The events of the past week serve as clear evidence of the effectiveness of the constructive strategy implemented by President Serdar Berdimuhamedov aimed at maintaining political and economic stability, strengthening the culture of peace and trust in the regional and global dimensions, ensuring the prosperous life of the people, and forming a reliable basis for the prosperity of the Motherland with a long-term perspective.

The results of the activities of the sectors of the national economy for the nine months of this year were summed up at an expanded meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers, held by the President of Turkmenistan on October 10. The progress of the implementation of the Presidential and other programs of socio-economic development of the country was also discussed.

As noted, during the period under review, practical steps were taken to ensure the sustainable development of all segments of the economy and regions, as evidenced by the dynamic GDP growth rate.

In general, the volume of manufactured products increased by 10.9 percent compared to the same period in 2021. The indicator of retail trade turnover in comparison with the corresponding period of the last year increased by 10.5 percent, and foreign trade turnover - by 40.7 percent.

80.3 percent of the state budget was allocated to finance the social sphere.

Wages in large and medium-sized enterprises of the country increased by 10.4 percent compared to the same period in 2021. Wages, pensions, state benefits and student scholarships have been fully funded.

Within the framework of the “Program of the President of Turkmenistan for socio-economic development of the country for 2022-2028”, during the period under review, construction and installation work was carried out at 89 facilities out of 370.

Currently, together with the ministries and sectoral departments, the hyakimliks of the velayats and the city of Ashgabat, the draft State Budget for the next year, 2023, the main directions of the socio-economic development of Turkmenistan and the Investment Program are being prepared.

The head of Turkmenistan stressed that the results of the work of the sectors of the national economy for the period under review clearly testify to the successful development of an independent Fatherland, despite the difficulties in the world economy.

As noted, GDP increased by 6.2 percent, foreign trade turnover increased by 40 percent compared to the same period last year. More than 20 billion manats of capital investments have been disbursed from all sources of financing, which is 13 percent more compared to the same period in 2021.

Focusing on the long-term tasks, the head of state stressed that it is necessary to work conscientiously to end the current year with positive indicators, take measures to achieve good results in all sectors and ensure sustainable GDP growth. It was also instructed to hold a meeting on the State Budget for the coming year and consider all its articles.

On October 14th, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov arrived in the Republic of Kazakhstan to participate in a regular meeting of the Council of CIS Heads of State and the Central Asia-Russia Summit, as well as to make a state visit to a friendly fraternal country.

In his speech at the meeting of the Council of the CIS Heads of State, the President of Turkmenistan noted that the interaction within the Commonwealth of Independent States, despite the objective global trends and difficulties, remains stable and dynamic. This nature of relations is dictated by a common understanding of the necessity and prospects for their further development, a sober vision of the new realities of the world and regional agenda, which require an adequate coordinated response.

President Serdar Berdimuhamedov outlined transport, the fuel and energy complex, communications and communications, industrial cooperation, trade, innovations and technologies among the priorities of the CIS economic cooperation.

The head of state expressed confidence that the current potential of the CIS allows us to speak in substantive terms about the implementation of significant projects in these promising sectors, and the territories of our countries to become the main routes of economic cooperation on the continent, connecting Europe and Asia.

In this regard, the head of Turkmenistan proposed to consider the prospects for using the port infrastructure on the Caspian Sea in the interests of the CIS, including the capacity of the International Seaport of Turkmenbashi, as well as the growing merchant fleet of Turkmenistan.

At the same time, in order to determine clear prospects for the further development of trade and economic relations within the Commonwealth itself, a proposal was made to organize a multidisciplinary economic exhibition-fair of the CIS countries as a platform for establishing subsequent substantive partnerships, boosting trade, restarting and cooperative ties in various industries.

Touching upon the topic of the foreign policy agenda, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov recalled that at the recent Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia in the city of Cholpon-Ata, Turkmenistan put forward a number of security initiatives that are equally relevant for the entire Commonwealth. We are talking about overt and covert threats that manifest themselves in different forms and under different circumstances.

In his speech, the head of state also noted that it was time to give the CIS sports interaction a truly broad and systemic character. In this regard, a proposal was put forward to create a Coordinating Committee for holding international sports games under the auspices of the CIS Council for Physical Culture and Sports and organizing regular seasonal “Friendship Games”, open for participation not only for athletes from the CIS, but also from other countries who show interest in them. Readiness was also expressed, taking into account the existing experience, the availability of good infrastructure, to hold the first "Friendship Games" in Turkmenistan.

On the same day, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov took part in the first Central Asia-Russia Summit.

It is important to emphasize that the basis of today's current meeting of the heads of state of Turkmenistan, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan was laid at the first Inter-Parliamentary Forum of the countries of Central Asia and the Russian Federation, initiated by the Chairman of the Halk Maslakhaty Milli Gengesh of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and held in Ashgabat at a high level in May of the current year.

Speaking at the Summit, the head of Turkmenistan noted that recent trends in world geopolitics are far from being positive. The foundations of international law are being eroded, which affects the effectiveness of the work of the UN and other supporting institutions. The meaning and content of interstate relations is changing. The geography of conflicts, threats of terrorism, extremism and radicalism is expanding.

