The Institute of International Relations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan hosted an international conference on the adoption of the UN General Assembly resolution “UN Friendship Games” on the initiative of Turkmenistan and the Republic of India. The conference was attended by leaders and staff from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the country, heads and representatives of diplomatic missions and international organizations accredited in Turkmenistan, representatives of political parties, faculty and students from universities, leaders of public organizations, local and foreign media and sportsmen.

Rashid Meredov, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan, addressed the forum participants. Stressing the significance of adoption of the “UN Friendship Games” resolution by consensus, he noted that the delegation of rights to the country to host major international sporting events, such as the 5th Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games in 2017 in Ashgabat, as well as the adoption of the UN General Assembly resolution in 2018, initiated by Turkmenistan, declaring June 3 as World Bicycle Day, along with the decision by the Council of Heads of Government of the CIS to designate Ashgabat as the "City of New Sports Opportunities of the Commonwealth", result from many factors.

It is not only the ability of a country to build the necessary number of stadiums, courts, pools, hotels, and other infrastructure that is taken into account. Equally important criteria, Meredov stated, include the level of internal political stability, the state of relations with other countries, government approaches to issues such as ensuring and maintaining public consensus and tolerance, support for youth, children, and adolescents, as well as health policies and the promotion of a healthy lifestyle.

Sport is intended to be one of the tools for friendship and mutual understanding among nations. The rejection of racism, xenophobia, and extremism must be firmly embedded in the ideology of the international sports movement. In Turkmenistan, this is instilled in people from childhood, in schools, universities, and military units, and is reflected in the hospitality and kindness of our compatriots towards representatives of foreign countries, regardless of their nationality or religion, Meredov emphasized.

By actively participating in the international sports movement, organizing representative competitions, initiating UN decisions in this sphere, Turkmenistan in practice confirms its commitment to the humanistic ideals of the Olympic Movement. And this position is naturally supported and respected by the international community.

The conference was also addressed by the representative of the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) in Turkmenistan Jalpa Ratna, Head of the Department of the Turkmen State University named after Magtymguly, Atajan Burunov, Ambassador of the Republic of India to Turkmenistan Madhumita Hazarika Bhagat, Rector of the Turkmen State Institute of Physical Education and Sports Hydyr Nunnayev, Political Advisor of UNRCCA Andrey Khanzhin and others.

Participants stated that sports and sports diplomacy have a unique ability to build trust, unite people, and promote understanding and acceptance of diversity. Therefore, this initiative embodies the principles of inclusivity and equality, reflecting the foundational principle of the Sustainable Development Agenda: "Leave no one behind".

On 6 September 2024, during the 107th plenary meeting of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly, adopted Resolution “United Nations Friendship Games” initiated by Turkmenistan and India under agenda item 11 “Sport for Development and Peace: Building a Peaceful and Better World through Sport and the Olympic Ideal”.

In April this year, the first UN Friendship Games were held in New York on the initiative of Turkmenistan. The draft resolution “United Nations Friendship Games” was prepared following consultations with UN member states and taking into account all constructive proposals.

The resolution regulates the holding of the UN Friendship Games on an annual basis and provides for the establishment of an Organizing Committee and a Trust Fund for the preparation and holding of the next Games in April 2025.

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