In the era of the Revival of a new epoch of a powerful state, the principles of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov «The Motherland is the Motherland only with the people! The state is a state only with the people!» and the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov «The state is for the people!» fill our hearts with a sense of pride and inspire us to new achievements. Thanks to the large-scale activities of Hero-Arkadag and the President of Turkmenistan, our independent neutral Fatherland has turned into a country of prosperity and well-being.

Celebrated in a new historical era in an atmosphere of high emotional uplift and embodying the unity and cohesion of the people, holidays and significant dates symbolize the creative beginning of the modern era. And today, under the leadership of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov and following the principles of Hero-Arkadag, we celebrate the 32nd anniversary of the independence of the Motherland with outstanding labour achievements.

The primordial principles of peace, friendship and good neighborliness of the Turkmen people have gained our Motherland authority on the world stage. The UN General Assembly twice adopted Resolutions on the permanent neutrality of Turkmenistan. Based on its legal status, our country is actively developing international cooperation, including with states in the region.

Science and education are the basic foundation for the harmonious development of any society. Therefore, great importance is attached at the state level to building up scientific, educational and technological potential. Comprehensive measures are being implemented to form a highly erudite, patriotic, broad-minded young generation. Large-scale work is underway to build schools, preschool institutions, vocational educational institutions, and introduce innovations and best international practices into the educational process.

The «Program of the President of Turkmenistan for the socio-economic development of the country in 2022–2028» provides for the construction of 40 preschool institutions, 54 general education institutions, and the commissioning of 4 new higher vocational educational institutions.

On the first day of the academic year, the foundation was laid for a new complex of buildings of the Turkmen State Pedagogical Institute named after Seyitnazar Seydi and the Turkmen State Institute of Architecture and Construction, an additional educational building, a dormitory, a sports facility on the adjacent territory of the State Energy Institute of Turkmenistan and a monument on the ring road.

In the city of Arkadag, the International Academy of Horse Breeding named after Aba Annayev, the Pedagogical Secondary Vocational School named after Berdimuhamet Annayev, the Medical Secondary Vocational School named after Sachly Dursunova, an educational complex, 3 specialized schools with in-depth study of the English language, 9 kindergartens, as well as 6 kindergartens and 17 secondary schools in Ahal, Balkan, Lebap and Mary velayats. This is evidence that the national education system is successfully developing in the new historical epoch.

On the initiative of Hero-Arkadag, first-graders are given computers, and now this tradition is worthily continued by the President of Turkmenistan. This is the best indicator of well-being in the country.

In the year «Happy Youth with Arkadag Serdar», our schoolchildren won 8 gold, 12 silver and 38 bronze medals at international subject olympiads, 75 gold, 111 silver and 108 bronze medals at international online olympiads, and Turkmen students – 27 gold, 55 silver and 82 bronze medals at international subject Olympiads and 2 gold, 7 silver and 9 bronze medals at team Olympiads. Scientific and practical conferences «Sustainable Development Goals: Youth Policy and Innovative Technologies», «Scientific and Technical Possibilities of Producing Hydrogen Energy from Natural Gas», an international forum of students, graduate students and young scientists «Scientific steps of young scientists in the digitalization of the economy» were held in the country’s universities, international olympiads in the subjects: strength of materials, theoretical mechanics, English, computer science, mathematics, drawing geometry and engineering graphics. All this is clear evidence of the success of the course taken to modernize the domestic education system.

Educated youth with professional skills are the basis for the maximum realization of the country’s intellectual potential. Currently, there are 26 higher and 45 secondary vocational educational institutions operating in Turkmenistan. Only in recent years have higher educational institutions been opened, specializing in such areas as medicine, oil and gas, economics and management, diplomacy, sports, culture, humanities, engineering technology, telecommunications and computer science, horse breeding, modern levels of education have been introduced - master's degree and B.A. Research and production centres of universities conduct research in such important fields of science as biotechnology, nanotechnology and molecular biology, creative scientific and engineering ideas of young scientists are introduced into production, and the scientific and personnel potential of higher educational institutions is strengthened.

This year, as part of the state visit of the President of Turkmenistan to the Republic of Tajikistan, the laying of the foundation of a secondary school named after Magtymguly for 540 places took place in the Ergesh Sultanov the association of farmers of the Dustin district of the Khatlon velayat of this country, where the Turkmen diaspora lives. UNESCO departments «Cultural heritage: from past to future» were opened at the Turkmen State University named after Magtymguly and «Ecological education for sustainable development» at the Turkmen State Pedagogical Institute named after Seyitnazar Seydi, UNESCO clubs - «Languages of the world» at the Turkmen National Institute of World Languages named after Dovletmammet Azady, «Culture of Peace» - at the Institute of International Relations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan, «Environmental protection is an important concept of sustainable development» - at the Turkmen Agricultural Institute. Six secondary schools are included in the network of associated schools of this organization. This opens up broad opportunities for the country’s integration into the global education system in the context of a policy of broad international cooperation implemented under the leadership of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov.

