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# 									Joint Statement on the United States-Turkmenistan Annual Bilateral Consultations							

Media Note

Office of the Spokesperson

April 16, 2024

The text of the following statement was released by the Governments of the United States of America and Turkmenistan on the occasion of the 2024 United States-Turkmenistan Annual Bilateral Consultations (ABCs) in Ashgabat.

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On April 14, 2024, the United States and Turkmenistan marked a fruitful tenth round of the United States-Turkmenistan Annual Bilateral Consultations in Ashgabat. Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet Ministers and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan Rashid Meredov and United States Department of State Deputy Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asian Affairs John Mark Pommersheim led the delegations.

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan Meredov and Deputy Assistant Secretary Pommersheim underscored their commitment to advancing U.S.-Turkmenistan relations,including through security cooperation, educational and cultural partnerships and exchanges, human rights, increased trade and investment opportunities, and joint efforts to fight climate change. Following the successes of the inaugural C5+1 Presidential Summit in September 2023, the United States and Turkmenistan affirmed their commitment to the C5+1 regional diplomatic platform.

**Security Cooperation**

The United States and Turkmenistan discussed combatting regional and global security threats, including transnational terrorism. Deputy Assistant Secretary Pommersheim closed the dialogue by noting appreciation of Turkmenistan’s foreign policy principle of positive neutrality, and underscoring unwavering support for its sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity.

**Human Rights**

The United States lauded Turkmenistan’s cooperation with the International Labor Organization to address forced labor and its granting access to the ILO to independently observe the cotton harvest. Turkmenistan emphasized plans to adopt a roadmap of activities with the ILO for 2024-2025 and consider recommendations by the ILO.

The United States and Turkmenistan agreed to continue to discuss other human rights issues through regular meetings of the Human Dimension Working Group in Ashgabat.

**Educational and Cultural Cooperation**

The United States and Turkmenistan celebrated the advancement of their educational and cultural cooperation and reaffirmed their commitment to the future of these programs which benefit Turkmen and Americans alike. Participants discussed efforts tobolster and advance people-to-people ties and cultural programs.

In particular, both sides acknowledged the importance of the Memorandum of Understanding on Education signed between both governments on April 24, 2023, in strengthening bilateral cooperation and expanding educational exchange and English language programs.

**Environment, Economy, and Investment**

The United States and Turkmenistan underscored their continued commitment to fight climate change, especially by reducing methane emissions in support of the Global Methane Pledge. Furthermore, Turkmenistan announced it is currently drafting new legislation intended to reduce methane emissions. The United States expressed appreciation for the strong cooperation received from the Government of Turkmenistan for a joint technical assessment of methane reduction opportunities and looks forward to continuing these efforts. The United States Export-Import Bank (EXIM) and the State Bank for Foreign Economic Affairs of Turkmenistan agreed to continue to work together to identify projects of joint economic interest, including reducing methane and other greenhouse gases.

In support of the New York Declaration, adopted at the inaugural C5+1 Summit, the United States and Turkmenistan committed to improving the business climate and expanding ties between companies, including through the B5+1 platform, to increase bilateral trade, investment opportunities, and regional connectivity.

Turkmenistan and the United States expressed their intention to hold the next round of Annual Bilateral Consultations in Washington in 2025. Both the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan Meredov and Deputy Assistant Secretary Pommersheim noted that they look forward to working jointly on overcoming challenges and celebrating bilateral successes in the coming year.

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