During his official visit to the United States of America, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan, Rashid Meredov, held a high-level meeting with the Acting Under-Secretary-General of the UN and Head of the UN Office of Counter-Terrorism, Aleksandr Zuyev. During the talks, the parties noted with satisfaction the sustainable and high level of strategic partnership established between Turkmenistan and the United Nations over many years.

The main focus of the meeting was directed towards implementing the provisions of the historic resolution recently adopted by the UN General Assembly and ensuring regional security.

During the negotiations, special emphasis was placed on the historic significance of the new resolution entitled "The role and significance of the policy of neutrality in maintaining and strengthening international peace, security and sustainable development", which was unanimously adopted by the UN General Assembly. The adoption of this international document is a clear proof that Turkmenistan's peace-loving foreign policy course and diplomacy are consistently supported by the world community.

In this regard, within the framework of implementing the provisions of the resolution, four major international initiatives put forward by Turkmenistan were discussed in detail:

  • Establishment of an academic center: Founding a new center for studying the issues of peace, neutrality, and preventive diplomacy on the basis of the Chair of Peace and Neutrality established at the Institute of International Relations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan;
  • Mediation Chamber for Peace: Establishing a special mediation body within the territory of Turkmenistan as an effective mechanism for resolving international disputes through peaceful and diplomatic means;
  • Preparation of a UN manual: Publishing a special practical manual jointly with the United Nations on more precise compliance and implementation of the principles of neutrality at the global level;
  • Global Security Strategy: Advancing and promoting the initiative to create a Global Security Strategy put forward by the President of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdimuhamedov, which perfectly complies with the norms of international law.

Counter-terrorism: A new UN office will open in Ashgabat

Another important direction of the talks was the issues of strengthening regional and global security. The Turkmen side reaffirmed its commitment to further fully support the work carried out by the UN Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia (UNRCCA).

At the same time, with the aim of raising the effectiveness of the coordinated fight against international threats and challenges to a new level, an innovative initiative to establish a Programme Office of the UN Office of Counter-Terrorism in the capital of Turkmenistan, Ashgabat, was introduced. This new office will turn into an important analytical, coordination, and expert platform in the region in the future.

At the end of the meeting, the parties confidently reaffirmed their full readiness to further deepen bilateral cooperation, successfully implement joint international programs, and train high-level professional diplomatic personnel.