At the Second Meeting of the Central Asian Youth Dialogue, held on April 16, 2025 at the UN headquarters in New York, the Turkmen delegation presented a comprehensive approach to youth development, emphasizing the role of the young generation as a key resource for the sustainable and innovative development of the country.

The slogan "Youth is the pillar of the Motherland" as a strategic guideline

The delegation emphasized that the slogan of the Esteemed President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov "Youth is the pillar of the Motherland" serves not only as a symbol of state policy, but also as a strategic guideline in the formation of an inclusive model of youth development. This model takes into account the individual interests, skills and aspirations of young people, ensuring their active participation in the economic, social and cultural life of the country. Such a policy allows for the maximum use of the demographic dividend to form a new generation ready to develop innovations for the sake of peace and trust.

Implementation of the state youth policy

Turkmenistan presented a number of legal acts and programs to ensure the implementation of youth policy:

• The new version of the Law "On State Youth Policy" (2022) enshrines the legal basis for involving young people in social processes, providing equal opportunities for education, professional growth and self-realization.

• The State Program on Youth Policy for 2021-2025 is aimed at fostering patriotism, humanism and hard work, as well as developing modern educational and professional standards. The program supports talented youth through competitions, grants and job creation.

• The Strategy for International Cooperation of the Youth of Turkmenistan for 2023-2030 promotes the integration of young Turkmens into global educational and professional processes, providing for participation in international forums, UN programs and the exchange of experience with young people from other countries.

These documents create unique opportunities for the formation of an erudite and ambitious generation capable of contributing to innovative sectors, including the digital economy, energy and science.

Demographic dividend and innovative development

Special attention in the speech was paid to the use of the demographic dividend - a significant share of youth in the population of Turkmenistan. The delegation emphasized that under the leadership of President Berdimuhamedov, the country is implementing functional mechanisms that direct the energy and knowledge of young people to achieve strategic goals. Digitalization programs involve young people in the IT sector, contributing to the creation of new jobs and the development of high-tech industries. These efforts ensure the transition to a knowledge-based economy and strengthen Turkmenistan's position as a regional leader in innovation.

International integration and contribution to global goals

The Turkmen delegation reported that the country's youth actively participate in international initiatives, including UN, UNICEF and UNESCO programs. Young SDG Ambassadors represent Turkmenistan at global forums, such as the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development, demonstrating the country's contribution to achieving the global agenda. The International Youth Cooperation Strategy until 2030 strengthens ties with universities and youth organizations around the world, facilitating the exchange of experience and the implementation of joint projects.

The presentation also emphasized the compliance of Turkmenistan's youth policy with global initiatives, such as the Pact for the Future, adopted at the UN Future Summit in 2024. The provisions of the pact on youth engagement and digitalization are reflected in Turkmenistan's national programs, which confirms the country's commitment to international obligations.

Suggestions for scaling up the experience

The Turkmen delegation proposed using the Central Asian Youth Dialogue platform to scale up the accumulated experience. Among the key initiatives:

• Sharing best practices: Turkmenistan called on the countries of the region to adopt successful approaches, such as inclusive educational programs, supporting youth entrepreneurship and involving young people in decision-making processes.

• Joint projects: It was proposed to develop regional initiatives in the field of education, digitalization and the "green" economy, which will allow the youth of Central Asia to contribute to sustainable development.

• Strengthening dialogue: The Central Asian Youth Dialogue platform should become a permanent mechanism for exchanging views and developing new strategies aimed at using the demographic potential of the region.

These proposals will help the countries of Central Asia jointly implement a new round of innovative development, relying on the energy and ideas of the young generation.

Results and significance of the speech

The speech of the Turkmen delegation at the Second Meeting of the Central Asian Youth Dialogue demonstrated to the international community Turkmenistan's success in creating conditions for the development of youth. Under the leadership of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, the country is implementing a comprehensive approach that combines national traditions, modern educational standards and global goals. The slogan "Youth is the pillar of the Motherland" has become not only a symbol of state policy, but also a real mechanism for the formation of a generation capable of ensuring Turkmenistan's innovative breakthrough.