A friendly chess tournament was held at the Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO), marking the start of the international initiative ‘UN Friendship Games.’ Turkmenistan, as the initiator of the proclamation of 2025 as the International Year of Peace and Trust, took an active part in this significant event. This was reported by the online publication Orient.

The tournament was organised by the Russian Association for Assistance of the UN with the support of MGIMO, the UN Information Centre and the Embassy of Turkmenistan in the Russian Federation. The opening ceremony was attended by the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Turkmenistan to Russia, E.M. Aydogdyev, who emphasised the importance of sports diplomacy for strengthening international cooperation.

In his speech, the Ambassador of Turkmenistan noted the special significance of 2025 for the country, which marks three important dates: the 80th anniversary of Victory, the 80th anniversary of the United Nations and the 30th anniversary of Turkmenistan's permanent neutrality. These events underscore the country's contribution to maintaining peace and stability in the international arena.

The chess tournament brought together more than 30 participants, including representatives of the diplomatic corps, students and students of sports schools. Turkmenistan's participation in this project once again demonstrated the country's role as an active supporter of UN peace initiatives.