On November 30, 2017, in the office of the Permanent Mission of Turkmenistan to the UN, a briefing dedicated to the International Day of Neutrality and the 10th anniversary of the UN Regional Center for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia was organized. The briefing was attended by the UN Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs Miroslav Jenca, UN Resident Coordinator in Turkmenistan Elena Panova, Ambassadors, Permanent Representatives and missions staff to the UN.
The main statements was made by the Permanent Representative of Turkmenistan to the UN, Permanent Representatives of Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan and the UN Resident Coordinator in Turkmenistan.
Speakers underlined that one of the indisputable factors of the development of Turkmenistan is the growth and strengthening of its foreign policy based on the peace-loving course of the leader of the nation Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov. Turkmenistan initiated the United Nations General Assembly resolution entitled "International Neutrality Day" adopted on February 2, 2017 and the resolution "The role of the UN Regional Center for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia" adopted in November 2017, which received unanimous support from the UN Member States.
Assistant to the UN Secretary General for Political Affairs Miroslav Jenca in his speech noted that the neutrality of Turkmenistan, which is the fundamental basis of the country's foreign policy, organically combines the unshakable principles of international law and diplomacy, as well as the constructive experience of peacekeeping dialogue and the implementation of preventive measures based on promotion and implementation of large-scale initiatives aimed at strengthening international partnership. Following these principles, Turkmenistan in practice proves that neutrality, peacefulness, good-neighborliness have been and remain the core of its foreign policy.
The role of Turkmenistan in the implementation of large-scale projects in the field of sustainable energy and transport, environmental protection, ecology, health and sports was particularly emphasized. Neutrality and preventive diplomacy on the example of Turkmenistan's activities today demonstrate the indissoluble unity of the fundamental foundations in the solution of urgent tasks to preserve and strengthen universal peace, stability and security.
This year marks the 10th anniversary of the opening of the headquarters of the UN Regional Center for Preventive Diplomacy in Central Asia in Ashgabat. The Regional Center for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia is a unique structure in the UN peacekeeping activities.
Speakers at the briefing noted that the Regional Center for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia support the countries of the region in building the capacity for the peaceful resolution of disputes and the prevention of conflicts through dialogue and international support for combating cross-border organized crime, including terrorism, religious extremism and illicit drug trafficking.
