Turkmenistan continues to promote initiatives within the United Nations in the fields of peace and security, preventive diplomacy, international law, transport, energy, the environment and sustainable development. The UN General Assembly has already adopted more than 30 resolutions proposed by Turkmenistan, according to the news agency TDH.

The promotion of the principles of neutrality remains one of the key priorities of the country’s foreign policy. In September 2025, at the high-level plenary meeting of the 80th session of the UN General Assembly, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov highlighted the importance of neutrality in maintaining international peace, security and sustainable development.

On 20 May 2026, the 82nd plenary meeting of the 80th session of the UN General Assembly unanimously adopted the Resolution ‘The role and importance of a policy of neutrality in maintaining and strengthening international peace, security and sustainable development’, initiated by Turkmenistan and co-sponsored by 47 states. The document became the first UN resolution adopted under a separate agenda item of the General Assembly devoted to issues of neutrality.

Turkmenistan also advocates strengthening the central role of the UN and the primacy of international law. In this regard, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov proposed declaring 2028 the Year of International Law.

On 24 July 2026, the 106th plenary meeting of the 80th session of the UN General Assembly adopted the Resolution ‘Year of International Law, 2028’. It was co-sponsored by 78 states. The document provides for the promotion of international law as the foundation of peace, security and sustainable development.

At a meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers on 1 August, comprehensive proposals for implementing this initiative were presented to the President of Turkmenistan. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs proposed drawing up a National Action Plan for 2026–2028 and establishing an Interdepartmental Working Committee comprising representatives from ministries, departments, higher education institutions and research organisations.

As part of the Year of International Law, there are plans to hold regional and international forums, educational courses and lectures; to prepare teaching and information materials; to create digital educational resources; and to organise ‘International Law Week’, model UN sessions and youth competitions.

It is proposed to establish the Ashgabat International Platform on ‘International Law’ at the Institute of International Relations of the Foreign Affairs Ministry of Turkmenistan. It is envisaged that this will serve as a platform for academic and diplomatic exchange and for hosting the annual ‘Ashgabat International Legal Dialogue’ and summer schools for young legal scholars.

The proposals also provide for the active involvement of the media, the creation of a multilingual internet portal or a dedicated information section on the Year of International Law.

Turkmenistan proposes, in collaboration with the UN Secretariat and specialised agencies, to draw up a calendar of international events for 2028. Ashgabat plans to host, under the auspices of the UN, a high-level World Forum on International Law and to consider the possibility of adopting the Ashgabat Declaration.

In addition, it is proposed to draw up a National Concept entitled ‘International Law and the Permanent Neutrality of Turkmenistan’ and to circulate it among UN Member States as a United Nations document. It is proposed that the opening of the Year of International Law take place at UN Headquarters in New York, with high-level events also to be held in Geneva, Vienna and other international centres.

A separate section is devoted to Turkmenistan’s priorities for the 81st session of the UN General Assembly. The document has been drawn up taking into account the initiatives of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov and the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov.

In the field of peace and security, Turkmenistan intends to propose the holding, under the auspices of the UN, of inter-state consultations on the preparation of a Strategy for Universal Peace. An initiative is also being put forward to declare the years 2027–2037 the United Nations Decade of Dialogue and Preventive Diplomacy and to establish, within the framework of the UN, a Group of Friends of Multilateralism and the Sovereign Equality of States.

Following on from President Serdar Berdimuhamedov’s initiative to establish the University of Peace and Neutrality, there are plans to discuss the creation of an Academic Centre for Peace, Neutrality and Preventive Diplomacy within the Department of Peace and Neutrality at the Institute of International Relations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

In the digital sphere, Turkmenistan proposes to develop, under the auspices of the UN, an International Code on the Peaceful Use of Artificial Intelligence in International Relations and Diplomacy. A dialogue among international experts on digital trust and the responsible use of artificial intelligence is also planned to be held in Ashgabat.

In the field of transport, Turkmenistan will continue its work on creating a Global Atlas of Sustainable Transport Connectivity within the framework of the resolution on the ‘UN Decade of Sustainable Transport 2026–2035’. The country also intends to participate in the implementation of the Awaza Programme of Action for 2024–2034 and the Awaza Political Declaration.

Among the new initiatives are the establishment in Turkmenistan, under the auspices of the UN, of an International Centre for Sustainable Trade Logistics and Customs Cooperation, as well as the creation of a trans-regional transport corridor linking South and Central Asia with Europe via the Caspian Sea.

In the environmental sphere, it is proposed to establish the Ashgabat Climate Dialogue as a multilateral platform for climate change and international cooperation. Turkmenistan also intends to advocate for strengthening the climate resilience of regions facing drought and water scarcity.

In the energy sector, consultations are planned to prepare for the high-level forum ‘Stable Energy for All’, in accordance with the resolution ‘The pivotal role of reliable and stable energy connectivity in driving sustainable development’.

The humanitarian agenda includes the further development of the Central Asian Women’s Dialogue and cooperation with the UN Peacebuilding Commission and UN Women within the framework of the ‘Women, Peace and Security’ agenda. Work will also continue to expand youth participation in international and regional initiatives and to support the Central Asian Youth Dialogue.

Turkmenistan will continue its cooperation with the UN in the field of international law and its activities as a member of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) for the period 2026–2028.

At the same time, the country is preparing for elections to UN bodies. During the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly, it is planned to nominate Turkmenistan for election as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the period 2031–2032, as well as to other elected UN bodies.