On July 5, the UN Secretary-General António Guterres arrived in the capital of Turkmenistan for a visit.

As known, one of the key vectors of the foreign policy course of neutral Turkmenistan, established by the National Leader of the Turkmen people and currently implemented by President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, is effective cooperation with the UN and active participation in developing solutions to pressing global issues. Furthermore, it should be noted that the main aspects of our state's "open-door" policy include strengthening peace and universal security, extensive international partnerships to ensure sustainable socio-economic development of all countries, and the well-being of peoples.

Having become a full member of the UN in 1992, Turkmenistan consistently advocates for strengthening the authority of this major organization, whose primary goals are to maintain peace and security on the planet, develop friendly relations between states, cooperate in solving international problems, ensure respect for human rights, and coordinate actions among different countries.

The openness of our Homeland, its unwavering commitment to the high principles established by the Community of Nations as the foundation of a successfully developing constructive dialogue, largely predetermined the granting of Turkmenistan's unique and singular neutral status in 1995 by the UN with the consensus of 185 states. Notably, on June 3, 2015, during the 69th session of the UN General Assembly, the Resolution "Permanent Neutrality of Turkmenistan" was adopted for the second time with the support of 193 states.

Relying on rich productive experience, bilateral cooperation is gaining new quality and content each year. A clear confirmation of this is our country's accession to major international conventions, which have become a reliable platform for long-term strategic partnerships within joint projects and programs. Over the years of interaction, our state has demonstrated consistent adherence to its commitments, building trust-based relationships with all interested parties.

The increasing authority of Turkmenistan on the international stage is also evidenced by our country's repeated election as Vice-Chair of the UN General Assembly and membership in important structural bodies of this esteemed organization, the establishment of the UN Regional Center for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia in Ashgabat, initiated by Hero-Arkadag Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov.

It should also be noted that the constructive proposals put forward by Turkmenistan at the sessions of the UN General Assembly, aimed at further strengthening cooperation within the framework of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, receive significant support from the Community of Nations. A striking example of this is the formalization of Turkmenistan's crucial initiatives on energy security and pipeline infrastructure reliability, and the establishment of mutually beneficial partnerships to form an international system of transport and transit corridors through special UN General Assembly resolutions. All this has given new impetus to the enhancement of interested comprehensive dialogue at the level of the Community of Nations.

At Ashgabat International Airport, decorated with the flags of the UN and Turkmenistan, the leader of the largest and most authoritative international organization was welcomed by the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty, Hero-Arkadag Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov.

Children in national costumes presented the distinguished guest with bread and salt and luxurious bouquets of flowers at the aircraft's ladder. Walking along the carpet path, flanked by Honor Guard soldiers, António Guterres proceeded to the official delegations' hall. Here, the UN head had a conversation with Hero-Arkadag.

Welcoming the distinguished guest, the National Leader of the Turkmen people emphasized that expanding cooperation with the United Nations is a strategic priority of Turkmenistan's foreign policy. It was noted that, actively participating in global community affairs, our country will continue to steadfastly follow a course of positive neutrality, peace-loving, and good neighborliness.

Particular emphasis was placed on the constructive nature of bilateral contacts within the framework of the Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework for 2021-2025, which serves as a foundational document for joint work. In this context, Turkmenistan confirmed its intention to continue taking necessary measures to implement the planned goals.

Noting the effectiveness of relations with international organizations and UN structural divisions, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov expressed sincere gratitude to António Guterres for supporting the constructive initiatives of the Turkmen side aimed at establishing and maintaining a climate of mutual understanding and trust on the planet.

In turn, the UN Secretary-General expressed his pleasure in visiting Ashgabat once again. He noted that the United Nations sees Turkmenistan as a reliable and responsible partner and is interested in further developing the established fruitful cooperation that meets the goals of universal well-being and progress. He also emphasized the uniqueness of Turkmenistan's international legal status of permanent neutrality, which steadfastly follows its chosen peace-loving foreign policy based on principles of good neighborliness, equality, and mutually beneficial partnerships with all interested countries.

The guest also expressed his sincere appreciation to Hero-Arkadag for his significant personal contribution to strengthening bilateral cooperation, which has acquired new quality and substance in recent years. António Guterres highly commended the efforts of the National Leader of the Turkmen people in addressing issues related to the reduction and prevention of statelessness.

With satisfaction, noting that the strategic partnership encompasses a wide range of areas – socio-economic and legal fields, humanitarian sector, education, healthcare, environment, and several others – the Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty and the UN head confirmed their readiness to progressively enhance effective relations. The solid foundation of these relations comprises the rich experience of cooperation accumulated over recent years and its multifaceted potential. Alongside this, there was expressed confidence in the further successful development of fruitful contacts based on mutual constructive proposals and efforts towards their realization.

Following this, the National Leader of the Turkmen people and the UN Secretary-General proceeded from the air harbor of the Turkmen capital to the "Oguzkent" hotel.

The main item on the program of the distinguished guest's stay in Turkmenistan will be the official meeting between the head of the largest international structure and President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, scheduled for tomorrow morning. The agenda for negotiations in both narrow and expanded formats will include a wide range of issues of bilateral and international cooperation of mutual interest.

A meeting is also planned between UN Secretary-General António Guterres and the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov. An exchange of views on the prospects of cooperation between Turkmenistan and the UN, as well as on current regional and global issues, is expected.

During his visit to Ashgabat, António Guterres will visit the UN Regional Center for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia and the UN Representative Office in our country. The head of the esteemed international organization will also participate in the celebrations marking the opening of the "Mirap" building, which will be handed over to the UN Representation in Turkmenistan.

This visit of the UN Secretary-General and the upcoming negotiations are intended to be an important step towards expanding the long-standing productive bilateral dialogue, enriching it with new, content that meets common interests. The agreements reached following the meetings will serve as a powerful impetus for the implementation of promising joint projects and programs in the context of the goals and objectives of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.