The development of the healthcare sector has been identified as one of the priorities of state policy since the first days of independence. In 1995, on the initiative of Hero-Arkadag, the State Program «Saglyk» was developed and reforms in this area were launched. As part of the implementation of this program, all the necessary conditions have been created to protect human health - the highest value of the state and society, increase life expectancy, ensure the availability of high-quality medical services and facilities, reduce the incidence rate, build diagnostic centers, clinics, sanatoriums, pharmaceutical enterprises that meet WHO standards, training of specialists, development of medical science, strengthening of international cooperation, activation of the mass physical education and health movement, and an exemplary national health care model has been formed.

The successes achieved under the leadership of Hero-Arkadag in the field of disease prevention and elimination have been recognized throughout the world. The presentation of international certificates for the elimination of dracunculiasis and polio to Turkmenistan is confirmation of this. In 2004, our country was awarded an international certificate for achieving universal salt iodization. Our country also received a certificate of malaria elimination and an international award for the production of flour fortified with folic acid and iron. In 2016, the WHO Regional Commission for Europe awarded a certificate confirming the elimination of measles and rubella.

Based on the Program, a completely new direction was created - the state health insurance system, which has opened up wide opportunities for increasing life expectancy, the working age of the population, and increasing the availability of medical services.

The Ministry of Health and Medical Industry regularly introduces new vaccines into the National Vaccination Calendar.

The World Health Organization noted Turkmenistan's success in regulating tobacco consumption and creating a tobacco-free zone by 2025.

In order to improve the health of the population, much attention is paid to the sanatorium and resort sector. Existing buildings of the Archman, Yylysuv, Mollagara, Farap, Berzenni, Dashoguz, Bayramaly hospitals were reconstructed and new buildings were erected; modern health, tourism and sports facilities were built in the «Avaza» National Tourist Zone and other places in the country.

Within the framework of the State Program «Saglyk», treatment and preventive measures have been improved.

In addition, a whole range of national programs is currently being implemented: «Revival of a new era of a powerful state: National program for the socio-economic development of Turkmenistan in 2022-2052», «Program of the President of Turkmenistan for the socio-economic development of the country in 2022-2028», «National program of the President of Turkmenistan for transforming the social and living conditions of the population of villages, towns, cities of etraps and etrap centers for the period until 2028», «National strategy «Healthy mother - healthy child - healthy future» for the protection of maternal and child health in Turkmenistan for 2021-2025», «National strategy for the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases in Turkmenistan for 2021-2025», »Strategy for increasing vitamin D-related preventive measures in Turkmenistan for 2023-2028», «National program for increasing population immunity in Turkmenistan for 2021-2025», «National program to transform Turkmenistan into a tobacco-free country for 2022-2025», «National program to ensure the healthy well-being of the population in Turkmenistan for 2023-2028».

75-80 percent of State Budget expenditures are allocated to the social sphere - to finance the spheres of healthcare, education, culture, and the implementation of related projects.

The Charitable Foundation for helping children in need of care named after Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov is actively involved in solving problems of protecting public health. The Fund regularly allocates funds for treatment and various operations for young Turkmen citizens in need of care, pupils of orphanages, specialized schools and boarding schools, and for the purchase of necessary medical supplies for them.

The infrastructure of the national healthcare sector is being gradually improved. Last year, as part of the trip of the President of Turkmenistan to the Balkan and Dashoguz velayats, multidisciplinary hospitals built in the cities of Turkmenbashi and Dashoguz, as well as an Oncology Centre in the city of Dashoguz, were inaugurated. Currently, the construction of the International Scientific and Clinical Centre for Physiology and the International Health and Rehabilitation Centre, the modernization of the International Centre for Internal Medicine, the International Centre «Ene mähri» and the International Medical Diagnostic Centre of the Directorate of International Medical Centres in Ashgabat are in full swing. In accordance with the Resolutions of the President of Turkmenistan, it is permitted to conclude a contract for the construction of the International Centre for Pediatrics, the International Scientific and Clinical Centre for Oncology and the Dental Centre in Ashgabat. On the 15th of March of this year, with the blessing of the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, a solemn ceremony of laying the foundations of these facilities took place.

