Far-sighted innovative policy of President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov based on the principles of positive neutrality and aimed at the development of wide international cooperation stipulated growing authority of Turkmen state in the world arena.
This is brightly indicated by dynamic character of the dialog with the United Nations and high trust of the UN that sees Turkmenistan as reliable and responsible partner.It was confirmed by unanimous adoption of the Resolution of Strengthening the links between all modes of transport to achieve the goals of sustainable development proposed by Turkmen leader at the 74th meeting of the 72nd session of the UN General Assembly.
In this document, the United Nations welcomed the efforts of the Government of Turkmenistan on the first UN Global Sustainable Transport Conference and the adoption of the Ashgabat declaration at this forum.
In addition, the Resolution takes notes of the importance of the Ashgabat Declaration adopted during high-level International conference on the role of transit and transport corridors in provision of international cooperation, stability and sustainable development, which was held on 3 4 September 2014 in Turkmen capital with the European Economic commission, Economic and Social Commission for Asia and Pacific and International Road Transport Union.
Our country makes priceless contribution to the expansion of international cooperation in transport and communication sector, which is the most important segment of the world economy and the main mechanism of its development.
Establishment of ramified and safe international transport infrastructure is one of integral factors of global sustainable development that dictates the necessity of discussion of this subject in the UN format as separate long-term direction of the activity of this largest organization.
Turkmenistan having big potential in this field is the initiator of number of large international and regional projects.Their implementation will allow bringing economic and trade cooperation between Central Asian countries and neighbouring regions to modern level, giving strong impulse to long-term interregional relations, making foundation of the structure of new geo-economics space uniting Central Asia, Caspian, Black and Baltic Sea basin, Middle East, South and South East Asia.
Going back to the Resolution on Role of Transport and Transit Corridors in provision of international cooperation for the sustainable development adopted on December 19, 2014 by the United Nations General Assembly sponsored by 66 UN members, it is worth mentioning that its provisions reflect key elements of 2014 Ashgabat Declaration stipulating the formation of integrated approach to the development of transport and transit communications.
On December 22, 2015, the UN Genera; Assembly adopted the Resolution of establishment of transport and transit corridors presented by Turkmenistan and sponsored by 85 countries.It was the second document on international transport range of issues initiated by our state and unanimously adopted by the UN.
This event was forestalled by active work carried out by Turkmenistan on all levels and in many directions.Taking active position in consolidation of common efforts in this direction including in the UN and other competent international organizations’ format, neutral Turkmenistan initiates and successfully implements large infrastructural projects together with foreign partners making considerable input to the formation of combined transport infrastructure in regional and global scale.
President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov highlighted several times that addressing the UN with the initiative of general dialog on transport range of issues, Turkmenistan follows the fact that it is directly related to the achievement of the Goals of Sustainable Development today.
Formation of modern transport architecture oriented to the solution of the key objectives of the United Nations in XXI century, to the service to millions of people around the world, to protection and improvement of the resources of the planet are the targets of international strategy in this sphere of human activity.
Development of international transport is to stimulate the growth of economies of the states and regions via their integration to transport and transit routes, to support the elimination of disproportions in the level of development between them and the quality of life of the people living in these countries.
Formation of modern transport and transit infrastructure, involvement of new territories are not only the increase of the volumes of trade turnovers, reduction of delivery time and cutting the cost of the investments and other obvious advantages but also the creation of new work places and construction of social facilities.
Provision of ecological safety of transport routes by introduction of new technologies and management solutions are unspoken priorities in this sphere.Steadfast integration to the world transport system and further expansion of the infrastructure on the main lines, connecting routes and intersections in East - West and North South directions are among the key objective in the nearest future.
Formation of important transport corridors in these directions are significant in the context of the restoration of the Great Silk Road and in connection of two world economic poles of Eurasia.
This project also stipulates the opportunity of connection to international transport system in south and east directions with entry to China, India, Pakistan, Asian Pacific countries.The idea of the formation of broader format of cooperation is the example of innovative thinking in geoeconomics and the vision of the perspectives of its development.
Specific measures undertaken recently by Turkmenistan in rapid formation of modern transport and transit logistic infrastructure added strong impulse not only to national economy but also to regional trends of the development.
Occupying exclusively important geographic location and confidently consolidating its positions of important transit and transport regional and continental centre, our country is trying to realize existing considerable potential in this sphere for universal sake.
Turkmenistan stands for closer cooperation with specialized UN structures first with European Economic Committee and Economic and Social Commission on Asian Pacific.Such constructive partnership meets the logic of modern development of Central Asia, which is the region having colossal natural resources and favourable location on the intersection of the main routes of Eurasia.
Today, Turkmenistan is the key link in the formation of new regional and interregional transport and communication infrastructure, which is indicated by long-term national projects developed and successfully implemented under the leadership of President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and aimed at the improvement and comprehensive modernization of equipment and facilities base of transport sphere.
Understanding the necessity of comprehensive development of this sector that is turning into one of the main factors of the growth of the world economy, our country pays great attention to the establishment of modern infrastructure in this sphere initiating and steadily implementing large projects of regional and transcontinental significance together with interested partners both with certain states and competent international structures.
The launch of Kazakhstan Turkmenistan Iran railway, which is able to transport 10 12 million tons of cargo per year, can be brought as example.The Turkmenistan Afghanistan Tajikistan railway is to become another important component in transport communications between Asian countries.
Undoubtedly, the opportunities for efficient realization of transit and transport potential of both countries and for their active integration to the system of international economic relations will be created after putting into operation of Turkmenistan Afghanistan Tajikistan railway.
The construction of Serhetabat Turgundy railway will give good dynamics to the partnership relations.Great importance is attached to the development of maritime fleet of Turkmenistan, particularly to Turkmenbashy International Seaport, which construction has started in August 2013.
The port built on Caspian cost would be important link in formation of modern system of maritime transportation bringing trade and economic cooperation between Asia and Europe to new level.
In 2017, Turkmenistan organized number of events related to the expansion of efficient cooperation in transport sphere.Having offered the UN to express the interest in perspectives of the development of transport and communication infrastructure in Central Asia and in Caspian basin, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov highlights the willingness of Turkmenistan to close cooperation with the UN structures.
As a result, new UN General Assembly Resolution of Strengthening the links between all modes of transport to achieve the goals of sustainable development sponsored by 74 states was developed and adopted.
Summing up what was said above, it can be said that the vision of Central Asia and Caspian basin as strong link of strategic stability, long-term economic partnership for European and Asian countries, energy, transport and transit hub of continental importance lays in the basis of international cooperation policy of Turkmenistan.