The President of Turkmenistan speaking at the Council of Elders emphasized that since 2008 the Council plays an important role in the scheme of things. There were often proposals by the citizens to change the legal status of the Council with a view to improving its activities and expanding its functions. The head of state announced the decision to transform and rename the Council of Elders to the People's Council in order to enhance the role in the society’s life and allow people from all levels of the population to be included in it and ensure greater involvement of citizens in the political life of the country.