The visit of the National Leader of the Turkmen People and Chairman of the Khalk Maslakhaty of Turkmenistan to Austria, which concluded on April 9, was marked by his participation in the Vienna International Energy and Climate Forum (IVECF). Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov's speech at the Hofburg Palace was the central event of the forum, offering the international community not just declarations but concrete international legal instruments for breaking the global energy impasse.

The UN Energy Code and the Depoliticization of Resources

The key point of Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov's speech was the call for the complete and guaranteed depoliticization of the energy sector. The National Leader of the Turkmen People emphasized that access to energy is not a privilege, but a natural right of every nation, which should not depend on the current geopolitical situation.

As a practical step, the Chairman of the Khalk Maslakhaty of Turkmenistan proposed developing an "Energy Code" under the auspices of the UN. This document is intended to serve as a legal shield against the use of energy resources as a tool of political pressure. At the same time, Turkmenistan is initiating the creation of a universal international legal instrument that will regulate the entire chain: from production and transit to final consumption of hydrocarbons.

Hydrogen Strategy and a Decade of Green Transition

Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov placed particular emphasis on the technological future. The National Leader of the Turkmen People announced the start of practical development of hydrogen energy in Turkmenistan using natural gas. This is an ambitious step that transforms the country from a raw materials exporter into a supplier of the clean fuel of the future.

To facilitate global coordination of this process, the Chairman of the Khalk Maslakhaty (People's Council) proposed the creation of a Global Program for the Transition to Hydrogen Energy, designed for a ten-year period. Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov confirmed that Turkmenistan is open to discussing the modalities of this document with the UN, offering Ashgabat as a platform for technological dialogue.

The Environmental Imperative and the Global Methane Commitment

Turkmenistan's climate agenda was presented as a systemic effort, supported by tangible data. President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov recalled the country's accession to the Global Methane Commitment, under which Turkmenistan intends to reduce methane emissions by 30% by 2030.

The Chairman of the Khalk Maslakhaty emphasized that the fight against climate change in the region will receive new impetus with the launch of the UN Regional Climate Technology Centre in Ashgabat. The government is committed to providing the most favorable conditions for the operation of this structure, which will serve as a scientific and innovative hub for all of Central Asia.

Justice for Landlocked Countries

Protecting the interests of landlocked developing countries (LLDCs) was another key topic of his speech. Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov emphasized that the Avaza Declaration, adopted in August 2025, provides a moral and legal framework for addressing the legitimate needs of 44 states.

The National Leader of the Turkmen people expressed his determination to implement all provisions of this document, insisting that the right to access the world's waterways and resources is crucial to the sustainable development of tens of millions of people.

A New Page of Partnership

Concluding his speech, National Leader of the Turkmen People and Chairman of the Khalk Maslakhaty, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, expressed confidence that only through systemic dialogue and trust can modern challenges be overcome.

The visit to Vienna confirmed that Ashgabat not only follows the global agenda but actively shapes it, proposing solutions that combine national interests with global environmental and energy well-being.