Neutrality Day is one of Turkmenistan's most significant national holidays, and it commemorates the country's official recognition as a permanently neutral state by the United Nations in 1995.

When is Neutrality Day?

Neutrality Day is observed annually on December 12.

The following is the list of Neutrality Day from 2020 to 2049.

The History of Neutrality Day?

After gaining independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, Turkmenistan sought to establish its own foreign policy identity.

Under its first president, Saparmurat Niyazov, Turkmenistan declared its intention to pursue a foreign policy of "permanent neutrality". This policy aimed to position Turkmenistan as a peaceful, avoiding involvement in military alliances, or foreign military bases on its soil.

On December 12, 1995, the United Nations General Assembly adopted Resolution 50/80, officially recognizing Turkmenistan's status of permanent neutrality.

The resolution was unanimously supported by all UN member states, making Turkmenistan the first and only country at the time to receive such formal recognition. This made December 12 a symbolically important date, celebrated annually as Neutrality Day.