noted in his speech, the status of permanent neutrality determines the directions of regional and international cooperation, contributes to the strengthening of peace and security, and develops friendly relations between countries. The important role of Neutral Turkmenistan in the implementation of humanitarian aid and response to natural disasters in the region was also noted. Turkmenistan and IFRC and KP have been closely cooperating and expanding their partnership in the field of humanitarian assistance for many years.
The Secretary General of TURKSOY noted that the Neutrality of Turkmenistan provided broad opportunities for the development of peace and friendship between the peoples of not only the region, but also the whole world.
It is important to note that Turkmenistan, being an active participant of the international community, participated in the development of the Sustainable Development Goals, and became one of the first states to adopt all 17 Sustainable Development Goals, adapting them to national plans and strategies, through consultations with UN agencies on key implementation issues of SDGs, including SDG monitoring and implementation of the main principle of the Global Agenda 2030 “leave no one behind”.
