Meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan Held

On September 25, the President of Turkmenistan held a meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers and the State Security Council. A number of issues concerning the country’s public affairs were considered.

Opening the meeting, the Head of State noted: “As always, we regularly carry out humanitarian acts such as pardoning citizens convicted of crimes who have repented of their actions and sincerely acknowledged their wrongdoing, releasing them from further punishment.”

In this regard, the floor was given to B. Gundogdyyev, Secretary of the State Security Council and Chairman of the Commission under the President of Turkmenistan for Preparing Proposals on Citizenship and Pardons. He reported on the commission’s work to pardon convicted citizens on the occasion of the 35th anniversary of Turkmenistan’s Independence.

After hearing the report, the Head of State said that, following the country’s noble tradition, he was signing a Decree pardoning 1,054 convicted citizens on the occasion of Independence Day.

The President instructed B. Gundogdyyev, Secretary of the State Security Council and Minister of Defense, together with the heads of law enforcement agencies, to take all necessary measures to release all pardoned individuals from detention so that they could soon return home to their families.

The Head of State wished those pardoned to work diligently, sincerely serve their Homeland, and enjoy the fruits of honest labor.

The floor was then given to Chairperson of the Mejlis D. Gulmanova. It was noted that the regular meeting of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan, held under the chairmanship of the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty Hero-Arkadag, and with the participation of the President ahead of the 35th anniversary of the country’s sacred Independence, had become a major socio-political event.

The meeting was said to have demonstrated the people’s commitment to national traditions of popular governance formed over centuries, while strengthening pride in the Homeland, boundless love for it, and firm confidence in a bright future.

National democratic traditions were widely manifested at the Halk Maslahaty meeting, where important issues concerning the interests of the people and the country were discussed and decisions and resolutions of historic significance were adopted.

It was noted that the speeches delivered by the President and Hero-Arkadag, rich in meaning and wisdom, served as fundamental strategic guidelines for the country’s further comprehensive development and were received enthusiastically by the participants and the public.

The signing by the Head of State at the Halk Maslahaty meeting of the Law of Turkmenistan “On the State Protection of Akhal-Teke Horses in Turkmenistan,” aimed at preserving the gene pool of Akhal-Teke horses, increasing their population, and further promoting their fame internationally, was described as an important addition to the country’s legislative framework and a significant measure for preserving and promoting Akhal-Teke horses worldwide.

The head of the national parliament also reported that, in accordance with the President’s instructions concerning the 35th anniversary of Independence, state awards had been ceremonially presented to citizens of the country.

President Serdar Berdimuhamedov noted that the tasks arising from the Halk Maslahaty meeting are aimed at the further development of the country and improving the living standards of the people, stressing the need to continue the work in this area.

Deputy Chairperson of the Cabinet of Ministers B. Seyidova then reported on preparations to hold celebrations and events marking the 35th anniversary of Turkmenistan’s Independence at a high organizational level.

It was noted that during the year held under the motto “Independent, Permanently Neutral Turkmenistan — the Homeland of Swift Horses and Fulfilled Aspirations,” the 35th anniversary of the country’s sacred Independence is being widely celebrated.

The anniversary was described as opening a new page in the history of a country confidently advancing along the path of creation, prosperity, and development and inspiring the people toward new achievements.

Exhibitions dedicated to the anniversary are being held in museums, various events are taking place in libraries and other cultural institutions, and film screenings are being organized in cinemas and cinema-and-concert centers. Theaters are presenting productions devoted to the heroism, happiness, and patriotism of the Turkmen people.

Special television programs and video materials are being prepared and broadcast on national and foreign partner television channels. Work is also underway to widely cover the anniversary, the achievements made during the years of Independence, including accomplishments at the international level, in the mass media.

Preparations are being made at a high level for concerts by the country’s cultural and artistic performers.

After hearing the report, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov emphasized the importance of continuing efforts to organize Independence Day celebrations at a high level and gave the Deputy Prime Minister relevant instructions.

Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers and Minister of Foreign Affairs R. Meredov then reported on the draft Resolution “On Granting Residence Permits in Turkmenistan.”

It was noted that under the leadership of the President, the domestic and foreign policy of independent and permanently neutral Turkmenistan, based on humanitarian principles, is being successfully implemented.

