Peace and Trust: Mirziyoyev Speaks at Ashgabat Forum on Neutrality

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — On 12 December 2025, the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, participated in the International Forum in Ashgabat dedicated to the 30th anniversary of Turkmenistan’s permanent neutrality, the International Day of Neutrality, and the proclamation of 2025 as the “International Year of Peace and Trust.”

The event was chaired by the President of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdimuhamedow, and brought together leaders from several countries, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov, Tajik President Emomali Rahmon, as well as heads of governments and leaders of international and regional organizations.

In his speech, Shavkat Mirziyoyev congratulated Turkmenistan on the 30th anniversary of permanent neutrality, emphasizing that this milestone reflects Turkmenistan’s unwavering commitment to developing peaceful, trusting, and mutually beneficial relations with all countries worldwide.

“Turkmenistan’s neutrality, which has become part of the modern identity of the Turkmen people, is grounded in deep historical traditions, cultural and spiritual values, as well as qualities such as generosity, tolerance, and good-neighborliness,” the President of Uzbekistan noted.

Special support was expressed for Turkmenistan’s initiative to establish, jointly with the United Nations, a University of Peace and Neutrality. Shavkat Mirziyoyev stressed that for the New Uzbekistan, openness to the world, mutual respect, and a commitment to dialogue are fundamental values. These are reflected, in particular, in the Samarkand Initiative of Solidarity for Shared Security and Prosperity, which aims to engage all parties seeking peace, harmony, and sustainable development.

The President also outlined priorities for Uzbekistan’s upcoming chairmanship in the Non-Aligned Movement: promoting the global culture of peace and nonviolence, strengthening trust between states through political dialogue, and fostering an atmosphere of tolerance, mutual understanding, and solidarity. During the chairmanship, 2027 is planned to be declared the Year of Preventive Diplomacy, including the organization of conferences, forums, and exchanges of parliamentary, civil society, and youth delegations to support conflict resolution in the interest of future generations.

Amid global tensions and declining trust between states, Uzbekistan supported Turkmenistan’s proposal to declare 2025 the International Year of Peace and Trust, co-authoring the relevant UN General Assembly resolution. Shavkat Mirziyoyev emphasized that the principles of mutual trust, respect, and solidarity form the foundation of policies aimed at turning Central Asia into a space of peace, cooperation, and good-neighborliness.

“The seventh Advisory Meeting of regional heads of state, held last month in Tashkent, demonstrated the countries’ readiness to strengthen solidarity, jointly ensure peace and stability, and expand multifaceted economic cooperation,” the President noted.

He highlighted the special role of Turkmenistan’s constructive and peace-oriented policies in ensuring stability and development in Central Asia and expressed confidence that Ashgabat’s initiatives, based on the principles of peace and trust, will be appropriately reflected in the agendas of future Advisory Meetings.

The importance of humanitarian interaction was also emphasized. In this context, Shavkat Mirziyoyev proposed holding an international humanitarian forum, “Dialogue of Cultures,” in Tashkent next year and launching a regional program, “Youth for Peace and Trust.”

In conclusion, the President reaffirmed Uzbekistan’s readiness to continue contributing constructively to the establishment of a just and stable world order.