Strengthening Security Ties: Turkmenistan's Engagement with the UN

In a significant move to bolster international security cooperation, Turkmenistan engaged in high-level discussions with the United Nations in New York. During his visit to the United States, Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov met with Acting Under-Secretary-General Alexander Zuev to explore various security and diplomatic initiatives.

The talks underscored the long-standing strategic alliance between Turkmenistan and the UN. Both parties expressed positive sentiments towards the expanding cooperation across different areas and highlighted the necessity of closely working together to tackle emerging global issues regarding peace, security, and sustainable development.

A significant aspect of the discussions was centered around the recent UN General Assembly resolution titled “The Role and Importance of a Policy of Neutrality in Maintaining and Strengthening International Peace, Security and Sustainable Development,” approved on May 20, 2026. This resolution serves as an acknowledgment of Turkmenistan's enduring policy of neutrality and its vital role in international peace efforts.

Turkmenistan put forth several essential initiatives during the meeting aimed at fostering peace and preventive diplomacy. This included a proposal to set up an Academic Center focused on peace studies, neutrality, and preventive diplomacy at the Institute of International Relations within the Foreign Affairs Ministry. The goal is to promote research, education, and dialogue on peaceful cooperation and conflict prevention.

Additionally, the Turkmen delegation proposed the establishment of a Chamber of Mediation for Peace, offering a practical method for resolving conflicts through dialogue and negotiation. The discussions also touched upon collaborative efforts to create international guidelines for implementing neutrality principles and advancing President Serdar Berdimuhamedov's proposal for a Global Security Strategy rooted in international law.

The meeting also addressed both regional and global security challenges. Turkmenistan reiterated its endorsement of the United Nations Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia, emphasizing the need for enhanced collective responses to evolving security threats. Officials noted that preventive diplomacy is a valuable tool for maintaining stability in the region.

A noteworthy suggestion presented was the establishment of a Programme Office for the UN Office of Counter-Terrorism in Ashgabat. According to Turkmen officials, this office would function as an analytical and expert platform fostering regional cooperation on counter-terrorism strategies, security capacity development, and information sharing. The discussions concluded with a mutual commitment to further deepen cooperation through joint initiatives, professional training, and ongoing diplomatic dialogues.