ASHGABAT DECLARATION OF THE INTER-PARLIAMENTARY FORUM OF THE STATES OF CENTRAL ASIAN AND THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION

Representing the parliaments of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, the Russian Federation, the Republic of Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and the Republic of Uzbekistan;

Welcoming the initiative of His Excellency Mr. Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, Chairman of the Halk Maslakhaty Milli Gengesh of Turkmenistan to hold the first Inter-Parliamentary Forum in the history of the states of Central Asia and the Russian Federation;

Committed to upholding the Charter of the United Nations and the universally recognized principles and norms of international law;

Noting the role of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) as a multilateral forum for dialogue and cooperation between the parliaments of the countries of the world on topical issues of our time;

Bearing in mind the Strategy of the Inter-Parliamentary Union for 2022-2026, especially its strategic goals, in particular the creation of effective and empowered parliaments, the promotion of inclusive and representative parliaments, the catalyzing of collective parliamentary action;

Recalling UN General Assembly Resolution 74/304 of September 9, 2020 “Interaction between the United Nations, national parliaments and the Inter-Parliamentary Union”, which recommends that the Inter-Parliamentary Union continue to be actively involved in helping to increase the contribution of parliaments at the national, regional and global levels , including through multi-stakeholder partnerships, in support of accelerated implementation and achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030;

Attaching importance to the growing role of inter-parliamentary relations to enhance the principles of equality and pluralism in consolidating efforts to address the global challenges of our time both in the region and in the world;

Recognizing the unique role of national parliaments and parliamentarians in using the tools of parliamentary diplomacy as an important tool to promote constructive inter-parliamentary and international dialogue in order to overcome the COVID-19 pandemic, ensure public health and restore the global economy in the post-pandemic period;

Recognizing also the role of parliaments, with their key legislative, monitoring, budgetary and representative functions, in ensuring the implementation of the climate change goals contained in the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, the Paris Agreement, and the climate change-related components of the Sustainable Development Goals;

Noting the importance of the Global Initiative “Dialogue is a Guarantee of Peace”, aimed at establishing a culture of peace, dialogue and trust in international relations, which was supported in the Outcome Document of the Peace and Trust Forum on December 11, 2021 in Ashgabat;

Emphasizing the need to develop active inter-parliamentary relations between the states of Central Asia and the Russian Federation in order to consolidate inter-regional and global efforts to strengthen peace and stability and ensure sustainable development;

1. We confirm that one of the priorities of the inter-parliamentary partnership is the development of effective ways of cooperation for the most complete realization of the potential of the legislative bodies of the states of Central Asia and the Russian Federation for interaction in the following areas:

– “Legislative body of state power: modern experience and cooperation”;

- "Medical diplomacy: exchange of experience - a reliable way forward";

– “Regional cooperation for the sake of ecological well-being and sustainable development”.

2. We support and will provide all possible assistance in enhancing the measures taken in recent years by the Heads of State of Central Asia and the Russian Federation to develop parliamentarism, democratic progress and parliamentary diplomacy;

3. We are in favor of expanding ties and contacts through inter-parliamentary commissions and / or Friendship Groups of the states of Central Asia and the Russian Federation to further strengthen centuries-old ties, good neighborliness, mutual trust and partnership;

4. Reaffirm our commitments to jointly implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development;

5. We note the readiness for close cooperation and exchange of experience on advanced innovations in parliamentary activities in the process of lawmaking;

6. We consider it important to continue legislative activities to improve the quality of medical services and promote medical diplomacy in addressing such issues of our time as the prevention and treatment of infectious and non-communicable diseases, tobacco control, minimizing factors that negatively affect human health;

7. We express our support to the World Health Organization, in particular in its work on research, rapid response and pandemic preparedness through