Tariq Saeedi International relations have always been about information—gathering it, interpreting it, and acting on it before your counterpart does. For centuries, the advantage went to those with better intelligence networks, sharper analysts, and more experienced diplomats who could read the room and sense what wasn't being said. That fundamental calculus hasn't … [Read more...]
Advancing Peace, Trust, and Sustainable Development: The UN–Turkmenistan Partnership in 2025 – UPDATED VERSION
Dmitry Shlapachenko, UN Resident Coordinator in Turkmenistan In 2025, the partnership between Turkmenistan and the United Nations reached new heights, exemplifying the power of collaboration in advancing peace, trust, and sustainable development. This milestone year saw Turkmenistan successfully host the Third United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries in … [Read more...]
Have No Desire to Act as a Mediator in International Disputes, Tokayev’s quiet diplomacy
President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev does not aspire to the role of mediator in international disputes. He made this clear in an interview with the newspaper ‘Turkistan’, while summing up Kazakhstan's foreign policy achievements in 2025. "I have no desire whatsoever to act as a mediator in international disputes, nor do I have any ambition to return to work at the … [Read more...]
2026 – Messy Start but Hope Must Prevail
Tariq Saeedi The new year has arrived not with celebration but with crisis. Venezuela teeters on the edge of collapse. Iran's political future remains uncertain, its reverberations felt across the Middle East. Conflicts of varying intensity continue to burn through communities from Eastern Europe to the Horn of Africa. The world feels fractured, reactive, trapped in a … [Read more...]
Central Asia in 2025
Tariq Saeedi While much of the world spent 2025 navigating economic uncertainty and geopolitical turbulence, Central Asia quietly emerged as one of the year's most remarkable success stories. The five nations—Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Turkmenistan—achieved something increasingly rare in today's fractured global landscape: they maintained steady … [Read more...]
Beacon of Dialogue and Cooperation: Ceremony for the Opening of the Updated Monument “Neutrality” Held in Ashgabat
Elvira Kadyrova On 11 December 2025, in the capital of Turkmenistan, Ashgabat, a solemn ceremony was held for the opening of the updated Monument "Neutrality," timed to coincide with the 30th anniversary of the country's permanent neutrality. Hundreds of participants—members of the government, diplomatic missions, numerous foreign guests representing governments, … [Read more...]
National Leader of Turkmenistan has bilateral meetings on the sidelines of International Events
On the sidelines of the International Forum "The Role of Women in Modern Society: Developing International Cooperation to Achieve the Sustainable Development Goals" held in the Avaza National Tourist Zone, and the International Conference on Neutrality, scheduled for 12 December 2025 in Ashgabat, the National Leader of the Turkmen people and Chairman of the Halk Maslakhaty, … [Read more...]
Does Active Neutrality Create a Moral High Ground in International Relations?
Tariq Saeedi As Turkmenistan prepares to mark the 30th anniversary of its permanent neutrality on December 12, 2025, with world leaders gathering in Ashgabat for an international conference, a deeper question emerges: Does three decades of active, dynamic neutrality confer a particular moral authority in global affairs? The answer, it turns out, is both yes and no—and … [Read more...]
Celebrating the Human Essence of Neutrality: Turkmenistan’s 30 Years of Impartial Wisdom
Tariq Saeedi As the world turns its eyes toward Ashgabat this December 12, 2025, for the grand international conference commemorating the 30th anniversary of Turkmenistan's permanent neutrality, it's hard not to feel a spark of optimism amid the usual chaos of global affairs. Heads of state and government from across the globe are set to gather in the Turkmen capital, not … [Read more...]
Equality and Mutual Respect
Tariq Saeedi ‘Equality and mutual respect’ is more than a utopian concept in international relations. It is an important and useful instrument in the modern diplomacy. Where Did the Idea of Equality and Mutual Respect Between Nations Come From? The idea that all countries should be treated as equals goes back to 1648 and … [Read more...]
The Theory of Double Quagmire: Why Every War Becomes Everyone’s War
Tariq Saeedi Last month, while watching yet another news briefing about escalating tensions somewhere in the world, I found myself thinking about quicksand. Not because I'm particularly fascinated by natural hazards, but because the metaphor kept forcing itself into my mind as I listened to officials explain their "limited engagement" and "targeted objectives." We've … [Read more...]
Neutral Countries and Context of their Neutrality
nCa Report Neutral Countries in the world As of May 2025, the number of countries considered neutral varies depending on the definition of neutrality, which can be strict (permanent neutrality codified by law or treaty) or qualified (non-alignment or situational neutrality). Based on available data, approximately 8 to 14 countries are commonly recognized as neutral, … [Read more...]
The opening ceremony of the regional training for young diplomats and civil servants of Central Asian countries was held
On May 12, 2025, the Institute of International Relations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan hosted the opening ceremony of the regional training for young diplomats and other civil servants of Central Asian countries, as well as the II International Competition “International Relations: Culture of Peaceful Dialogue”. The training, being held for the … [Read more...]
