On 23 September, the President of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdimuhamedov, addressed a session of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan, outlining the main directions of the country’s socio-economic development and the objectives for the coming years. This was reported by the news agency TDH.

The Head of State stated that GDP growth is expected to reach 6.3 per cent by the end of the year. The volume of investment under the ‘Programme for the Socio-Economic Development of Turkmenistan and Investment for 2026’ will exceed 41.2 billion manats. The President of Turkmenistan has instructed that a similar programme be drawn up for 2027.

Particular attention was paid in the speech to industry, energy and infrastructure. The development of the oil and gas sector continues in the country, including the fourth phase of the ‘Galkynyş’ field development. As part of the project, a plant with a capacity of 10 billion cubic metres of marketable gas per year is under construction.

The construction and modernisation of industrial enterprises are continuing. Projects include complexes for the production of urea and mineral fertilisers, chemical industry enterprises, as well as new energy facilities. In the Gyzylarbat etrap of the Balkan velayat, there are plans to commission a hybrid wind-solar power station.

In the transport sector, construction has been completed on the 600-kilometre ‘Mary–Turkmenabat’ section of the ‘Ashgabat–Turkmenabat’ motorway. Work is continuing on the ‘Turkmenbashi–Garabogaz–Kazakhstan’ border road. The reconstruction of the ‘Ashgabat–Dashoguz’ motorway is also planned.

The Head of State emphasised the need to adopt the ‘National Strategy for the Industrial Development of Turkmenistan for 2030–2045’.

In the social sector, construction is continuing on housing estates, new settlements and infrastructure facilities. In the Yoloten etrap of the Mary velayat, construction has begun on a settlement for 4,500 households. Construction of the second phase of the city of Arkadag is continuing.

Particular attention has been paid to agriculture. This year, the country has harvested over 1.4 million tonnes of grain. The cotton harvest is expected to total 1.25 million tonnes. Cocoon production has exceeded 2,100 tonnes. In the Dashoguz velayat, there are plans to build a facility to process 60,000 tonnes of industrial cotton seeds and produce vegetable oil.

In the field of education, the construction and modernisation of educational institutions is continuing. In Ashgabat, the new complex of the Turkmen State Institute of Architecture and Construction has been commissioned, whilst in Turkmenabat, the new complex of the Seyitnazar Seydi Turkmen State Pedagogical Institute has been commissioned. The President also noted the preparation of the ‘State Programme on State Youth Policy in Turkmenistan for the period up to 2031’.

In the healthcare sector, plans are in place to open an International Paediatrics Centre, an International Scientific and Clinical Oncology Centre and a Dental Centre in Ashgabat. Construction of multi-specialist hospitals and other medical facilities is continuing in the regions. There are plans to lay the foundations for 50 rural health centres and rural health facilities.

The speech also touched upon issues relating to the development of sport, culture, the textile industry, entrepreneurship and the transport and communications sector. In particular, mention was made of the expansion of digital services and the exploration of opportunities for applying artificial intelligence technologies.

Considerable attention was also paid to foreign policy. Serdar Berdimuhamedov noted the adoption by the UN General Assembly of resolutions on the role of the policy of neutrality and the declaration of 2028 as the Year of International Law. A number of international events are scheduled to take place in October at the ‘Awaza’ National Tourist Zone, including a consultative meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia and the Republic of Azerbaijan, and a meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Commonwealth of Independent States.

At the meeting, the President of Turkmenistan put forward an initiative to adopt a national concept entitled ‘International Law and Neutrality of Turkmenistan’. It was also proposed to establish a University of Peace and Neutrality in cooperation with the United Nations.

Concluding his speech, Serdar Berdimuhamedov announced that, in accordance with the Decree being signed, Turkmenistan’s Independence Day, marking its 35th anniversary, would be celebrated on 27, 28 and 29 September.