As emphasized, under these conditions, close, effective interaction between the states of Central Asia and Russia is of decisive importance. In this context, the head of state noted the importance of preventive measures, highlighting four key areas: counteracting attempts to destabilize the situation in our states; providing guarantees of protection against threats of terrorism, extremism, cyber and biological danger; combating the artificial introduction of false meanings and moral guidelines into the public consciousness; prevention of potential negative consequences of the general complication of the situation in the world.

In order to intensify joint activities in the above areas, the President of Turkmenistan stated the expediency of optimizing the mode of six-party consultations between the ministries of foreign affairs. Stressing that the same applies to the activities of special services and other structures, Head of State Serdar Berdimuhamedov proposed instructing ministries and heads of departments to develop algorithms and topics for consultations based on the above tasks.

The President of Turkmenistan in his speech focused on the issues of the Afghan settlement, inter-parliamentary, economic, cultural, educational and sports cooperation. Initiatives were also announced on the creation of a permanent business format Central Asia + Russia and the organization next year of the Festival of Culture and Arts of the Peoples of Central Asia and Russia.

The head of state paid special attention to the formation of a transport and transit system of continental importance in the region, confirming that Turkmenistan, as a country through which the shortest route to the Persian Gulf, to the ports of Iran and from there to India, is ready to start intensifying the work of the transport corridor “North South”.

Turkmenistan takes an active and proactive stance in the expansion of constructive partnership in the CIS space, multifaceted cooperation in the regional and interregional format, which meets the goals of common well-being. For outstanding services and valuable contribution to the development of the CICA process, the President of Turkmenistan was awarded the first class commemorative medal “30th Anniversary of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia”.

On October 15, within the framework of the state visit of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov to the Republic of Kazakhstan, bilateral negotiations at the highest level were held in Astana, which became an important step towards the further development of interstate relations based on a solid foundation of friendship, brotherhood and good neighborliness, the principles of equal and mutually beneficial cooperation.

During the talks, the heads of state discussed a wide range of issues of bilateral partnership, as well as exchanged views on topical aspects of the regional and international agenda of mutual interest.

Particular attention was paid to the development of trade and economic ties, increasing the volume of bilateral trade, as well as deepening partnerships in the fields of energy, transport, industrial cooperation, agro-industrial complex, interaction in the Caspian Sea, cooperation on environmental issues, including the Aral Sea problems.

The importance of contacts between the two countries in the cultural and humanitarian field was also confirmed. In this regard, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov proposed to consider the organization of the Days of Culture of Turkmenistan in the Republic of Kazakhstan in 2023, and also noted the expediency of erecting monuments to outstanding poets and thinkers of the Turkmen and Kazakh peoples - Magtymguly Fragi and Abay Kunanbaev, respectively, in Astana and Ashgabat.

As a result of the negotiations, a solid package of bilateral documents was signed: Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation between the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Turkmenistan and the Foreign Trade Chamber of the Republic of Kazakhstan; Memorandum of Cooperation between the Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs of Turkmenistan and the National Chamber of Entrepreneurs of the Republic of Kazakhstan “Atameken”; Memorandum of Understanding between the State Concern “Türkmenhimiýa” and the Ministry of Industry and Infrastructure Development of the Republic of Kazakhstan on cooperation in the chemical industry; Memorandum on the development of transport and transit cooperation between the Agency for Transport and Communications under the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan and the Ministry of Industry and Infrastructure Development of the Republic of Kazakhstan; Memorandum of Understanding between the Agency for Transport and Communications under the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan and the Ministry of Digital Development, Innovation and Aerospace Industry of the Republic of Kazakhstan on the exploration and use of outer space for peaceful purposes; Memorandum of cooperation in the field of plant quarantine between the Ministry of Agriculture and Environmental Protection of Turkmenistan and the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Kazakhstan; Memorandum of Cooperation in the field of tourism between the Ministry of Culture of Turkmenistan and the Ministry of Culture and Sports of the Republic of Kazakhstan; Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Energy of Turkmenistan and the Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Kazakhstan; Memorandum of Cooperation between the Ministry of Finance and Economy of Turkmenistan and the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Kazakhstan; Comprehensive program of cooperation between the Government of Turkmenistan and the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan for 2022-2024; Memorandum of Understanding between the Center for Strategic Studies of the Institute of International Relations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan and the Institute of Foreign Policy Studies under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

The legal framework of bilateral partnership was also supplemented by the Cooperation Agreement between the Turkmen National Institute of World Languages named after Dovletmammed Azadi (Ashgabat, Turkmenistan) and the Kazakh University of International Relations and World Languages named after Abylai Khan and the Memorandum of Intent in the field of combating crime between the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Turkmenistan and the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan, signed during the current visit. 

To the applause of those present, the heads of Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan put their signatures under the Joint Statement.

During the meeting, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov invited President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to visit Turkmenistan at any convenient time.