One of the main areas of this policy is the protection of the rights, freedoms, and legitimate interests of all people living in the country and the creation of favorable conditions for their active participation in society.

In accordance with national legislation and generally recognized norms of international law, systematic work is being carried out to ensure the rights of foreign citizens and stateless persons residing in Turkmenistan and to regulate their legal status.

Particular importance is attached to cooperation with the United Nations and its specialized structures, especially the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.

Within this cooperation, measures are being taken to prevent and reduce statelessness, ensure legal protection for individuals, and share Turkmenistan’s accumulated experience in this field internationally.

It was noted that, guided by Hero-Arkadag’s humanitarian principle “The State is for the Human Being!”, extensive work has been carried out in Turkmenistan to protect the rights and legitimate interests of foreign citizens and stateless persons.

As a result, 5,294 foreign citizens and stateless persons have so far been granted residence permits in Turkmenistan.

To implement the President’s state policy based on humanitarian principles, authorized state bodies regularly review individual applications submitted by foreign citizens wishing to reside permanently in Turkmenistan.

Measures are being taken, in particular, to regulate the legal status of foreign citizens who live with guardians who are citizens of Turkmenistan, are married to citizens of the country, or were registered in Turkmenistan before visa regimes were introduced with member states of the Commonwealth of Independent States.

In this connection, the relevant work was carried out to grant residence permits to 146 people whose individual applications had been registered.

Those proposed for residence permits are citizens of seven countries and representatives of 16 nationalities. Of them, 99 are women and 47 are men.

The Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers and Minister of Foreign Affairs submitted the relevant draft document to the President for consideration.

After hearing the report, the Head of State noted that Turkmenistan is carrying out effective work to protect human rights and freedoms. The President signed the Resolution “On Granting Residence Permits in Turkmenistan” and instructed the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister to take the necessary measures.

Continuing his report, Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers and Minister of Foreign Affairs R. Meredov spoke about the political significance of the documents adopted at the Halk Maslahaty meeting.

On behalf of the participants, he first sincerely congratulated the President on the successful holding of the regular Halk Maslahaty meeting in the capital on September 23.

It was noted that holding Halk Maslahaty meetings each year during the celebration of Independence Day has become a noble tradition. These meetings are considered important for discussing major matters of public life, identifying upcoming tasks, and determining the key directions of the country’s future development.

It was emphasized that the broadly representative Halk Maslahaty meeting held under the chairmanship of the National Leader of the Turkmen people and Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty Hero-Arkadag was one of the year’s most important socio-political events.

The speeches delivered by the President and Hero-Arkadag at the meeting focused on Turkmenistan’s major achievements and accomplishments. Along with presenting the principal results of the country’s development, they clearly outlined important tasks for the coming period.

The speeches also set out in detail the tasks of systematically strengthening the political and legal foundations of the state, consistently increasing its economic potential, reinforcing peace, solidarity, and unity within Turkmen society, and further improving the people’s living conditions.

Decisions aimed at implementing these important tasks were also adopted during the meeting. The President signed a number of major state documents, each covering particularly important areas of work being carried out in the country.

One of these documents is the “National Strategy for the Industrial Development of Turkmenistan for 2030–2045.” Its adoption was described as a clear indication that the country’s large-scale industrialization policy is entering a new stage.

It was noted that for many years Hero-Arkadag attached particular importance to the country’s industrial development, putting forward fundamental initiatives and implementing significant projects in this field.

In particular, at the nationwide forum — the Council of Elders of Turkmenistan — held on October 23, 2012, the National Leader, then serving as Head of State, put forward an important initiative to transform Turkmenistan into a modern industrially developed state and create an industrialized society.

Since then, extensive work has been carried out in this area. Modern manufacturing enterprises have been built in the oil and gas, chemical, machine-building, textile, and other sectors, while major industrial complexes have been established.

New capacities covering complete production cycles have been launched, and the foundation of the processing industry has been strengthened.

Building on these large-scale initiatives and accumulated experience, the President continues the work initiated by Hero-Arkadag under new conditions.

For this purpose, key tasks for 2030–2045 have been defined to guide a new stage of industrial development, and the corresponding National Strategy has been approved. The document sets long-term goals for further increasing production capacity, modernizing industry, and improving the competitiveness of the economy.

