Turkmenistan continues to promote initiatives aimed at developing regional and global cooperation. One of these is a proposal to declare 2028 the ‘Year of International Law.’ The initiative was announced by President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov at the 80th session of the United Nations. This was reported by the state news agency TDH.

As noted by the Head of State, the country's foreign policy steps are consistent with the UN Charter and its founding documents. Turkmenistan advocates strengthening the central role of the organisation in international affairs and developing the international legal framework.

In preparation for the ‘Year of International Law,’ the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, together with relevant agencies, has developed a plan of events for 2026. It includes scientific and practical conferences, educational programmes for young people, the preparation of training materials, and informational work in the media. Particular attention is paid to revealing the potential of Turkmenistan's permanent neutrality as an instrument for strengthening peace and cooperation.

Issues related to the implementation of the initiative were discussed at a meeting of the Interdepartmental Commission on Ensuring the Fulfilment of Turkmenistan's International Obligations in the Field of Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law. Participants also considered the preparation of new national action plans on human rights and gender equality for 2026-2030.

In 2026, Turkmenistan will carry out a number of international missions. The country will chair the Commonwealth of Independent States and the Consultative Meeting of Heads of State ‘Central Asia and Azerbaijan’.

As part of its CIS chairmanship, special attention will be paid to regional security, economic cooperation, and the development of transport and energy projects. Turkmenistan has also proposed declaring 2027 the ‘Year of CIS Transport Connectivity’.

Humanitarian cooperation remains a priority, including cooperation in the fields of education, science, culture, tourism, sports and youth exchanges.

Particular importance is attached to regional dialogue in Central Asia. In 2026, Turkmenistan will chair a Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia and Azerbaijan. The initiative to include Azerbaijan in this format was proposed by the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov.

Transport, energy, trade and industrial cooperation are among the key areas of regional cooperation. Issues of rational use of water resources, the environmental agenda and the development of humanitarian ties are also being discussed.

According to the country's leadership, the promotion of such initiatives contributes to the strengthening of international dialogue, the expansion of economic partnership and the development of multilateral cooperation.