Serdar Berdimuhamedow

Serdar Gurbangulyýewiç Berdimuhamedow(Turkmen pronunciation:[θɛɾˈdɑɾɢʊɾbɑnʁʊˈlɯjɛβɪtʃbɛɾdɯmʊxɑmɛˈdoβ]; born 22 September 1981) is a Turkmen politician serving as the third and currentpresident of Turkmenistansince 19 March 2022. Berdimuhamedow had previously served in several other positions within the government of his father,Gurbanguly, the long-standing authoritarian ruler of Turkmenistan. The father and son entered into a power-sharing arrangement in 2022 whereby they jointly rule atotalitariansystem of government in Turkmenistan.
In 2021, he became one of several deputy chairmen in theCabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan. The next year, he won 73 percent of the vote in the country'spresidential election, considered to beneither free nor fair,succeeding his father's 18-year-long totalitarian tenure as president and making Turkmenistan the first modern country inCentral Asiato be ruled by adynasticsystem.
Serdar Berdimuhamedow was born on 22 September 1981 inAshgabat,Soviet Union.He studied at Secondary School No. 43 in Ashgabat from 1987 to 1997.Between 1997 and 2001, he studied at theTurkmen Agricultural University, graduating as an engineer-technologist.
From July to November 2001, he worked in the Directorate for Foreign Economic Relations of the Food Processing Association, followed by two years of mandatory military service.From 2003 to 2008, he worked again at the Food Processing Association in the fruit and vegetable department and in the non-alcoholic beer and wine department.
Between 2008 and 2011, Berdimuhamedow studied at the Diplomatic Academy of theRussian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, earning a diploma in international relations. During this period he was also assigned to the Turkmen Embassy in Moscow ascounselor of embassy.From 2011 to 2013, he studied at theGeneva Centre for Security Policy, earning a post-graduate degree in European and international security affairs. He was concurrently assigned to the Turkmen Mission to the United Nations in Geneva as a counselor of embassy.
From August to December 2013, he served as head of the European Department of the TurkmenMinistry of Foreign Affairs. From 2013 to 2016 he was deputy director of the State Agency for Management and Use of Hydrocarbon Resources. From 2016 to 2017 he was chairman of the Department of International Information of the Turkmen Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
On 18 August 2014, Serdar Berdimuhamedow defended a dissertation at theTurkmen Academy of Sciencesto earn the degree of candidate of science.In July 2015, he was awarded a doctorate in technical sciences.
He was often styled as "the son of the nation" bystate media in Turkmenistan.
Serdar served two years of mandatory military service from 2001 to 2003. On 27 October 2017, he was promoted from the rank ofmajortolieutenant colonel. His promotion ceremony was broadcast on national television. His branch of service is unknown,but on 7 March 2021, he was shown on national television in uniform wearing the shoulder patch of theArmed Forces of Turkmenistan. The same video showed him wearingshoulder boardsindicating the rank ofcolonel, and the decree awarding him the honorary title of"Defender of Homeland Turkmenistan"referred to him as a colonel.On 26 January 2023 theMejlisof Turkmenistan adopted a resolution promoting Serdar Berdimuhamedov in his role as "supreme commander-in-chief of armed forces" to the rank ofgeneral of the army.
In November 2016, Berdimuhamedow won a seat in the Mejlis representing the 25th parliamentary district centered onDushak, a town inAhal Province.In March 2018, he wasre-electedto theAssembly of Turkmenistanwith over 90% of the votes cast in his district.He chaired the committee on legislation and norms as of March 2017.
Berdimuhamedow rose to the political spotlight following his appointment asdeputy minister of foreign affairsin March 2018.In January 2019, Berdimuhamedow was shifted to the position of deputy governor of Ahal Province, the native region of most of the Turkmen elite.In June 2019, Berdimuhamedow was elevated to governor (häkim) of Ahal Province.In February 2020, Berdimuhamedow was appointed minister of industry and construction materials of Turkmenistan.
