“The Role and Significance of the Policy of Neutrality in Maintaining and
Strengthening International Peace, Security and Sustainable Development” – this is
the name of the new UN resolution adopted at the 75th session of the General
Assembly of the Organization.
The resolution notes that the national policy of neutrality pursued by some states
can promote the strengthening of international peace and security in the respective
regions and at the global level and can play an important role in the development
of peaceful, friendly and mutually beneficial relations between countries.
In this regard, it is recommended that all member states, organizations of the UN
system and other international, regional and sub-regional structures use the
potential of neutral states and mediation in the peaceful settlement of disputes,
conflict prevention and resolution.
The resolution also welcomes the decision of the government of Turkmenistan to
host an International Conference on peace, security and development, dedicated to
the International Day of Neutrality – December 12.
The UN General Assembly notes with appreciation the initiative of the government
of Turkmenistan to create a Group of Friends of Neutrality in the interests of
peace, security and sustainable development and suggests that educational and
other events aimed at raising public awareness of the role and significance of
neutrality should be held to celebrate the International Day of Neutrality.
A similar document was adopted at the regular session of the Council of Foreign
Ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, which underlines the
growing relevance of the neutrality policy. Thus, the OIC adopted the resolution
“The Role and Significance of the Policy of Neutrality in Maintaining and
Strengthening International Peace, Security and Sustainable Development in the
region of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and throughout the world”.
In particular, the text of the resolution notes that the UN Regional Center for
Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia, established in Ashgabat in December
2007, plays an important role in assisting the states of the region by promoting
closer cooperation, identifying and eliminating potential sources of tension before
possible escalation, and responding to internal and transnational challenges and
threats to peace and security.
The document emphasized the contribution of neutral Turkmenistan in the inter-
Tajik talks under UN auspices (Ashgabat, 1995 and 1996), as well as in the
conflict settlement in Afghanistan by holding inter-Afghan talks and the

International Forum on Afghanistan in 1997 and offers Turkmenistan to further
inclusive dialogue for reconciliation under Afghan leadership.
The OIC decided to raise awareness in the region of the Organization of Islamic
Cooperation about the advantages of neutral policy, preventive diplomacy and
mediation as cost-effective tools for conflict prevention and peaceful resolution. It
also called on member states to participate in the high-level International
Conference “The Policy of Neutrality and its Significance in Ensuring
International Peace, Security and Sustainable Development”, which will be held in
Ashgabat on December 12, 2020.

Embassy of Turkmenistan
Islamabad