The “State Program on Youth Policy in Turkmenistan until 2031,” signed during the Halk Maslahaty meeting, was also described as being of major importance.

It was noted that since the earliest days of Independence, care for the younger generation has been one of the priorities of state policy.

Particular emphasis was placed on the importance Hero-Arkadag has attached to the formation and consistent development of youth policy in the country. Today, this state policy is being enriched with new content through the initiatives of the President.

The Head of State pays particular attention to further strengthening the role of young people in public and social life and creating opportunities for them to fully realize their creative and intellectual potential.

In line with this objective, the President took part in the regular congress of the Magtymguly Youth Organization of Turkmenistan on September 1, 2022, where he delivered a policy speech outlining future directions for youth policy.

As a clear expression of state attention to the younger generation, 2023 was declared in Turkmenistan the “Year of Happy Youth with Arkadag Serdar.”

At the same time, in order to develop the international dimension of state youth policy, the “Strategy for International Cooperation of the Youth of Turkmenistan for 2023–2030” was approved.

Particular attention at the regular Halk Maslahaty meeting was also given to ensuring more active participation by young people in the large-scale reforms being implemented in the country and in public life.

The new State Program signed by the President at the meeting contains specific tasks and new initiatives through 2031 aimed at further improving Turkmenistan’s youth policy.

Another document signed at the Halk Maslahaty meeting was the Law of Turkmenistan “On the State Protection of Akhal-Teke Horses in Turkmenistan.”

On the basis of initiatives put forward by Hero-Arkadag, preserving the pure breed of Akhal-Teke horses as an integral part of the national heritage of the Turkmen people, developing horse breeding and equestrian sports, and improving national horse-training traditions have become important areas of state policy.

The President continues this work at a new level. Comprehensive measures are being implemented at the state level to study the history of Akhal-Teke horses, conduct genetic research, increase their population, and promote their fame around the world.

In 2026, held under the motto “Independent, Permanently Neutral Turkmenistan — the Homeland of Swift Horses and Fulfilled Aspirations,” large-scale national and international events aimed at promoting Akhal-Teke horses and the national art of horse breeding are being successfully organized.

The adoption of the Law “On the State Protection of Akhal-Teke Horses in Turkmenistan” at the Halk Maslahaty meeting created the necessary legal conditions for reliable state protection of national horse-breeding traditions, the Akhal-Teke gene pool, and the extensive experience accumulated in this field, as well as for passing them on to future generations.

The national concept “International Law and Turkmenistan’s Neutrality” was also signed at the Halk Maslahaty meeting. The document is closely connected with the basic principles of the country’s foreign policy.

Turkmenistan attaches particular importance to developing multifaceted cooperation with the United Nations and remaining committed to generally recognized norms of international law.

As another important result of many years of work in this area, it was noted that on July 24, 2026, the United Nations General Assembly adopted, at the initiative of Turkmenistan, the resolution “2028 — International Year of Law.”

The document is aimed at strengthening the principles of international law, increasing states’ adherence to international legal norms, and further reinforcing universal peace, security, and cooperation.

Taking the opportunity, the Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers and Minister of Foreign Affairs, on behalf of the meeting participants, once again sincerely congratulated the President and Hero-Arkadag on the 35th anniversary of Turkmenistan’s sacred Independence and wished them good health, longevity, and continued success in their work of national importance for the benefit of the country and its people.

President Serdar Berdimuhamedov emphasized the importance of the documents adopted at the Halk Maslahaty meeting for the development of the country’s domestic and foreign policy.

In this regard, the Head of State instructed officials to continue efforts aimed at further enhancing Turkmenistan’s international standing.

Addressing the participants, the President noted that events dedicated to Independence Day are currently being held and instructed officials to keep their organized conduct under control.

Continuing his remarks, the Head of State noted that the 35th anniversary of the country’s Independence was approaching.

“The past 35 years have been glorious years for our sovereign Homeland and our beloved people. We will continue our work to further strengthen the foundations of our state and consistently enhance its international prestige,” the President said.

Taking the opportunity, the Head of State sincerely congratulated the participants and the people of Turkmenistan on the 35th anniversary of Independence.

Concluding the meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers and the State Security Council, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov wished the participants good health, family well-being, and great success in their work for the prosperity of the country.