On 11 February 2021, Berdimuhamedow was promoted to deputy chairman of theCabinet of Ministersfor innovation and digitization, a new position. He was simultaneously appointed to theState Security Counciland chairman of the Supreme Control Chamber of Turkmenistan.On 9 July 2021, Berdimuhamedow was relieved of his positions on the State Security Council and Supreme Control Chamber, and as deputy chairman was assigned the economics and finance portfolio with specific responsibility for "economic and banking issues and international financial organizations".
He is chairperson of the TurkmenAlabay DogAssociation,and president of the InternationalAhal TekeHorse Breeding Association.
It was confirmed in February 2022 that Berdimuhamedow was running for anearly presidential election on 12 March, fuelling speculation that he would be the successor to his father asPresident of Turkmenistan.He won the election with 72.97% of the vote, and became his father's successor as president, establishing apolitical dynasty.The election was seen by many international observers asneither free nor fair.
Serdar was inaugurated on 19 March at theRuhyýet Palace.He took the oath to the people on theConstitution of Turkmenistanand theQuran. He was then presented the presidential badge of office by Turkmen elders. From the palace, Berdimuhamedow, accompanied by a mounted escort, drove toGalkynysh Squareand then to theOguzhan Presidential PalaceComplex where the Armed Forces of Turkmenistan performed amilitary parade.Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of theState Security Council of TurkmenistanÇarymyrat Amanowreported to Berdimuhamedow. Later that day an official reception was given at the Audience Center of Turkmenistan. A festiveSadaqahwas also given at theHazret Omar Mosque.
On 25 March, he presented his cabinet, basically confirming his father's ministers in their posts. The only new government member wasMuhammetguly Muhammedow, who replaced him asDeputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers for Economics and Finance.According to some, he intends to replace Foreign MinisterVice President of TurkmenistanRaşit Meredowwith Esen Aydogdyev, rector of theInternational University of Humanities and Development.
On the first day of his presidency, Berdimuhamedow accepted the credentials of Fazal Muhammad Sabir, making Turkmenistan the first country in Central Asia to accept the diplomats of theTalibangovernment ofAfghanistan.Former Indian PresidentRam Nath Kovindmade a state visit to Turkmenistan on 1–4 April, marking the first visit of the President of India to Turkmenistan, and the first foreign head of state to be received by Berdimuhamedow. The two leaders discussed expanding trade and energy cooperation.President Berdimuhamedow made his first foreign visit, toSaudi Arabia, on 1–2 June.Later that month, he made visits to Russia and Iran, on the visit to the latter he used the firstAurus Senatlimousine purchased by the Turkmen government.
During a State Security Council meeting in early April, he also removed Colonel GeneralÇarymyrat Amanowfrom the post of Secretary of theState Security Council of Turkmenistanin favor of the head of the Defense Ministry,Begench Gundogdyev, due to Amanow's "transfer to another job." He also abolished Amanow's concurrent office of Deputy Chairman of theCabinetresponsible for Security, Military, and Justice. He also replaced theMinister of Internal Affairs, Colonel Öwezdurdy Hojanyýazow, with ColonelMuhammet Hydyrow, due to "shortcomings" and "improper control over public order, traffic safety as well as activity of local representatives of the police."
Berdimuhamedow is married and has four children.A classmate at theRussian Diplomatic Academydescribed him as even-tempered and unassuming.Instructors and other classmates reportedly described him as "modest, responsive, polite, and calm."
Berdimuhamedow speaksTurkmen,Russianand, unlike his predecessors,English.
On 30 May 2022, Berdimuhamedow's mother, Ogulgerek Berdimuhamedowa, was awarded the title of Honored Carpet Weaver of Turkmenistan for her many years at the carpet factory in the city ofGökdepe.On 1–2 June 2022, Berdimuhamedow undertook his first foreign visit toSaudi Arabia, where he and his son performedUmrah.
On 21 January 2023, Serdar Berdimuhamedov signed the constitutional law "On the National Leader of the Turkmen people", which provided his fatherGurbanguly Berdimuhamedowand his family members with legal immunity and a number of other benefits.