REGIONAL LEADERS CONVENE IN ASHGABAT FOR SECURITY FORUM

ASHGABAT – Heads of state and government from across Central Asia and the wider region arrived in Ashgabat this week to commence the International Peace and Security Forum. The high-level gathering, scheduled for 11 December 2025 and 12 December 2025, marks the 30th anniversary of the United Nations General Assembly resolution that formally recognised the permanent neutrality of Turkmenistan.

Hosted by President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, the forum serves as a focal point for the “International Year of Peace and Trust”, a designation applied to 2025 by the United Nations. Delegations from the Russian Federation, Türkiye, the Islamic Republic of Iran and neighbouring Central Asian states are in attendance to discuss regional security, economic cooperation and diplomatic stability.

High-Level Diplomatic Convergence

According to Hürriyet Daily News, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan of Türkiye is visiting Turkmenistan from 11 December 2025 to 12 December 2025 to address the forum and hold bilateral talks. The Turkish Communications Directorate indicated that these meetings will involve host leaders as well as other participating heads of state. Economic relations remain a primary focus; trade between Türkiye and Turkmenistan has reportedly seen significant growth, exceeding 2,2$ billion in the previous year. Data from the Turkish Trade Ministry highlights a continued upward trajectory, with a 26,5 per cent increase recorded in the first half of 2025 alone.

Simultaneously, the Kremlin confirmed that President Vladimir Putin of the Russian Federation is in Ashgabat to participate in the forum dedicated to the International Year of Peace and Trust. As reported by Caspian Post, the visit underscores the strategic partnership between the Russian Federation and Turkmenistan, particularly in the sectors of energy cooperation, transport and trade. The two states continue to coordinate within the Commonwealth of Independent States (hereinafter: CIS) and the “Caspian Five” formats, maintaining close collaboration on regional stability and security dialogue.

President Masoud Pezeshkian of the Islamic Republic of Iran is also confirmed to attend, joining leaders from Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. The Times of Central Asia notes that this assembly of leaders highlights the diplomatic significance Turkmenistan attaches to its neutral status, which it has utilised to maintain dialogue with diverse international actors over the past three decades.

Institutional Commemoration Of Neutrality

The forum coincides with the “Day of Neutrality”, a national holiday in Turkmenistan celebrated annually on 12 December. To facilitate the observances, the Government of Turkmenistan has declared a three-day public holiday from 11 December 2025 to 13 December 2025. According to Caspian Post, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov signed the decree to ensure citizens could participate in the commemorative events and enjoy proper rest during the celebrations. Authorities also announced traffic restrictions in Ashgabat from 8 December to 12 December to accommodate festive events.

The status of permanent neutrality was formally granted by the United Nations on 12 December 1995 via a General Assembly resolution. The Times of Central Asia details that the resolution was adopted without a vote during the 90th plenary meeting, following a campaign by Turkmenistan’s first president, Saparmurat Niyazov, for “positive” neutrality status.

To physically commemorate this status, the state erected the 75-metre-high Arch of Neutrality in Ashgabat in 1998. Originally located in the city centre, the monument — crowned by a gold statue of Niyazov — was relocated to the outskirts of the capital in 2010 and has undergone renovations ahead of the 30th anniversary unveiling.

In preparation for the current anniversary, the Chairman of the People’s Council, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, and President Serdar Berdimuhamedov are hosting the events. The President has also released a publication titled Turkmenistan’s Neutrality: A Bright Path to Peace and Trust to articulate the state’s foreign policy vision just ahead of the commemoration.

Policy Implications And Historical Context

Since 1995, the state has integrated the principle of neutrality into its constitution and military doctrine. The Times of Central Asia reports that the 1996 military doctrine explicitly states that Turkmenistan will not enter into military alliances, will refrain from using force in international relations and will not interfere in the internal affairs of other nations.

This framework has historically allowed Ashgabat to function as a neutral ground for diplomatic engagement. For instance, during the late 1990s, the government maintained contact with both the Taliban and their opponents in Afghanistan, hosting peace talks in 1999. While not officially recognising the Taliban government at the time, Ashgabat allowed the opening of a representative office, citing its principle of non-interference.

Domestically, the neutrality celebration is also marked by an annual amnesty for prisoners. For the 30th anniversary, 231 convicted citizens who acknowledged their guilt were granted freedom by the state.

Concluding Outlook

The presence of diverse regional leadership in Ashgabat indicates that Turkmenistan aims to solidify its status as a diplomatic conduit for Central Asia. By utilising the International Peace and Security Forum as a platform, the state seeks to maintain balanced relations with major powers such as the Russian Federation, Türkiye and the Islamic Republic of Iran. This approach suggests a continued reliance on the policy of permanent neutrality to secure economic and political stability amidst shifting regional dynamics.

Structurally, Turkmenistan’s approach does hold the potential for amplified societal development. While it retains the right to stay neutral in military terms, securing survival and saving valuable resources, economic cooperation can be extended, adding to advancements. To accelerate growth, Turkmenistan can and should intensify the use of this approach. One of the main challenges, however, is to avoid economic dependencies that could arise from unwise trade constellations.