On 25 December 25, 2025, the ceremony titled “International Year of Peace and Trust: Confident Steps of Neutral Turkmenistan,” organized by the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan, was held in Ashgabat.
The event was attended by members of the Government, heads and representatives of the country’s diplomatic service, diplomatic missions of foreign states and international organizations accredited in Turkmenistan, citizens working in various sectors, as well as youth.
The culminating moment of the solemn meeting was the award ceremony, during which heads of diplomatic missions of foreign states and international organizations accredited in Turkmenistan, as well as citizens of Turkmenistan, were presented with the Jubilee Medal of Turkmenistan “Türkmenistanyň Bitaraplygynyň 30 ýyllygyna” [For 30th anniversary of Turkmenistan’s Neutrality] and a commemorative silver badge.
During the ceremony, Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan R. Meredov announced that President Serdar Berdimuhamedov had signed the relevant Decrees and Resolution. Then, Managing Director of the Apparatus of the Halk Maslahaty R. Bazarov read out the texts of the documents.
The Jubilee Medal of Turkmenistan “Türkmenistanyň Bitaraplygynyň 30 ýyllygyna” was awarded to:
Heads of diplomatic missions of foreign states and international organizations accredited in Turkmenistan:
- Elizabeth Helen Rud – Ambassador of the United States of America;
- Gismat Fuzuli ogly Gozalov – Ambassador of the Republic of Azerbaijan;
- Ali Mardan Ali Mojtaba Rouzbahani – Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran;
- Bernd Josef Heinze – Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany;
- Ravshanbek Alimov – Ambassador of the Republic of Uzbekistan;
- Ivan Volynkin – Ambassador of the Russian Federation;
- Vafo Niyatbekzoda – Ambassador of the Republic of Tajikistan;
- Ahmet Demirok – Ambassador of the Republic of Türkiye;
- Hiroshi Sasaki – Ambassador of Japan;
- Kim Jun Chol – Chargé d’Affaires ad interim of the Embassy of the Republic of Korea;
- Jalpa Ratna – Representative of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF);
- Artur Tadeusz Andrysiak – Head of the Asian Development Bank Representative Office.
Citizens of Turkmenistan:
- Bayram Rahimgulyev – leading specialist of the Department of State Protocol and International Relations;
- Davut Orazsahedov – Director of the Magtymguly Institute of Language, Literature and National Manuscripts of the Academy of Sciences of Turkmenistan;
- Maya Ashyrova – teacher of German language with medical specialization at the International Educational and Scientific Center of the Ministry of Health and Medical Industry;
- Altyn Mommadova – Head of the Department of Foreign Policy Information and Digital Diplomacy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs;
- Dovlet Chotbaev – First Secretary of the Department of International Organizations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
In addition, all the above-mentioned foreign diplomats and representatives of international organizations, as well as the listed citizens of Turkmenistan, were awarded the commemorative silver badge “Türkmenistanyň hemişelik Bitaraplygynyň 30 ýyllygy”.
The awards served as a vivid expression of gratitude for contributions to strengthening the independence and neutrality of Turkmenistan, developing sectors of the economy, science, and healthcare, as well as for active support and promotion of the policy of peace and trust on the international arena. The ceremony underscored the high international authority of the country and its commitment to the principles of positive neutrality on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of this status.
At the ceremony “International Year of Peace and Trust: Confident Steps of Neutral Turkmenistan,” the following participants delivered speeches:
- R. Bazarov – Managing Director of the Apparatus of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan.
- R. Meredov – Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan.
- A. Ataeva – Permanent Representative of Turkmenistan to the United Nations, Hero of Turkmenistan.
- Jalpa Ratna – Representative of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in Turkmenistan.
- Elizabeth Rud – Ambassador of the United States to Turkmenistan.
- Bernd Heinze – Ambassador of Germany to Turkmenistan.
- Ravshanbek Alimov – Ambassador of Uzbekistan to Turkmenistan.
- Ali Mojtaba Rouzbahani – Ambassador of Iran to Turkmenistan.
- B. Hojaberdiyev – resident of Vekilbazar district, Mary province
- Ch. Vekilova – lecturer at the International University for Humanities and Development.
- O. Sahetmyradov – student of the Institute of International Relations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan.
All speakers unanimously emphasized the historical significance of 2025 for Turkmenistan: the coincidence of the 30th anniversary of the country’s permanent neutrality, the International Year of Peace and Trust (proclaimed on the initiative of Turkmenistan), and the 80th anniversary of the United Nations. They highly praised the role of positive neutrality as the foundation of the state’s foreign policy, laid by the National Leader of the Turkmen people Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, and successfully continued by President Serdar Berdimuhamedov.
The speakers highlighted the significant achievements of Turkmen diplomacy in the outgoing year: the adoption of a number of UN General Assembly resolutions on Turkmenistan’s initiative (including those on energy, transport, and confirmation of neutrality status), the successful hosting of major international forums in Ashgabat and the Avaza National Tourist Zone, as well as the International Forum marking the neutrality anniversary with the participation of heads of state and organizations.
Foreign diplomats and representatives of international organizations expressed full support for Turkmenistan’s policy of positive neutrality, emphasizing its contribution to strengthening regional and global stability, peace, trust, and sustainable development. They particularly noted the country’s constructive role in addressing global issues, including transport connectivity, energy, and the rights of women and children.
Representatives of Turkmen society focused on the fact that the principles of peace, good-neighborliness, and humanism inherent in the Turkmen people are embodied in the state’s foreign and domestic policy, as well as on comprehensive state support for youth, women, and the younger generation.
Overall, the speeches confirmed Turkmenistan’s broad international authority as a center of peacemaking and a reliable partner on the world stage.///nCa, 26 December 2025 (photo credit – TDH)