At the invitation of the Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, Secretary-General of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Nurlan Yermekbayev participated in the Forum of the International Year of Peace and Trust, which took place on 12 December 2025 in Ashgabat.

The event was held in accordance with the United Nations General Assembly Resolution declaring 2025 the International Year of Peace and was dedicated to the 30^th anniversary of Turkmenistan’s permanent neutrality. Sixteen heads of state and government, as well as over 10 heads of executive bodies of international and regional organizations, participated in the forum.

Before the opening of the forum, the Secretary-General, along with the heads of state, government, and heads of international organizations, participated in a flower-laying ceremony at the Monument of Neutrality.

During his speech at the plenary session “Peace and Trust: Unity of Purpose for a Sustainable Future,” the Secretary-General noted that SCO member states were among the first to recognize Turkmenistan’s neutral status and support its peace initiatives.

Nurlan Yermekbayev recalled that the Tianjin Declaration of the Council of Heads of State, adopted on September 1, 2025, reaffirmed the SCO member states’ readiness to act in accordance with the “Shanghai Spirit.” He also emphasized that its goals and objectives are consistent with the noble principles of neutrality. According to him, the main priorities are openness to broad partnerships, receptivity to positive global experience, and an active peace-loving stance in resolving regional and global issues.

On the sidelines of the event, the SCO Secretary-General met with the Chairman of the Halk Maslakhaty of Turkmenistan and National Leader of the Turkmen People, Mr. Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov. Current interactions and further development of cooperation between the SCO and Turkmenistan in various fields were discussed.

During the forum, Nurlan Yermekbayev also met with representatives of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

A source