Nepedia
Back to Discover
Advanced Reader
📖

Serdar Berdimuhamedow

society Maturity 11-13 politics Next article →

This article covers sensitive topics: politics. Parents can manage visibility in Parental Controls.

Serdar Berdimuhamedow is the current president of Turkmenistan. He is the third person to hold this high office in the country's history.

Serdar Berdimuhamedov (28326715477)
Serdar Berdimuhamedov (28326715477)

He assumed the presidency in 2022. He succeeded his father, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow, who ruled the nation for 18 years. Today, the two men participate in a power-sharing arrangement. This means they rule the country together through a totalitarian dictatorship. This political structure makes Turkmenistan the first modern country in Central Asia to follow a dynastic system. In a dynastic system, political power is passed down through a single family.

Berdimuhamedow's path to leadership involved many different areas of study and work. He was born on 22 September 1981 in Ashgabat. He first studied at the Turkmen Agricultural University. He graduated in 2001 as an engineer-technologist. After his studies, he worked for the Food Processing Association. He spent time in the fruit and vegetable department and the non-alcoholic beer and wine department. He also completed two years of mandatory military service from 2001 to 2003. Later, he pursued higher education in international relations at the Diplomatic Academy of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He also earned a post-graduate degree from the Geneva Centre for Security Policy in Switzerland.

Extended meeting of the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council (30-04-2021)
Extended meeting of the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council (30-04-2021)

His political career moved through several specific government roles. In 2016, he won a seat in the Mejlis, which is the parliament of Turkmenistan. He represented the 25th parliamentary district near the town of Dushak. In 2018, he became the deputy minister of foreign affairs. He then served as the governor, or häkim, of the Ahal Province in 2019. By 2020, he was the minister of industry and construction materials. In 2021, he became a deputy chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers. This position gave him responsibility for innovation, digitization, economics, and finance.

Buckingham Palace reception (52873366609)
Buckingham Palace reception (52873366609)

Serdar Berdimuhamedow also holds a very high rank in the military. He has seen his rank increase many times through official decrees. In 2017, he was promoted to lieutenant colonel. Later, he was recognized as a colonel. On 26 January 2023, the Mejlis adopted a resolution for a new promotion. He was named a general of the army. This role makes him the supreme commander-in-chief of the armed forces. He has received several honors for his service. These include the title "Defender of Homeland Turkmenistan" and the title "Hero of Turkmenistan."

Vladimir Putin and Serdar Berdymuhammedow (2024 Victory Day)
Vladimir Putin and Serdar Berdymuhammedow (2024 Victory Day)

His transition to the presidency was marked by a specific election. In 2022, he ran in an early presidential election held on 12 March. He won the election with 72.97 percent of the vote. However, many international observers described the election as a sham. They believed the election was neither free nor fair. He was officially inaugurated on 19 March at the Ruhyýet Palace. During the ceremony, he took an oath on the Constitution of Turkmenistan and the Quran. He also received the presidential badge of office from Turkmen elders.

Serdar Berdimuhamedov (28326715477)
Serdar Berdimuhamedov (28326715477)

As president, he manages foreign policy and national security. He has met with many world leaders to discuss trade and energy. For example, he received the first visit from the President of India. He has also traveled to Saudi Arabia, Russia, and Iran. In 2025, he signed a law to change how foreigners enter the country. This law allows for electronic visas and eases some strict entry regulations. In terms of security, he has made changes to high-level government positions. He replaced the Secretary of the State Security Council and the Minister of Internal Affairs. These changes were made due to reasons like "improper control" or simple transfers to other jobs.

Beyond politics, Berdimuhamedow has interests in various traditions and associations. He is the chairperson of the Turkmen Alabay Dog Association. He is also the president of the International Ahal Teke Horse Breeding Association. His family is also prominent in the country. In 2023, he signed a law called "On the National Leader of the Turkmen people." This law provides his father and other family members with legal immunity. This law helps ensure the family remains a powerful political force in Turkmenistan.

Buckingham Palace reception (52873366609)
Buckingham Palace reception (52873366609)
676 words

Where will your curiosity go next?

Keep exploring at your chosen reading level.

🖼️ Images & Media (4)
File:Serdar Berdimuhamedov (28326715477).jpg
Serdar Berdimuhamedov (28326715477).jpg
File:Extended meeting of the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council (30-04-2021).jpg
Extended meeting of the Eurasian...
File:Buckingham Palace reception (52873366609).jpg
Buckingham Palace reception (52873366609).jpg
File:Vladimir Putin and Serdar Berdymuhammedow (2024 Victory Day).jpg
Vladimir Putin and Serdar Berdymuhammedow...
More to explore

What is Nepedia?

A free, ad-free encyclopedia for children. Every article is written at five reading levels, so the same page works for a five-year-old and a fifteen-year-old — use the level switcher above to see this one change. No account needed to read.