On August 4, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov met with UN Secretary-General António Guterres, who arrived in Turkmenistan to participate in the Third UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDC), which will be held on August 5-8 in the Avaza National Tourist Zone on the Turkmen coast of the Caspian Sea, TDH reports.

Serdar Berdimuhamedov expressed confidence that the forum, held under the motto "Promoting Progress through Partnerships", will help implement the new Programme of Action for Landlocked Countries adopted in December 2024.

Antonio Guterres emphasized that Turkmenistan, which has accumulated solid experience in peacekeeping, is a key strategic partner of the UN in maintaining global peace, security and sustainable development. Having highly appreciated Turkmenistan's efforts to organize this conference, the UN Secretary-General thanked the head of the Turkmen state for the opportunities provided.

During the meeting, the significance of 2025 in the history of bilateral partnership was noted: this year marks 80 years since the establishment of the UN and 30 years since Turkmenistan acquired the legal status of neutrality. At the same time, emphasis was placed on the declaration of 2025 as the "International Year of Peace and Trust" at the initiative of Turkmenistan in accordance with the Resolution of the UN General Assembly.

- These days, the Third UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries is being held on the Turkmen coast of the Caspian Sea. The organization of a high-level forum in Turkmenistan demonstrates the special importance attached to expanding our cooperation, - the President said.

As was emphasized, the need to increase international cooperation on the challenges faced by LLDCs is dictated by the times. Turkmenistan supports significant intensification of multilateral partnership and intraregional dialogue in this area. In this regard, the interlocutors expressed confidence that such a significant event, which is held once every ten years with the participation of governments, international structures, the private sector, academic societies, and civil society, will be an important step in achieving sustainable development on the planet, establishing connectivity and creating transport corridors.

The UN Secretary General emphasized the importance of international initiatives and the multifaceted activities of Turkmenistan, which seeks to effectively use its peacekeeping potential.

At the end of the meeting, Serdar Berdimuhamedov and Antonio Guterres expressed confidence that the strategic dialogue between Turkmenistan and the UN will consistently strengthen peace and sustainable development in the region and on the planet.