2023, the theme of which «Happy Youth with Arkadag Serdar», was marked by the significant accomplishments of Turkmen youth in all sectors of the national economy. A lecturer at the Institute of International Relations (IIR) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Tylla Babayeva said about profound trust placed in the younger generation in Turkmenistan in an interview with CentralAsia.news.
The lecturer stated that the key priorities of the state youth policy are to bring up the younger generation in the spirit of patriotism, humanity, high morality and respect for the Motherland and our glorious history, culture, traditions and family values of our people and enhance their interest in science and education. The new Law on State Youth Policy was developed and adopted to strengthen the legal framework for ongoing activities in this sphere. With the aim of achieving its objectives, the Programme on State Youth Policy for 2021-2025 and the Action Plan were approved.
The representative of the IIR of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs noted that the state youth policy is inextricably linked with the activities of Magtymguly Youth Organisation of Turkmenistan. This organisation defends the interests of young citizens and currently has over 900,000 members. The beginning of 2023 was marked by the very symbolic event — the VIII Congress of Magtymguly Youth Organisation. Its delegates discussed and unanimously adopted amendments and additions to the Charter of Magtymguly Youth Organisation. The amendments to the founding document of this public organisation particularly reflect modern realities and tasks arising from the new Law On State Youth Policy, as well as the tasks set for the younger generation by President Serdar Berdimuhamedov and the National Leader of the Turkmen people Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov. The participants unanimously adopted the relevant Resolution.
The international conference on the outcomes of 2023 was held on December 27, the lecturer noted. The universal exhibition showcasing the achievements in all sectors of Turkmenistan, as well as the role of universities in the life of the country took place as part of it. The participants of the conference focused on improving national legislation on the protection of the rights and freedoms of young people and the creation of conditions conducive to receiving modern education and developing the abilities of the younger generation. In 2023, young people under the age of 35 accounted for about 37 percent of the members of Turkmen Parliament. A group of young parliamentarians, which is tasked to enhance the role of the younger generation in state governance, was set up at Mejlis.
Babayeva emphasised that neutral Turkmenistan attaches great importance to Turkmen youth in its foreign policy, as reflected in the priority positions of Turkmenistan presented at the 78th session of the UN General Assembly. These are the strengthening of relationships among Turkmen young people abroad and their participation in the key modern processes of global development. With the aim of promoting multilateral communication in the region, the founding meeting of the Youth Dialogue for Central Asia took place in Arkadag City on October 2, 2023, which became an effective tool for the focused implementation of the initiatives and potential of the younger generation.
The lecturer noted that another large-scale consistent step to enhance the role of Turkmen youth in modern society was the adoption of the Strategy for International Youth Cooperation for 2023-2030, approved by the Resolution of the President of Turkmenistan and aimed at boosting international youth partnerships. Recognition of Turkmenistan’s contribution to fostering an international youth dialogue was the recent joining of Magtymguly Youth Organisation to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Global Youth Community.
The lecturer emphasised that the creation of conducive conditions for education and professional, scientific and creative growth of young people is the most reliable investment in the progress and modernisation of society. To this end, the conditions conducive to receiving modern education, developing talents and professional excellence and growing into broad-minded individuals are created for young people in Turkmenistan. The younger generation of Turkmenistan demonstrates their knowledge and skills at Olympiads, art contests, art festivals and sports competitions, fruitfully works at public and private companies and takes an active part in the progressive development of all sectors of the national economy. 2023 was no exception, based on the results of which, the young people, who have gained remarkable achievements in education, science, sports, culture, industry, agriculture and other sectors of the economy, received high awards in accordance with the Decree of the President of Turkmenistan.
The representative of the IIR of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs added that the significant achievements and accomplishments of the younger generation in the Year «Happy Youth with Arkadag Serdar» are described by President Serdar Berdimuhamedov in his book «Youth is the Support of the Motherland», which became a wonderful gift to the Turkmen people on New Year’s Eve. This book is about the life, fate and achievements of Turkmen youth in all areas. The publication of this book is timed to the international science and practical conference and exhibition on the outcomes of the Year «Happy Youth with Arkadag Serdar», which took place on December 27.
Tylla Babayeva concluded that it has become a good tradition in Turkmenistan to give each year a theme. 2024 is no exception and has taken the baton of large-scale undertakings. In Turkmenistan, this year has the deeply symbolling theme — «The Fount of the Mind of Magtymguly Fraghi», reflecting the focus of domestic and foreign policy. The work being conducted by Turkmenistan together with the international community to celebrate the 300th birth anniversary of the oriental poet is important in studying the rich and invaluable legacy of the classic of Turkmen literature.
