The National Leader of the Turkmen people and Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, addressed a public lesson dedicated to Knowledge and Student Youth Day on 2 September at the ‘Ruhyýet’ Palace in Arkadag. This was reported by the news agency TDH.

In his speech, the Hero Arkadag congratulated teachers, students and schoolchildren on the start of the new academic year and outlined the key tasks facing young people. These include receiving a high-quality education, mastering modern technologies, preserving national values and participating in the country’s development.

Particular attention was paid to patriotic education. The National Leader of the Turkmen people emphasised the importance of studying the history, culture and spiritual heritage of Turkmenistan. Young people are called upon to preserve national traditions, respect their elders, observe the rules of etiquette and contribute to the development of the Motherland through their labour.

A separate section of the speech was devoted to Turkmenistan’s permanent neutrality and its foreign policy course. It was noted that the country’s status of permanent neutrality was recognised by the United Nations in 1995. On Turkmenistan’s initiative, the UN General Assembly adopted 33 resolutions, and in 2007 the UN Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia was established in Ashgabat.

The Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan also highlighted the country’s initiatives in the areas of peace and trust, energy, water resources, the environment and sustainable transport. In particular, the Hero Arkadag focused on the Third UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries, held in Turkmenistan in August 2025.

Transport diplomacy featured prominently in the speech. Turkmenistan regards its geographical location as a basis for the development of international transport corridors between Asia and Europe. Work on developing the Trans-Caspian international transport link and the construction of a motorway from Turkmenbashi to the Kazakh border was highlighted.

Speaking on the energy sector, the National Leader of the Turkmen people noted the ongoing construction of the ‘Turkmenistan–Afghanistan–Pakistan–India’ gas pipeline. He also emphasised the country’s potential to expand electricity supplies under the ‘Turkmenistan–Afghanistan–Pakistan’  project.

According to Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, Turkmenistan maintains trade and economic ties with more than 100 states, diplomatic relations with 161 countries, and participates in the activities of 55 international organisations. Work is also continuing in the country on the relevant procedures for accession to the World Trade Organisation.

Particular attention was paid to Ahal-Teke horses as an element of Turkmenistan’s national cultural heritage and cultural diplomacy. It was noted that the art of Ahal-Teke horse breeding and the traditions of horse decoration are included in UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Speaking about the prospects for young people, the National Leader of the Turkmen people emphasised the need to actively embrace artificial intelligence, digital technologies and scientific and technical achievements. Hero Arkadag proposed to begin developing a conceptual project for a ‘smart society’ and to create the conditions for the formation of international scientific and educational youth clusters.

The speech also highlighted the role of the family and educators in the upbringing of the younger generation. The need to combine modern knowledge and digital opportunities with national traditions, cultural norms and moral values was emphasised.

The National Leader of the Turkmen people called on young people to study the Turkmen language and foreign languages, to read works of national and foreign literature, to take part in sport, and to develop scientific and innovative skills.

In conclusion, Hero Arkadag wished the students and schoolchildren good health, happiness and success in their studies and in life, emphasising that young people are the pride and future of independent Turkmenistan.