Under the leadership of the esteemed President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov, the development of physical culture and sports, as well as the expansion of international sports cooperation of the country has become one of the priorities of the state policy of Turkmenistan.
As a result, today Turkmenistan is a country with a developed modern sports infrastructure and dynamically developing sports movement. It was successful experience in conducting the world-class competitions and stands as an active member of the international sports relations. An example of this is the Resolution “United Nations Friendship Games”, initiated by Turkmenistan and unanimously supported by the UN member states, was adopted on September 6 of this year at the 78th session of the UN General Assembly. The co-authorship of 87 states has become another international success of the foreign policy of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov.
These major sporting events have become an excellent opportunity to demonstrate the whole world that Turkmenistan intends to strengthen international cooperation, friendship and mutual understanding, and encourage the development of the mass sports movement. In this important matter, our country combines high humanistic principles, which, along with the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals, is directly related to the achievement of the goals of the Olympic movement.
Turkmenistan’s initiatives to develop mass physical culture movement, the introduction of a healthy lifestyle in society, and the development of sports diplomacy are widely supported by the international community. One of the evidences of this is the unanimous adoption of the Resolution “Integration of mass cycling into public transport systems to achieve sustainable development” at the 76th session of the UN General Assembly on the proposal of Turkmenistan, as well as the announcement of Ashgabat as “The City of New Sports Opportunities of the Commonwealth” at a meeting of the CIS Council of Heads of Government. Along with this, it should be noted that Turkmenistan was elected as a member of the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee for Physical Culture and Sport for 2023-2027.
It was emphasized that Turkmenistan, which has the legal status of neutrality, actively cooperates with specialized UN agencies and other international organizations in the areas of public health protection, popularization of healthy lifestyle principles, and the effective use of the potential of sports diplomacy to unite people in the interests of strengthening
peace and prosperity.
Currently, in Turkmenistan, sport has become one of the priority vectors of social development. Following the slogan “Turkmenistan is a country of health and enthusiasm”, more and more people of different ages are joining regular physical culture activities and sports.
Turkmenistan and Romania also have established good cooperation in terms of holding joint sport events. An example of this is the holding mass bicycle rides, football and table tennis competitions, in which participate heads and representatives of Embassies accredited in Bucharest, as well as Turkmen and Romanian students studying in Romanian universities.
In conclusion, sports diplomacy represents a transformative approach to resolving international conflicts and promoting peace and understanding. By harnessing the power of sports, nations can transcend geopolitical divides, build bridges, and foster a sense of solidarity and cooperation on the global stage. As we navigate the complexities of international relations, let us recognize the immense potential of sports diplomacy to build a more peaceful, inclusive, and harmonious world for future generations.
