Oriented on making people closer

The visit of National Leader of the Turkmen People, Chairman of the Khalk Maslakhaty, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, to Vienna was a landmark event, confirming Turkmenistan's status as a strategic architect of regional and global security. The extensive agenda of the meetings on April 9 in the Austrian capital covered a wide range of issues, from classical neutral diplomacy to high technology and the "peaceful atom."

Neutrality as a Common Platform for Dialogue

The meeting with Austrian Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen took place in an atmosphere of deep mutual respect. Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov emphasized that the neutral status of both countries is not simply a legal status, but a shared sense of creative values. Austria was among the first to support the Group of Friends of Neutrality, established on Ashgabat's initiative.

Politically, the parties reinforced their commitment to mutual support at the UN, including Turkmenistan's candidacy for the Security Council for 2031–2032. The economic agenda highlighted green energy, AI, and digitalization, with Austrian experience in urban infrastructure and the banking sector of particular interest to Turkmenistan. A proposal was made to hold the next meeting of the Joint Commission in Ashgabat in June.

Industrial Breakthrough and Smart Solutions

The dialogue with UNIDO Director-General Gerd Müller focused on industrial transition. Turkmenistan and UNIDO already have a history of success: the town of Arkadag has been recognized as the intellectual center of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. The parties are now entering a new phase: they plan to develop a Roadmap for 2026–2030 for a green industrial transition.

An important topic was the creation of a medical cluster in Arkadag, which will become a benchmark for the integration of advanced technologies in healthcare. Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov also expressed Ashgabat's readiness to become a UN regional center for climate technology, which will transform Central Asia into a platform for the implementation of innovative eco-solutions.

Global Agenda and the Interests of Landlocked Countries

At a meeting with UN Deputy Secretary-General Rabab Fatima, Ashgabat's continued efforts to support landlocked developing countries were emphasized. The outcomes of the landmark 2025 Avaza Conference continue to serve as the foundation for the development of new transport and logistics models, with Turkmenistan playing the role of a "golden link."

Peaceful Atoms in the Service of Medicine and Development

Talks with IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi opened up new prospects for cooperation in nuclear medicine. The Agency is already helping Turkmenistan implement the latest diagnostic methods, and this work will be expanded within the Country Programming Framework for 2026–2030.

The National Leader of the Turkmen People put forward an initiative to hold a high-level regional forum in Ashgabat dedicated to the anniversary of the Central Asian Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone Treaty. For countries in the region, the use of "peaceful atoms" could become a powerful development tool, and Turkmenistan is ready to coordinate this process.

Photo: vcdnp.org