The opening ceremony of the third United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries was held in the Avaza national tourist zone, the State News Agency of Turkmenistan reports.

The event was attended by the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, Secretary-General of the United Nations António Guterres, President of the 79th session of the UN General Assembly Philemon Young, heads and members of delegations of the countries participating in the forum, leaders and representatives of international structures, as well as representatives of the media.

The ceremony was opened by the National Leader of the Turkmen People, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, who warmly welcomed the high-ranking guests of the forum. In his welcoming address, the National Leader of the Turkmen People noted the historical significance of holding the forum on the coast of the Caspian Sea during the International Year of Peace and Trust, declared at the initiative of Turkmenistan. Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov expressed gratitude to the conference participants for their trust and respect for Turkmenistan, as well as for their joint work in ensuring peace, security and sustainable development.

During the ceremony, UN Secretary-General António Guterres and the President of the 79th session of the UN General Assembly Philemon Young also made speeches. In their speeches, they particularly emphasized the importance of holding this forum in the International Year of Peace and Trust, which marks the 30th anniversary of Turkmenistan's permanent neutrality and the 80th anniversary of the UN. Foreign guests noted the high organizational level of the international conference.

The opening ceremony continued with speeches by the heads of state participating in the forum. The third UN conference on landlocked developing countries includes high-level thematic round tables, forums, meetings and other specialized events.