President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov delivered a traditional New Year's address to the people of Turkmenistan, reports the State News Agency of Turkmenistan.

“Dear compatriots!

The year 2023, marked by the year of happy youth, is coming to an end. Very soon we will celebrate the New Year, 2024.

The next year according to the eastern calendar is the year of Pisces. The passing year is significant in the newest chronicle of independent neutral Turkmenistan with large-scale reforms, as well as the grand opening of the first “smart city” in the history of the Fatherland - the city of Arkadag, the construction of which was initiated by the Hero-Arkadag. The city itself has received more than 20 international awards.

At the same time, a large number of modern residential buildings, schools and kindergartens, medical and sports facilities have been built throughout the country, cultural institutions, parks, industrial and other structures have been commissioned, and major projects in the fuel and energy complex have been implemented.

Thousands of happy families celebrated housewarming parties in luxury homes. In short, the results of the work done clearly demonstrate the economic potential of our Motherland.

Large-scale events have been successfully held in the independent Fatherland. At the very beginning of 2023, the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan was created, and already on March 26, elections of deputies of the Mejlis and members of velayat, etrap, city Halk Maslahaty and Gengeshes were held.

Fundamental reforms are being consistently carried out in the agricultural sector. Our dedicated farmers reaped a generous harvest of wheat, cotton and other agricultural crops, replenishing the Motherland's harvest. In the future, we will consider the issue of increasing government purchase prices for cotton and wheat to economically stimulate farmers growing these crops on our generous land, and will also significantly strengthen the material and technical base of the industry.

Large-scale work has been launched in the oil and gas, transport and communications, trade and business sectors, which make a significant contribution to the advancement of our sovereign state along the path of progress.

Dear compatriots!

A fundamental national healthcare system has been formed in independent Turkmenistan. Protecting health and increasing life expectancy of the population will always be the focus of the state’s attention, since ensuring a healthy life and well-being of citizens is our main goal.

Science and education are one of the fundamental systems on the path to a bright future, so we attach great importance to their modernization and the preparation of physically strong and capable youth.

Much is being done to massively attract the younger generation to sports and increase the sports prestige of the Motherland in the international arena.

It is noteworthy that our country was elected as a member of the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee on Physical Culture and Sports for 2023–2027. We will continue to work closely with relevant international structures, as well as develop various sports.

In 2023, the Magtymguly Youth Organization of Turkmenistan became an official member of the UNESCO Global Youth Community, and we successfully held youth forums with the participation of representatives of many friendly countries.

One of the unforgettable events in this series was the International Scientific and Practical Conference and Exhibition in commemoration of the Year of Happy Youth, organized in Ashgabat at a high level.

Within the framework of these events, we awarded the winners of international sports tournaments, school subject Olympiads and student competitions held in the country and abroad.

The labor merits of youth representatives in various segments of the economy, who make a great contribution to the development of the country, were also appreciated.

We intend to continue to attach great importance to educating the younger generation in the spirit of love for the Motherland and support youth initiatives.

As for foreign policy, we will consistently strengthen the position of the neutral Fatherland on the world stage, enriching partnerships with the countries of the planet and international structures with new content.

We also pay great attention to issues of respect for nature and the introduction of “green” technologies. Our positions in this area were announced at the 28th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

Therefore, we will continue to contribute to maintaining environmental well-being by organizing mass greening campaigns in the country.

This year, at the initiative of Turkmenistan, a number of UN Resolutions were unanimously adopted: “The role of the United Nations regional center for preventive diplomacy for Central Asia” - within the framework of the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly, as well as “The key role of reliable and stable energy connectivity in ensuring sustainable development” and “Strengthening links between all modes of transport to achieve sustainable development goals” - at the 49th plenary meeting of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly. These events once again clearly demonstrated the wide support of the world community for the initiatives of neutral Turkmenistan in the interests of all humanity.

Dear compatriots!

Thanks to the active interaction of our country with the UN specialized agency for education, science and culture, the collection of manuscripts of the poet and thinker Magtymguly Fragi is included in the UNESCO Memory of the World Program, and the 300th anniversary of his birth is in the UNESCO List of Memorable Dates jointly celebrated in 2024–2025.

Dear Turkmen people!

Our country is taking large-scale measures to develop national culture and preserve heritage. At the end of the year, we held various thematic events at an international level, as well as Culture Days. The Culture Week organized in Ashgabat played a special role in enriching our culture, art and literature. Next year we will hold a high-level Culture Week in the city of Arkadag.

The year 2024 will be filled with significant events on the occasion of the 300th anniversary of the great poet and philosopher Magtymguly Fragi.

We will continue to continue the state policy aimed at protecting, in-depth scientific study and popularization of the original traditions and historical and cultural heritage of the Turkmen people.

Dear friends!

In order to further improve the well-being and social conditions of the population, from January 1 of the new year we will increase wages, pensions, state benefits, and scholarships for students and trainees by 10 percent.

The New Year, which we all celebrate with bright dreams and hopes, great goals, will be successful for our people and country.

Filled with pride for our native Fatherland and having set clear goals for ourselves, we declared the coming 2024 the year of “The Fount of the Mind of Magtymguly Fragi”. As Hero-Arkadag notes in his poem, the poet and thinker Magtymguly Fragi is a fount of reason for each of us.

In the new year, we will continue to work selflessly to transform our beloved Fatherland into a land where happiness and prosperity reign.

Dear Turkmen people!

We are on the threshold of the New Year, 2024, and at this moment I sincerely wish you new success! May peace, prosperity and prosperity reign in every home, and may your days be full of happiness!

Dear compatriots!

Happy New Year 2024!” - says the New Year’s message from the head of state.