On October 15, the President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov departed on a working visit to the Republic of Azerbaijan to participate in the regular Summit of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia (CICA).

Upon arriving in Baku, the presidential aircraft landed at Heydar Aliyev International Airport, where the state flags of both countries were raised on flagpoles.

Here, the President Serdar Berdimuhamedov was warmly greeted by officials of the Republic of Azerbaijan and members of the official delegation of Turkmenistan.

At the Baku Congress Center, the venue for the regular Summit of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia, the Head of State was cordially welcomed by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev.

Following the joint photo ceremony of the heads of delegations, the VII Summit of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia took place.

At the beginning of his speech, the President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov expressed sincere gratitude to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev for the high level of organization of the current meeting, traditional hospitality, and the creation of favorable conditions for constructive work. As Arkadagly Hero-Serdar emphasized, Turkmenistan considers the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia an important international platform designed to contribute to the strengthening of peace, security, mutual trust, and sustainable development on our continent.

Commending the outcomes of the Republic of Azerbaijan's chairmanship in the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia, the President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov specifically noted that Azerbaijan, as chair of this format and firmly committed to its goals and objectives, demonstrated determination and consistency in implementing measures for interaction and the consolidation of trust, while actively fostering the expansion of international cooperation.

– The current Summit is taking place during a period of profound geopolitical and geoeconomic transformations, – said the Head of Turkmenistan. – The contemporary international environment and new security challenges require coordinated action from states to strengthen peace, security, and predictability in international relations. Strict adherence to the norms of international law and the Charter of the United Nations is of fundamental importance in this regard.

In this context, special importance is attached to strengthening the international legal framework necessary for the practical implementation of joint efforts aimed at ensuring international stability. As is well known, Turkmenistan has put forward initiatives to declare 2028 as the Year of International Law and to announce 2027–2037 as the UN Decade of Dialogue and Preventive Diplomacy.

In this regard, the President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov expressed his conviction that building up the capacity of international law and preventive diplomacy can also be utilized within the framework of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia, primarily in the interest of conflict prevention, trust building, and finding mutually acceptable solutions.

Turkmenistan counts on the support of these initiatives from the international community. Furthermore, the Head of State spoke in favor of making broader use of the potential of the UN Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia, headquartered in Ashgabat.

As Arkadagly Hero-Serdar went on to note, alongside political conditions, key factors for safe and sustainable global development include strengthening economic connectivity, expanding mutually beneficial trade, and establishing reliable transport and logistics chains. In the reality of a changing global economy, the diversification of transport routes, the development of multimodal transport, and the removal of infrastructural and procedural obstacles hindering regional cooperation are acquiring special significance.

In continuation of the UN General Assembly Resolution on the Decade of Sustainable Transport for 2026–2035, adopted at Turkmenistan's proposal, our country consistently advances initiatives aimed at developing international transport and logistics partnerships. Among them are the creation of a Global Atlas of Sustainable Transport Connectivity and the formation of transcontinental transport routes providing Central and South Asia with access to European markets via the Caspian Sea.

Overall, Turkmenistan advocates for a more comprehensive utilization of the potential of East–West and North–South transport corridors, as well as expanding international cooperation in logistics and simplifying trade procedures.

In this context, President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov suggested developing a dialogue on transport issues at the ministerial level within the framework of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia. Such a format would enable the exchange of national experience, the identification of existing obstacles, and the elaboration of practical recommendations in the interests of all concerned states.

Continuing his address, Arkadagly Hero-Serdar emphasized the growing significance of the digital dimension in international cooperation. Artificial intelligence and other advanced technologies open up broad opportunities for economic development, enhancing the efficiency of public administration, and refining diplomatic tools.

– At the same time, their application requires a responsible approach grounded in international law, trust, and consideration for the interests of all states, – noted President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov. – In this regard, our country initiates the development of an International Code on the Peaceful Use of Artificial Intelligence in International Relations and Diplomacy.

Climate change and environmental security remain serious contemporary challenges, the Head of State stressed, adding that Turkmenistan consistently advocates for strengthening international cooperation in these fields. «We attach particular importance to joining the efforts of the states in our format to ensure the rational use of water resources, implement modern environmental technologies, and increase the resilience of national economies under conditions of global climate change», noted the President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov.

To make a practical contribution to the development of international environmental cooperation, Turkmenistan proposes establishing the Ashgabat Climate Dialogue — a multilateral platform for exchanging experience and aligning approaches to climate change adaptation, combating desertification and drought, rational water management, and promoting green solutions. Speaking on this, the Head of Turkmenistan invited interested states and international partners to support this initiative, noting that the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia possesses significant potential for implementing joint projects and disseminating effective solutions for sustainable environmental development.

Highlighting the humanitarian dimension as an integral part of cooperation within this format, the President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov emphasized that historical ties, rich cultural heritage, and centuries-old traditions of good-neighborliness among CICA member states provide a solid foundation for strengthening mutual understanding and trust.

Turkmenistan fully supports expanding academic exchanges and active partnership within the youth platforms of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia. In this context, Arkadagly Hero-Serdar expressed conviction in the need to fundamentally develop youth diplomacy as an effective tool for engaging the younger generation in restoring a culture of peaceful dialogue. A practical step in this direction could be the establishment of a Network of Young Ambassadors of Trust from among the active, talented, and progressive youth of our countries, tasked with promoting the ideals of peace, tolerance, and constructive intercultural dialogue.

Concluding his speech, the President Serdar Berdimuhamedov emphasized that Turkmenistan attaches great importance to the activities of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia and consistently supports its goals and principles. As an observer state, Turkmenistan stands ready to continue contributing to the promotion of constructive initiatives and proposals aimed at expanding multilateral cooperation in Asia.

Thanking the President Serdar Berdimuhamedov for his meaningful speech, the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev noted the significance of the proposals and initiatives outlined by the Head of Turkmenistan.

During the regular Summit of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia, issues were also touched upon regarding the strengthening of confidence-building measures, adaptation to climate change, alignment of transport and logistics strategies in Asia, development of international transport corridors, food security, environmental sustainability, and the acceleration of digital transformations.

Thus, within the framework of the Summit of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia, Turkmenistan presented initiatives aimed at diversifying transport and logistics cooperation, addressing environmental issues—including environmental protection and effective water usage—and strengthening fruitful humanitarian ties. The proposals voiced by the President Serdar Berdimuhamedov served as yet another confirmation of Turkmenistan's commitment to fully support uniting the efforts of the global community to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and ensure universal well-being.

State News Agency of Turkmenistan