In the city of Arkadag, the Children's Health and Rehabilitation Centre named after Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, the Health Department and, within its structure, a Multidisciplinary Hospital with 350 beds, an Oncology Centre with 150 beds, a Maternal and Child Health Centre with 150 beds, an Ambulance Centre and a Healthcare Transport Enterprise have been created.

Much attention is paid to the integration of the national sphere of science into the global scientific space, its development in accordance with the requirements of the time. Consistent steps are being taken to train scientifically savvy, broad-minded specialists in postgraduate and doctoral schools operating on the basis of research institutes of the Academy of Sciences and universities of the country.

The material and technical base of research institutes is regularly strengthened, innovations and new technologies are being introduced. Comprehensive scientific research on bio-, nano-, information and chemical technologies is carried out in the laboratories of the Technology Centre of the Academy of Sciences of Turkmenistan. Based on the encyclopedic work of Hero-Arkadag «Medicinal Plants of Turkmenistan», medicinal plants growing on the fertile Turkmen land were scientifically studied and a high-tech product was obtained - a dry extract of camel thorn. A technology has been developed for preparing baked goods with the addition of licorice root extract.

Technologies for processing mineral, hydromineral and hydrocarbon raw materials are being developed at the Institute of Chemistry of the Academy of Sciences of Turkmenistan. On the basis of the institute, joint departments of the International University of Oil and Gas named after Yagshygeldi Kakayev, the Turkmen State Institute of Architecture and Construction and the Turkmen State University named after Magtymguly operate and scientific research is conducted to improve oil and gas processing technologies.

The Institute of Language, Literature and National Manuscripts of the Academy of Sciences carries out work on studying the national cultural heritage, literature, current issues of the Turkmen language, and compiling dictionaries.

On the occasion of the 300th anniversary of the birth of the great thinker and poet of the East Magtymguly Pyragy, monographs are being written about the creative heritage of the poet, who is included in the golden treasury of world literature, and the «Encyclopedia of Magtymguly Pyragy» is being created. Scientific and creative working trips were organized to Moscow, St. Petersburg (RF), Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara (Uzbekistan), Budapest (Hungary) and electronic copies of dozens of manuscripts related to the work of Magtymguly Pyragy, as well as Turkmen literature and history were brought to the country.

At the Institute of History and Archeology of the Academy of Sciences of Turkmenistan, work is underway to study ancient and medieval history, the era of independence and permanent neutrality, historical, cultural and archaeological monuments of the country.

Currently, the collection of the Central Scientific Library of the Academy of Sciences of Turkmenistan contains a total of 172,522 printed items (books, magazines and newspapers). An electronic catalog of this valuable treasury has been compiled in Turkmen and other languages.

It should be noted that the country pays special attention to the development of elite sports and physical education movement, and the popularization of an active lifestyle.

International sports competitions and world championships, organized at a high level, help strengthen friendly and good-neighborly relations between peoples, establish a healthy lifestyle in society, promote the physical education and sports movement, and increase the sports authority of the Fatherland in the world. The successful holding of the V Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games in 2017 in the capital's Olympic Village, the World Weightlifting Championships in 2018, the Amul-Hazar international rally and other prestigious competitions led to an increase in the number of compatriots, especially young people, who regularly engage in physical education and sports. The adoption, at the initiative of Turkmenistan, on the 12th of April, 2018 at the 82nd meeting of the 72nd session of the UN General Assembly of the Resolution declaring on the 3rd of June as World Bicycle Day was evidence of global recognition of Turkmenistan’s efforts in this direction.

Currently, targeted measures are being taken to prepare for the Olympic Games and other competitions of the country's national teams using scientifically based methods. Over the eight months of this year, Turkmen athletes have won more than 400 medals at international competitions at various levels.

In this context, preparation for the successful performance of Turkmenistan teams at the World Kurash Wrestling Championship and the World Sambo Championship, which will be held this year in our country, as well as at the XXXIII Summer Olympic and XVII Paralympic Games in 2024 in Paris, is of particular importance.

Along with other industries, the activities of archival institutions are being improved. The state archives ensure the collection, registration, storage and use of documents of the National Archival Fund.

Political and mass events held throughout the country by domestic political parties and large public organizations, including the National Centre of Trade Unions, the Women's Union, and the Magtymguly Youth Organization, allow us to better understand the generally recognized significance of the peaceful domestic and foreign policies of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov.

Large-scale progressive transformations carried out in all spheres of the country's public life under the wise leadership of the head of state increase the international authority of the Fatherland. Today, Turkmenistan attracts the attention of the world community with its successes and achievements in the political, economic and cultural fields, filling relations with the countries of the world with qualitatively new content. The unprecedented efforts of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov are aimed at ensuring a prosperous life for our people.

N. AMANNEPESOV,
Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan.