Placing sport at the heart of international dialogue
December 12, 2025 marked the 30th anniversary of the UN’s recognition of Turkmenistan’s permanent neutrality. This anniversary gave rise to an International Forum held in the Turkmen capital Ashgabat under the auspices of the UN, whose member states had unanimously agreed to make 2025 the year of peace and trust.
This Central Asian country, independent since 1991, has chosen neutrality with a view to strengthening stability in a region with complex dynamics.
Invited to discuss the role of sport as a strategic tool for peace and trust between nations, the President and Founder of Peace and Sport and Olympic medalist Mr. Joël Bouzou, representing H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco on this occasion, reaffirmed his conviction: “Sport is a neutral and universal language that acts as a powerful vehicle for bringing people together. The mutual trust and respect promoted by sport has a major impact in fostering peace and combating discrimination and obscurantism.”
The “C5,” an alliance of Central Asian countries comprising Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan, has just ended three decades of territorial conflicts.
High-level international mobilization
The event brought together representatives from 102 countries, including 15 heads of state and government, as well as representatives from international organizations, led by the Director-General of the United Nations Office at Geneva (UN Geneva), Her Excellency Ms. Tatiana Valovaya. The Ashgabat Peace and Trust Forum helped to strengthen dialogue in favor of peace and stability in Central Asia by bringing together agencies, institutions, and individuals committed to peace.
The Principality of Monaco and Central Asia
This visit is part of efforts to strengthen ties between the Principality of Monaco and Central Asia: 2025 marks 10 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations with Turkmenistan, and between now and 2030, other anniversaries will celebrate Monaco’s diplomatic relations with each of the other C5 countries.
Having just joined the C5, which thus becomes the C5+1, Azerbaijan, whose capital Baku will take over from Monaco as World Capital of Sport in 2026, will celebrate 20 years of diplomatic relations with the Principality of Monaco in 2027.
