Distinguished members of the media,
I want to start by expressing my enormous gratitude for the wonderful hospitality that I am enjoying, and my delegation is enjoying, in Turkmenistan.
I feel extremely grateful for the wonderful distinction as I received this medal that commemorates three hundred years of the enormous poet and philosopher Magtymguly, whose words in favour of justice and harmony for people and planet represent a programme for the United Nations’ action in today’s world, where more than ever, we need justice and harmony for people and planet.
And I am extremely grateful to be able to share the philosophy of this extraordinary poet of Turkmenistan, of Central Asia and of the world.
Central Asia is not only a crossroads of civilization; Central Asia is an origin of civilization, contributing to the whole world.
Turkmenistan is playing a very important role in international relations, and in particular, in cooperation with the United Nations.
In these troubled times, I commend Turkmenistan’s policy of neutrality.
And I congratulate Turkmenistan on its successful initiatives – from the General Assembly Declaration of 2025 as the International Year of ¹ú²úAV and Trust, to its leadership on sustainable transport, resulting in the UN Decade, which will start in 2026.Ìý
Since my last visit seven years ago, many global challenges have affected this region: the COVID-19 pandemic, rising geopolitical tensions and the intensifying climate crisis.
I am encouraged that despite this, relations between Central Asian countries have improved and regional cooperation has deepened, with an important role played by Turkmenistan.
Central Asia continues to face many obstacles to development - water shortages, land degradation, natural hazards, and a lack of adequate connectivity.
The solutions are interlinked and can be found through dialogue and cooperation, and Turkmenistan plays a central role in that cooperation.
In today’s difficult geopolitical conditions, it is more important than ever for the countries of Central Asia to strengthen partnerships and to seek joint responses.
In this spirit, I thank Turkmenistan for its engagement, advocacy and humanitarian assistance to the people of Afghanistan.
The commitment of the United Nations to this region is demonstrated by the establishment of the UN Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia here in Ashgabat. I thank the President and the Government for the generous hosting of this institution.Ìý
With the engagement of all five Central Asian countries, the Regional Centre [for Preventive Diplomacy] will continue to provide a forum for coming together around common solutions, especially on the implementation of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy in Central Asia and the management of natural resources to the benefit of all.
I am glad to see the cooperation with the UN Country Team, that enjoys a wonderful hospitality, and I thank the Government for providing additional premises for the team in Ashgabat.
Like other countries across Central Asia, Turkmenistan is suffering the impacts of the intensifying climate crisis. Rising temperatures are affecting agriculture and water resources, and contributing to the movement of people.Ìý
We urgently need far more ambitious climate action and cuts in emissions if the world is to stay within 1.5 degrees of global heating.
To achieve this, all countries must submit new national climate action plans by next year, which should include concrete steps to cut the production and consumption of fossil fuels by at least thirty percent by 2030.
I hope Turkmenistan will play a full part in the global energy transition, including at this year’s Conference of Parties in Azerbaijan.Ìý I commend Turkmenistan for its decision to sign the Methane Pledge.
Dear members of the media,
Turkmenistan has made important strides towards a number of Sustainable Development Goals, and I commend its commitment to the 2030 Agenda.
I am pleased that our Country Team is engaged with the Government in identifying gaps and risks in achieving the SDGs, for even more effective implementation. I welcome the fact that there is a plan in place to increase the pace of SDG implementation and financing through prioritized joint programmes. Ìý
Sustainable, inclusive development can be enormously enhanced by respect for the full spectrum of human rights – economic, social, political, cultural and civic.
I encourage Turkmenistan to continue engaging with UN human rights mechanisms and recommendations. The UN Country Team is ready to support the government in implementing the recommendations it has accepted from the Human Rights Council’s Universal Periodic Review, in order for all groups and minorities to be protected, and all voices to be represented.
Dear members of the media,
Around the world, multilateralism is being challenged and countries are failing to unite between [behind] global solutions.
The UN Security Council and the international financial architecture, our global frameworks and institutions, need deep reforms, to make them more representative of today’s world, and responsive to today’s challenges – and much more capable of supporting developing countries.
The Summit of the Future in September is a pivotal opportunity for renewal and reform. Central Asian countries, especially Turkmenistan, have a key role to play, and their voice is respected and must have an enormous influence on the work of the Summit.
The United Nations looks forward to strengthening cooperation with Turkmenistan to advance the UN pillars of peace, development and human rights.
Ìý
And I want to wish the best success for the people of Turkmenistan, and the possibility that, more and more, the people of Turkmenistan will be able to benefit from all the extraordinary contributions that progress and development can provide. And that Turkmenistan remains a key factor of peace, a key factor of neutrality in today’s international community.
Thank you very much.
Ìý