The Turkmen delegation, consisting of representatives from the Ministries of Education and Foreign Affairs, as well as students from the Turkmen National Institute of World Languages named after Dovletmammet Azadi, the International University of Humanities and Development, the Turkmenistan Engineering and Technology University named after Oguz Khan, and the Institute of International Relations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan, will take part in the Second Forum of the Youth of the States of Central Asia “Dialogue – Guarantee of Peace.” The forum will be held at the UN Headquarters in New York, USA, at the initiative of our country. It is important to note that the event will take place in a high-level session format within the framework of the ECOSOC Youth Forum, marking the International Year of Peace and Trust, as well as the tenth anniversary of the adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 2250 on youth, peace, and security.

The forum will bring together representative delegations, including those from Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, as well as UN experts, international donors, and partners, and will focus on strengthening peace and security, exploring and developing new ways to activate multilateral cooperation in the Central Asian region, and prioritizing youth interaction, supporting young leaders and their initiatives. Furthermore, during the visit, the Turkmen side will outline its position regarding the formation of a common vision for future reforms aimed at intensifying ties between the Central Asian states. It is noteworthy that on the platform, which became Turkmenistan’s initiative in 2023, the voices of those directly targeted by the forum – the young people of the region – will be heard as they present their ambitious projects.

The focus of the practical aspects of institutionalizing the Dialogue will be centered on issues related to the comprehensive development and summarization of measures under Resolution 2250 on youth, peace, and security, strengthening the platform for youth interaction among the Central Asian countries, fostering partnerships and the exchange of best practices, expanding youth engagement in the region, creating a mechanism and logo for the Dialogue, and developing joint projects. The participants of the meeting intend to discuss the role of education in fostering a culture of peace and tolerance, strengthening trust and cooperation among the youth of the region, social innovations and initiatives in the context of sustainable development, as well as the upcoming Youth Forum, which is scheduled to take place during the Third UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDC3) in the National Tourist Zone of Awaza in August of this year.

It is expected that as a result of the forum, the network of youth cooperation in Central Asia will be expanded, new projects aimed at strengthening peace and security will be developed, proposals for the institutionalization of the Dialogue of Central Asian countries will be prepared, including a rotational mechanism for holding meetings in the countries of the region, the position of youth regarding decision-making at the regional and international levels will be strengthened, and common approaches and proposals for organizing and content of the Youth Forum within the framework of LLDC3 will be developed.

Since its establishment in 2023, the Dialogue of the Youth of the Central Asian States has become an effective tool for unlocking the potential of international cooperation. The platform highlights aspects of peacebuilding, aligning with the UN Secretariat’s position on the importance of forming and promoting a New Agenda. This format emphasizes the role of inclusive dialogue in fostering a culture of peace to support active efforts aimed at establishing peace as a foundation for achieving sustainable development goals. Furthermore, participants of the platform note that the policy of neutrality, proclaimed and pursued by UN member states, plays a crucial role in the development of peaceful dialogue, trust-based, friendly, and mutually beneficial relations between the countries of the world, and contributes to strengthening international peace and security at both the regional and global levels. In 2023, which was held in Turkmenistan under the slogan “Happy Youth with Arkadag Serdar,” the forum was recognized as a timely and necessary step in the face of contemporary geopolitical challenges. It was emphasized that the ideas and commitments discussed would lead to real actions and become a valuable contribution to achieving sustainable peace.

Now, in anticipation of the upcoming forum, Turkmenistan confidently puts forward its initiatives, which could make a significant contribution to the development of the youth movement in the region. In this context, it is important to understand that Turkmenistan views youth not as a cohort of recipients of benefits, but as the driving force of society, the core of the social structure. Instilling the values of positive neutrality and peace-loving has contributed to the formation of an entire generation, ready to move forward boldly, overcoming global challenges.

In this regard, it is important to emphasize that all these measures in Turkmenistan have been undertaken in accordance with international law, particularly Resolution 2250 on youth, peace, and security.

