On March 23, 2018, in Geneva, Switzerland, the UN Human Rights Council (HRC), at its 37th session, unanimously adopted the Resolution "Promoting human rights through sport and the Olympie ideal", which reflects the initiative of the President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov on encouraging valuable contribution of Olympic refugee teams in strengthening peace and human rights.
In particular, the document notes that the participation of refugee teams in large-scale sports games, including the 5th Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games were held in Ashgabat in September 2017, might inspire a new understanding of the rights of millions of people caught up in crises around the world.
The adoption of this UN Resolution further demonstrates the recognition of the world community in the policy pursued by the Government of Turkmenistan in the field of human rights protection, where Turkmenistan attaches particular importance to development of physical culture and sports.
In particular, the initiative of the President of Turkmenistan to adopt during 36th UN HRC session in Geneva in September 2017, a Joint statement on encouraging valuable contribution of Olympic refugee teams in strengthening peace and human rights, with subsequent practical implementation at the 5th Asian Games in Ashkhabad, where the Olympic refugee team took part, found universal support from the UN countries and was highlighted in the above-mentioned Resolution.
Co-sponsorship of Turkmenistan on this document, as well as the active position of the Turkmen side in its development, were highly appreciated by the UN members.
