The President emphasised the need to ensure that economic growth translates into improved household incomes, citing government programmes such as Operation Wealth Creation and the Parish Development Model (PDM).
“Can you have a strong army and a strong and safe country without a strong economy? Can you have a strong defence force and a strong and safe country without cohesive politics? Finally, can you have a strong defence force and a strong and safe country without, in some cases, addressing the issue of geo-strategic location such as being landlocked?” President Museveni asked.
Türk pointed to severe restrictions on education, employment, freedom of movement and participation in public life, alongside strict dress rules and the complete exclusion of women from public decision-making. Fresh decrees issued this year make it more difficult for a woman to separate from a spouse and implicitly authorise child marriage and violence against women and children.
In 2024 alone, at least 1,945 people were killed and 4,325 injured by landmines and explosive remnants of war, with the highest casualty levels recorded in Myanmar, Syria, Afghanistan, Ukraine, Nigeria, Mali, Yemen, and Burkina Faso.
Serdarow further briefed President Museveni on Turkmenistan’s economic potential, highlighting the country’s vast natural gas and oil reserves, which have positioned it as one of Central Asia’s major energy exporters.