Last week, President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov took part in the second ‘Central Asia – China’ summit held in Kazakhstan. During the meeting, issues related to strengthening regional cooperation were discussed, including in the fields of transport, energy, innovation and culture. The Turkmen side proposed to discuss an initiative to develop a Global Security Strategy under the auspices of the UN, according to the state news agency TDH.

During the visit to Kazakhstan, bilateral talks were also held between the President of Turkmenistan and Chinese President Xi Jinping, at which the development of trade, economic and humanitarian ties, as well as transport projects, were discussed.

Following the summit, a number of documents were signed, including the Treaty on Eternal Good Neighbourliness and the Astana Declaration. In addition, sister city relations were established between the Ahal velayat and the Chinese province of Shaanxi.

The domestic political agenda for the week included meetings and sessions devoted to agricultural policy, the development of science and education, the improvement of legislation, the modernisation of the customs system and the digitalisation of public administration. Cooperation with the IAEA and nuclear safety issues were also discussed.

An important milestone was reached in agriculture, with more than 1 million tonnes of wheat harvested.

Meetings were held with the newly appointed ambassadors of Palestine and Slovenia, during which the prospects for bilateral cooperation were discussed.

Special attention was paid to healthcare issues. The National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, familiarised himself with the progress of construction of the Dental Centre in Ashgabat, which is being equipped with modern equipment.

Cultural events included an international chess tournament in Ashgabat, where young Turkmen athletes took first place, as well as the opening of Culture Week in the Ahal velayat, dedicated to the Day of Workers of Culture and Art and the poetry of Magtymguly Pyragy.

The week demonstrated active foreign policy, steady economic development and a commitment to modernising key areas of the country's life.