This foundational document acknowledges that today’s generation of youth is the largest ever in history and that, in many cases, young people make up the majority of the population in countries affected by armed conflict. This fact raises particular concern within the international community. Therefore, it is the youth who should be the guiding force that drives not only progress but also transformation in the field of peacebuilding. In this context, the document recognizes the important and constructive contribution of youth to efforts aimed at maintaining and promoting peace and security, as well as affirming the crucial role that youth can play in conflict prevention and resolution, and their role as one of the key factors in ensuring the sustainability, inclusiveness, and success of peacebuilding and peacekeeping efforts.

Furthermore, it is emphasized that the current demographic situation in the world allows youth to be characterized as an important and unique dividend, one that will contribute to economic prosperity in the future, provided that inclusive policies are in place. Moreover, the document highlights that youth can play an even more significant role by setting a positive example in preventing and combating various negative phenomena that may create an environment conducive to terrorism, fuel conflicts, hinder socio-economic development, and contribute to the creation of an atmosphere of insecurity at both regional and international levels.

It is worth noting that the catalyst for the formation of such a Dialogue has been Turkmenistan’s positive neutrality. In the modern era, Turkmen neutrality is not just a geopolitical stance but a philosophy that has become, for nearly three decades, an important factor of stability and trust in Central Asia. By refraining from participation in military alliances and political blocs, Turkmenistan has managed to create an atmosphere where any disagreements between the countries of the region do not escalate into acute conflicts. This environment not only contributes to political stability but also fosters the development of a wide range of interactions, especially among the youth, who eagerly seek opportunities for cultural, educational, and scientific exchange.

In the process of globalization and the rapid development of information technologies, the younger generation in Central Asia is increasingly turning to ideas of cooperation, mutual understanding, and experience exchange. Turkmenistan’s neutrality, along with the principles that underlie initiatives such as the Dialogue of Youth of Central Asian Countries, has become an important bridge between the countries of the region. In this environment, young people can freely express their ideas, discuss pressing issues, and seek solutions to common challenges, without the fear that political interests will overshadow their aspirations for development. All of this is part of the broader consolidation and strategy of the countries in the region towards political, economic, and cultural integration.

This consolidation of efforts among the countries of Central Asia is reflected in their desire to jointly address pressing issues, pool resources, and exchange experiences, which makes the region more resilient and competitive. The countries of the region are increasingly creating joint projects in the fields of education, culture, science, and economics, which not only contributes to the development of national capabilities but also fosters the creation of a common space where each participant contributes to the collective good.

This integration process is further strengthened by constructive interaction and mutual support, which is particularly evident in the context of Turkmenistan’s neutral stance. Undoubtedly, Turkmenistan’s positive permanent neutrality fosters an atmosphere of trust and openness, where states can shift their focus towards cooperation and collective development, creating a solid foundation for the future prosperity of the entire region.

The shared future is being built already: ahead lies the Youth Forum, which will take place as part of the Third UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDC3) in the National Tourist Zone of Awaza. Within the framework of the Second Youth Forum of Central Asian Countries, “Dialogue - Guarantee of Peace,” the issue of holding the next forum, now in the context of landlocked countries, will also become an important topic for upcoming discussions. Turkmenistan is actively preparing for the upcoming event: preparations are underway at full speed, with volunteers and translators being trained, and relevant platforms being prepared.

The Second Youth Forum “Dialogue - Guarantee of Peace” will serve as a platform for exchanging practical experience and developing joint solutions to pressing regional issues. The discussions and outcomes of the event will demonstrate that constructive dialogue between representatives of Central Asian countries can contribute to strengthening trust and fostering cooperation in various fields.

The outcomes of the forum will also reaffirm the importance of establishing and maintaining contacts to address the region’s social, economic, and political challenges. Participants will outline further steps for working within the established connections, which will be a key condition for long-term peace and stability in Central Asia.