Abdulhamid Hamid Al-Kba

In a moment when the world's pulse accelerates toward a dialogue that redraws the maps of peace, Ashgabat emerges as a star in the sky of Central Asia. Imagine leaders from five continents gathering under one dome, exchanging not accusations but promises, and building bridges of trust on the ruins of conflicts. On December 12, 2025, with only a few weeks remaining, Turkmenistan intensifies its preparations to host the International Forum on Peace and Trust—a historic event crowning an international year it initiated and commemorating the 30th anniversary of its permanent neutrality.

This is not merely a conference; it is a bold declaration that neutrality can be a soft weapon for the 21st century, and that Turkmenistan—the neutral state—has become a global voice calling for "Dialogue as a Guarantee of Peace." In an era boiling with crises, this forum arrives like a breath of fresh air, drawing its strength from Turkmenistan's rich heritage of peace and its audacious ambitions to build a safer, more interconnected world.Crowning the International Year of Peace and TrustThe forum serves as the pinnacle of 2025, which the UN General Assembly declared the "International Year of Peace and Trust" on Turkmenistan's initiative, co-sponsored by 86 countries and adopted unanimously on March 21, 2024.

This resolution, reflecting global recognition that peace requires sustainable trust, coincides with the 30th anniversary of Turkmenistan's permanent neutrality, endorsed by the United Nations on December 12, 1995, with the consensus of 185 member states and reaffirmed in 2015 and on March 21, 2025.In February 2017, December 12 was proclaimed the International Day of Neutrality, making the forum a historic moment that blends celebration with practical dialogue.

The event's significance lies in its role as a high-level platform attracting heads of state, foreign ministers, and leaders of regional organizations from around the world to discuss preventive diplomacy, sustainable development, regional cooperation, and confronting global challenges such as energy security, climate change, and transnational threats. In a world witnessing escalating conflicts, the forum stands out as a practical response, leveraging the success of the UN Regional Center for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia in Ashgabat since 2007 to transform words into real preventive mechanisms.

Turkmenistan is not just a host; it is the architect of this event, transforming its permanent neutrality—repeatedly affirmed by the United Nations—into a global model for peace. Under the leadership of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov and National Leader Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, the country has become a symbol of humanitarian diplomacy.

On September 19, 2025, the President signed the historic constitutional law "On the Legal Foundations of the Policy of Peace and Trust in Neutral Turkmenistan," which codifies 14 fundamental principles, including "Dialogue as a Guarantee of Peace," prioritizing internationally recognized norms of international law, fulfilling obligations in good faith, and focusing on preventive and parliamentary diplomacy as well as the Group of Friends of Neutrality.This law, proposed on August 20, 2025, by the National Leader, reflects the state's priorities ahead of the forum and builds on previous achievements, such as the October 2024 resolution declaring Central Asia a "Zone of Peace, Trust, and Cooperation.

"Turkmenistan's role in peace is also evident in energy diplomacy, where it contributed to UN resolutions in 2008, 2013, and 2023. The TAPI pipeline project (Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India) embodies its commitment to sustainable interconnectivity, providing economic returns and reducing tensions through shared interests. Thus, neutrality evolves from a defensive policy into a soft power enhancing regional and global stability.To ensure the forum's success, the government established a state organizing committee chaired personally by National Leader Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov.

At the November 8, 2025, meeting attended by Cabinet members and senior officials, readiness was assessed across organizational and logistical aspects, including national and international events. This committee expresses national unity, making the hosting a model of efficiency with regular evaluations in diplomatic, logistical, infrastructure, and protocol dimensions.

Ashgabat is transforming into a vibrant canvas in preparation for international delegations. Deputy Prime Minister B. Annamamedov reported extensive reconstruction efforts, including upgrades to residential complexes, new commercial facilities, replacement of streetlights, improvements to roads and crossings, facade renovations, landscape expansion, and enhanced communications.

A committee comprising representatives from relevant government agencies oversees every detail, ensuring the capital reflects Turkmen traditions of hospitality and its readiness to host a historic event.Turkmenistan launched the multilingual website www.neutrality.gov.tm (in Turkmen, English, and Russian) as a comprehensive resource for participants. It provides the forum's agenda, insights into foreign policy, achievements in economy and education, and an electronic registration form.

According to official reports, the site continues processing registration requests and providing updated information, reflecting growing international interest from dozens of countries. As of mid-November 2025, diplomatic reports confirmed potential participation from more than 90 countries, with thousands of applications via the electronic portal.

As preparations enter their final month, Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov conducted intensive telephone talks on November 12, 2025, with counterparts in Hungary (Péter Szijjártó), Slovakia (Marek Eštok), Iraq (Fuad Hussein), and Djibouti (Mahmoud Ali Youssouf), discussing bilateral cooperation and forum participation. These are part of a campaign involving 87 phone calls since January, in addition to the March 10, 2025, briefing attended by over 100 representatives from UN agencies, the European Union, and countries like Germany and India.

The National Leader also maintained contact with UN Secretary-General António Guterres, who acknowledged the relevance of Turkmenistan's initiatives and affirmed UN support for neutrality and peace activities. These interactions strengthen international engagement, with confirmations from high-level delegations.The forum will cover critical areas: preventive diplomacy through a meeting of UN center heads; sustainable development by linking its goals to peace; regional cooperation in Central Asia; a comprehensive global security strategy under President Serdar Berdimuhamedov's initiative; parliamentary diplomacy via the Group of Friends of Neutrality; and energy security with updates on TAPI and the CASA-1000 corridor.

Each session concludes with actionable recommendations, making the forum a workshop rather than mere dialogue.With less than a month remaining, 24 ministries work around the clock to equip the international reception center with translation technology for 12 languages and integrated security systems. The forum will be accompanied by celebratory events reflecting Turkmen hospitality traditions, with the international reception center prepared to the highest standards. The website processes hundreds of applications daily.

Ashgabat, with its final beautification, has become an ideal destination embodying the spirit of hospitality and history.Thus, the International Forum on Peace and Trust is not the end of a celebration but the launch of a dialogue era led by Turkmen neutrality—where Ashgabat transforms into a global trust hub, and Turkmenistan becomes a voice echoing in the United Nations: "Peace is not a dream but a shared project.

" On December 12, 2025, new charters will emerge from these halls, such as the "Ashgabat Charter for Preventive Diplomacy" and the "Regional Trust Fund," proclaiming that the world can heal if it chooses dialogue. This event will not only alter maps; it will rewrite humanity's history, starting from the heart of Central Asia.