On Monday, May 12, a regional seminar, which brought together young diplomats and civil servants from Central Asian countries, started at the Institute of International Relations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan. This important event is designed to strengthen cooperation and exchange experience between the future leaders of diplomacy in the region. The seminar will continue until May 16.

The opening ceremony was held with the broad participation of representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan, heads of diplomatic missions and international organizations accredited in the country, including UN agencies, as well as delegations from Central Asian countries, teachers and students of the Turkmen diplomatic school.

During the opening speeches, Turkmenistan's deep commitment to the formation of a culture of peace and trusting dialogue in modern international relations, as well as strengthening global security, was especially emphasized. A powerful testimony to this position is the recognition by the international community of Ashgabat’s initiatives: 29 resolutions of the UN General Assembly were enshrined in Turkmenistan’s proposals in such important areas as ensuring global peace, progress, sustainable transport, energy, combating climate change and in the humanitarian sphere.

Special emphasis was placed on the Turkmen policy of neutrality, which over the past years has proven its effectiveness as a tool for developing international relations and resolving contentious issues exclusively through political and diplomatic methods. Turkmenistan's readiness to share its positive experience of neutrality with other states was expressed, and priority vectors of the country's cooperation with the international community were emphasized.

Particular attention was paid to the consistency of steps and international initiatives of Turkmenistan aimed at strengthening peace and security, promoting sustainable development, humanitarian activities, addressing climate issues and youth policy issues. It was emphasized that the current seminar will serve as an effective mechanism for strengthening cooperation and creating an atmosphere of trust between young specialists from neighboring countries. This is also seen as a significant contribution to the development of mutual understanding - a key factor in modern diplomacy.

Over the course of five days, the seminar participants will have the opportunity to gain an in-depth understanding of priority approaches promoted under the auspices of the United Nations in various areas, from development and gender issues to human rights and economics. The training course is designed to enhance constructive interaction between young diplomats from the region and become an important step in strengthening both regional and international efforts to build a more stable and predictable world.

The opening ceremony of the 2nd International Competition “International Relations: Culture of Peaceful Dialogue” was also held within the walls of the same university. It is attended by undergraduate and graduate students from higher educational institutions of Turkmenistan (115 people), as well as 29 of their peers from 7 countries, including the Russian Federation, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, China, Uzbekistan and the United States of America. The holding of this competition emphasizes the importance of peaceful dialogue in modern international relations and promotes the exchange of ideas among young people.

ORIENT