On May 23, 2024, the international competition "International Relations: A Culture of Peaceful Dialogue" was launched at the Institute of International Relations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan. The competition was organized jointly by the Ministry of Education of Turkmenistan and the Institute of International Relations. More than 250 participants from higher educational institutions in the countries of Central Asia, the Caspian region, the Republic of Türkiye, the People's Republic of China, and Turkmenistan registered for the competition. Specifically, about 40 masters and students from 11 prestigious higher educational institutions from 9 foreign countries, as well as students from 22 universities of Turkmenistan, took part in the competition.

During the individual stage of the competition, participants won 21 gold, 36 silver, and 46 bronze medals. Students of the National School of Turkmen Diplomacy won 3 gold and 8 silver medals. At the group stage, 3 teams won gold medals, 5 teams won silver medals, and 8 teams won bronze medals. Notably, two teams composed of students from the Institute of International Relations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan won gold medals at the group stage.

The awarding of the winners and the closing ceremony created a unique festive atmosphere. Organizers presented diplomas, medals, and valuable gifts to students and masters who won the individual and team stages of the international competition. The winners expressed sincere gratitude to the National Leader of the Turkmen people, the esteemed President, for creating excellent opportunities for the development of international youth cooperation. The ceremony participants were inspired by the winners and the music performed by the artists, which expressed the principles of friendship, goodness, and peace between peoples in different languages.

This international competition was held in our country for the first time to study strategic issues of international relations, deepen students' knowledge in solving tactical problems, reveal their research abilities, and promote the principles of global peace. It also aimed to establish close cooperative relationships with foreign experts and increase the importance of scientific and educational ties. Undoubtedly, this competition will contribute to the inculcation of the principles of cooperation in peaceful efforts to strengthen trust and mutual dialogue, in line with the Resolution "2025 - Year of International Peace and Trust" initiated by Turkmenistan at the 78th session of the General Assembly of the United Nations.

compiled by Muhammetnur GARABAYEV,
student of the Institute of International Relations
of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan.