Arkadag, 4 June 2023 (TDI): On June 30, 2023, the city of Arkadag hosted an international media forum, organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the State Committee of Turkmenistan for Television, Broadcasting, and Cinematography.
The event brought together more than 100 participants, including heads of academic circles, chief editors of the country’s news agencies, representatives from international organizations, and accredited foreign media.
The forum aimed to celebrate and cover the opening of the “smart-city” Arkadag, emphasizing its role as a model of sustainable development and innovation in Turkmenistan.
Turkmenistan’s Smart City
During the forum’s first session, titled “The City of Arkadag – the first smart city in the Region,” speakers such as Ilyas Demirci, the Secretary General of the Union of Engineers and Architects of the Turkic World, and Aymurad Muhammedov, the vice-rector of the Oguzhan University of Engineering and Technology, praised the city’s architectural and planning culture.
They highlighted Arkadag’s implementation of a single intelligent network, incorporating real-time data collection on various systems, from traffic to ecology.
Based on the “smart city” concept, the city’s construction demonstrates a thoughtful integration of digital and green technologies, aligning with the “New Urban Agenda” set by the UN Conference on Housing and Sustainable Urban Development Habitat-III.
Promoting Ecological Culture in Innovative Urban Planning
The session “Emergence of ecological culture in the system of innovative urban planning” saw esteemed speakers like Oyunchimeg Amartuvshin from the Global Institute of Green Growth and Barbara Dietrich, CEO of the Institute Diplomatic World Institute, discuss Arkadag’s significance in promoting sustainable urban development.
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Participants emphasized how the city’s planning took into account social aspects such as inclusiveness, diversity, and cultural heritage, as well as environmental concerns.
Arkadag’s use of environmentally friendly materials in construction earned it a certificate for joining the project “Development of sustainable, green, climate-friendly cities with innovative solutions in the region of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe.”
Arkadag, Developing Paradigm of Healthy Cities
In the session titled “Gaining the Importance of the City of Arkadag in the developing paradigm of ‘healthy cities,'” speakers such as Ogulmyahri Geldyeva from the Ministry of Health and Medical Industry of Turkmenistan praised Arkadag’s pioneering role in addressing environmental problems and integrating innovative technologies for healthy urban living.
The city’s focus on a healthy lifestyle was evident in its unique natural environment, abundant sports facilities, medical centers, and the multifunctional Children’s Health and Rehabilitation Center named after Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov.
Call for Cooperation
At the end of the forum, speakers held a press approach to summarize the discussions and express their views on fostering cooperation in the development and implementation of smart, sustainable, and environmentally friendly cities.
The participants acknowledged the significance of Arkadag as a leading example in Turkmenistan and expressed their commitment to further collaboration in this area.
