On Wednesday, April 14, the first meeting of the Halk Maslahaty of the Milli Gengesh of Turkmenistan of the first convocation was held, a number of organizational issues were put on the agenda.

During the meeting, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov was elected Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of the Milli Gengesh of Turkmenistan by secret ballot.

- I regard this fact as a sign of great respect and high responsibility to all the people," the President said, assuring that he would make every effort to justify the high trust and provide all-round assistance for the full-fledged activities of the Chambers and the entire Milli Gengesh.

The opening of the Halk Maslahaty Office building, built by the French company "Buig Batiman Internasional", was timed to coincide with the beginning of the work of the new legislative body. This architectural complex with a height of 31.36 meters and a length of 112 meters is located on a land plot of 6.39 hectares.

On the same day, the first joint meeting of the two chambers of the National Council was held.

Opening the meeting, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov stressed the historical significance of the meeting of the Halk Maslahaty held in September 2020, at which the amendments and additions to the Basic Law of Turkmenistan prepared by the Constitutional Commission were approved. In accordance with the amendments and additions to the Constitution, the Law "On the Milli Gengesh of Turkmenistan" was adopted, according to which a bicameral parliament was established in the country.

During the meeting, Vice Chairman Halk Maslahaty was selected by voting, and five committees were formed: the Committee for the Protection of Human Rights and Freedoms; the Committee on Economy, Finance and Social Policy; the Committee on Science, Education, Digital System, Sports and Culture; the Committee on Regional Development, Environmental Protection and Agro-Industrial Policy; the Committee on International Affairs, as well as their chairmen and deputies.

Before the first meeting of the Halk Maslahaty, the Head of state announced his decision to appoint eight members of the Halk Maslahaty in accordance with article 78 of the Constitution of Turkmenistan.

Thus, according to the results of the elections of members of the Halk Maslahaty of the Milli Gengesh held on March 28, 2021, only 48 members were elected in the country, and 8 members were appointed by the decree of the President of Turkmenistan.

During the first joint session of the National Council, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov made a speech in which he outlined the priority areas of activity of the bicameral Parliament of our country.