Topical issues of state life were discussed at a regular meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers, which was held by the President of Turkmenistan on October 16.

Among the topics discussed were preparations for the autumn-winter heating season, the state of affairs in the agro-industrial complex, ensuring food abundance, improving the legal framework, modernizing the oil refining industry, and implementing large-scale national programs in the transport and communications sector.

Reports were also given about the organization of international videoconferencing competitions in higher educational institutions of the country and the preparation of events in honor of the Turkmen Alabai Day.

The head of state was informed about the ongoing work to prepare for the official visit to Turkmenistan of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, scheduled for October 20-21.

The next high-level talks are called upon to give a new impetus to the further development of mutually beneficial Turkmen-Uzbek cooperation, which is of a strategic nature and based on historical ties and common spiritual and cultural values of the two fraternal peoples. In the modern era, these good traditions that have developed over the centuries have received a worthy continuation, constantly enriching themselves in their content.

As was reported at the meeting, at present, on behalf of the head of state, work is underway to create a Turkmen-Uzbek border trade zone, and a Turkmen-Uzbek friendship festival is scheduled for November 16-17 in the administrative center of the Dashoguz velayat.

Among other events of the past week, there was a working trip of the Chairman of the Halk Maslakhaty Milli Gengesh, Honorary Elder of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov to Ahal Velayat in order to get acquainted with the progress of construction work at the facilities of the new administrative center of the region, preparations for the autumn mass planting of trees.

Hero-Arkadag also held a working meeting with the participation of relevant managers on ensuring the high quality of facilities under construction and their timely commissioning. There was a detailed report on the work of private construction companies that use best practices and innovative methods.

It was also reported that representatives of the Guinness Book of Records are expected to arrive, who will hold a seminar on agriculture for 500 listeners. In this regard, the Chairman of the Halk Maslakhaty Milli Gengesha emphasized the expediency of participation in this seminar of leading industry experts, agricultural scientists and students of specialized universities.

Having familiarized himself with the projects of objects under construction and planned for construction on the territory of the center, as well as drawings of their location, Hero-Arkadag drew attention to the need for the active use of innovative technologies and a digital system. As noted, it is important to attach particular importance to the environmental aspect.

Chairman of the Halk Maslakhaty Milli Gengesh said that the avenues of the new city will be named after great personalities who left an unfading mark on national culture, art, literature and history.

In addition, types of domes of the mosque planned to be built in the center, samples of modern elevators in multi-storey buildings, as well as projects and drawings related to the monument to the horse Akhan and landscaping of the surrounding area were presented to Arkadag for consideration. Drawings of various types of bus stops were demonstrated, information was given on the features of the equipment of medical institutions.

The international exhibition “Healthcare, education and sports in the Epoch of the Revival of a new era of powerful state” held in Ashgabat and a scientific conference within its framework was timed to coincide with the Day of Healthcare and Medical Industry Workers widely celebrated in our country.

In accordance with the Decree and on behalf of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, the Turkmen State Medical University named after Myrat Garryev hosted a solemn ceremony of presenting state awards and honorary titles to distinguished workers of the healthcare system and the medical industry, who made a significant contribution to the protection of public health, to the implementation of medical practice of effective methods of prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases.

Within the framework of the exhibition, the presentation of the 14th volume of the fundamental work of the Academician of the Academy of Sciences of Turkmenistan, Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov “Medicinal Plants of Turkmenistan”, which was published on the eve of the professional holiday of the country's health workers, was held.

As part of the activities to include Ashgabat in the UNESCO Creative Cities Network in the nomination “Design”, the Ashgabat forum “Design-2022” and the international exhibition “Design without borders” were held in the Turkmen capital.

The show was attended by dozens of exhibitors, including representatives of well-known foreign companies specializing in architecture and construction.

In the speeches made at the forum, it was noted that the development of Ashgabat, the improvement of its infrastructure with a long-term perspective, are one of the key vectors of the urban development policy pursued by President Serdar Berdimuhamedov. The modern appearance of the transforming capital reflects the progressive dynamics of the socio-economic progress of our independent state, its multifaceted potential, rich history and cultural traditions of the Turkmen people.

Particular attention was paid to cooperation between Turkmenistan and UNESCO. In particular, the relevance of including Ashgabat in the UNESCO Global Network of Creative Cities in the nomination “Design” was emphasized, as well as the results achieved and further steps in this direction were discussed.

The administrative center of the Lebap velayat hosted the international festival “Handicraft and arts and crafts in the heritage of the peoples of the world.”

The large-scale creative action demonstrated the bright and original palette of national culture, its role in the development of the state, and its huge creative potential.

Within the framework of the forum, a scientific and practical conference was held, during which urgent tasks of preserving and popularizing the national heritage were discussed, as well as displays of modern clothes and national costumes, creative meetings, and master classes.

Thus, the events of the past week have become a vivid illustration of the successful expansion of the political dialogue of Turkmenistan with the international community, the consistency of the course of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov in implementing the strategy of internal development of the country as a state with a strong economic, resource, spiritual and social base, with a steadily growing level of well-being of the people.