Peace is Strength, Not Weakness
Tariq Saeedi “Peace is not about dodging a fight or waving a white flag. It’s about standing your ground, knowing your strength, and choosing not to swing,” said Mama Wanjiru. “Peace doesn’t flinch; Peace is the real strength,” she added forcefully, as she splashed a ladle of stewed vegetables on my plate of ugali. Mama Wanjiru sold home-cooked ugali, a kind of … [Read more...]
The Central Asia–European Union ministerial meeting was held in Ashgabat
The 20th Central Asia-European Union Ministerial Meeting was held in Ashgabat on March 27, 2025. It was attended by the heads of the foreign ministries of the Central Asian countries, as well as a European delegation led by the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Vice-President of the European Commission, Kaja Kallas. The … [Read more...]
Conference “International Year of Peace and Trust: The Triumph of Turkmenistan’s Permanent Neutrality”
On March 24, 2025, the Conference “International Year of Peace and Trust: The Triumph of Permanent Neutrality of Turkmenistan” was held at the Mekan Palace, dedicated to the adoption of the Resolution “Permanent Neutrality of Turkmenistan” during the 61st plenary meeting of the 79th session of the UN General Assembly. The conference was attended by members of the … [Read more...]
The Science and art of Peace
Tariq Saeedi Peace is, arguably, one of the most talked about but least understood things. In making this statement, we are not arguing that the importance of peace is not truly understood – it is. What we are asserting here is that the nature of peace is not fully understood at all times, by all of the stakeholders. Our contention: Peace is simultaneously an art and a … [Read more...]
International Conference “The Role of Neutrality in Strengthening International Peace” was held in Islamabad
On March 15, 2025, the Embassy of Turkmenistan in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan jointly with the Institute of Peace and Diplomatic Studies (IPDS) of Pakistan held an international conference "The Role of Neutrality in Strengthening International Peace" dedicated to the 30th anniversary of the Neutrality of Turkmenistan. In his welcoming address, Ambassador of Turkmenistan … [Read more...]
Respect in International Relations: The Invisible Bridge to Global Peace
nCa Commentary At the heart of international relations lies an intangible yet powerful force: respect. It is a principle woven into the fabric of global governance, conflict resolution, and diplomacy, acting as both a moral compass and a practical tool for cooperation. From the founding documents of the United Nations to modern peace agreements, respect—whether for … [Read more...]
The Quiet Power of Peace: How Calm Hearts Build Stronger Nations
nCa Commentary Imagine a world where children walk to school without fear, families gather in public squares without scanning for threats, and neighbors don’t brace for the sound of sirens. This is the lived reality of peace—and its psychological ripple effects run far deeper than mere relief from violence. Peace isn’t just the absence of war; it’s the presence of … [Read more...]
The Invisible Thread: How Trust Weaves the Fabric of Global Peace
nCa Commentary Peace and trust share a delicate, symbiotic relationship in international relations. While peace is often defined as the absence of war, its longevity depends on something less tangible but equally vital: trust. Without trust, even the most carefully negotiated treaties risk unraveling, and the fragile bonds between nations can fracture under pressure. … [Read more...]
Turkmenistan delegation visits Ethiopia: strengthening international relations
From 31 January to 2 February 2025, a delegation of Turkmenistan headed by Chairman of the Democratic Party of Turkmenistan A.Serdarov paid a working visit to Ethiopia, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan reports. Participation in the Second Congress of the Prosperity Party During the visit, which took place at the invitation of the leadership of the … [Read more...]
Launch of Centre for Global Security Initiative Studies in China coincides with release of Report on the Implementation Progress of the Global Security Initiative
China has established the Centre for Global Security Initiative Studies in Beijing. The launch ceremony took place on 18 July 2024. It coincides with the release of the Report on the Implementation of the Global Security Initiative. Vice Foreign Minister Chen Xiaodong, addressing the ceremony, said that in April 2022, President Xi Jinping put forward the Global Security … [Read more...]
Consul General of Turkmenistan in Kazan met with participants of the young diplomat contest
On 22 April 2024, the Consuls General of foreign countries accredited in Kazan (Tatarstan, Russia), in particular Turkmenistan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan met with the participants of the Youth Ambassadors competition. The meeting provided a valuable opportunity for the young diplomats to gain insights from experienced diplomats. The Consuls General offered … [Read more...]
Speech by the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslakhaty of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov at the third Antalya Diplomatic Forum
(Antalya, March 1, 2024) Dear heads and members of delegations! Ladies and Gentlemen! First of all, I express my gratitude to the President of the Republic of Turkey, my dear brother Recep Tayyip Erdogan, for the invitation to this forum. I am also grateful to the organizers for the opportunity to speak at this prestigious forum, which, I want to note, is organized at a high … [Read more...]