On September 19, a session of the Halk Maslahaty was held in Ashgabat at the "Maslahat Köşgi" Palace under the chairmanship of the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov. The event was dedicated to the 34th anniversary of the country’s independence.

The forum was attended by members of the Cabinet of Ministers, deputies of the Mejlis, heads of ministries and departments, representatives of public organizations, hyakims of the velayats and cities, esteemed elders, and representatives of the youth.

In his address at the meeting, Hero-Arkadag emphasized that Turkmenistan has achieved significant progress over the years of independence, strengthening the foundations of sovereignty and permanent neutrality. The National Leader particularly stressed that the foundation of state-building lies in the commitment to the spiritual and cultural values of the people, which inspire society toward new accomplishments.

The National Leader of the Turkmen people and Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, paid special attention to the upbringing of the younger generation in the spirit of patriotism, diligence, and respect for national traditions. He noted that the youth is the main driving force of the future and must be comprehensively educated, healthy, and devoted to the Motherland. Arkadag emphasized the need to develop science and education, and to strengthen the role of the family and society in the moral and spiritual development of the younger generation.

Separately, the Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty touched upon the issues of preserving and promoting the rich cultural heritage of the Turkmen people. He highlighted the successful cooperation with UNESCO, through which ancient Merv, Kunyaurgench, and the Parthian Fortresses of Nisa have been included in the World Heritage List, along with nine elements of intangible cultural heritage, including carpet weaving and the traditions of Akhal-Teke horse breeding.

In his speech, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov noted that the country’s economy continues to grow at a dynamic pace: in 2025, GDP growth reached 6.3%. Large-scale efforts are underway to modernize industry, develop agriculture, strengthen the transport and logistics system, and expand the country’s export potential.

Key areas highlighted include: the creation of new etraps (districts) in the country’s regions, the harvesting of over 1.4 million tons of wheat and the preparation for delivering 1.25 million tons of cotton, the construction of new medical and educational complexes in Ashgabat and velayat centers, the implementation of Turkmenistan’s climate strategy and projects aimed at reducing methane emissions, and the development of the digital economy and entrepreneurship.

On the international agenda, it was emphasized that Turkmenistan is confidently strengthening its status as a neutral state. This year, the Third UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries was held in the Avaza National Tourist Zone, during which the Programme of Action for 2024–2034 was adopted. The National Leader specifically noted that in December, Turkmenistan, together with the international community, will celebrate the 30th anniversary of its neutrality — an important factor in strengthening peace, stability, and international cooperation.

Following the meeting, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov signed a number of resolutions, including the establishment of new etrap administrations and the construction of a modern urea production plant in the Balkan Velayat with a capacity of 1 million 155 thousand tons per year.

The session concluded with a solemn ceremony honoring respected elders and mothers with state awards. This served as a vivid testament to the respect for the contributions of the older generation to the strengthening of spiritual and family values, the upbringing of youth, and the development of society.

The Halk Maslahaty reaffirmed its role as a key socio-political institution that unites the people around the strategic initiatives of the President and the National Leader, aimed at further strengthening Turkmenistan’s independence, neutrality, and prosperity.

Source: International Information Center of Turkmenistan