On June 29, ceremonial events and a celebratory conference took place to mark the second anniversary of the founding of the city of Arkadag—a tangible symbol of the era of revival in a new epoch of a powerful state.
The commissioning of this unique metropolis, granted special legal status as a city of national significance by law, is the outcome of grand transformations underway in Turkmenistan. These reforms were initiated by the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow, and are being consistently advanced under the leadership of President Serdar Berdimuhamedow.
This new city, built in one of the most ancient corners of Turkmen land—where the proud history of our ancestors began—is a showcase example of a smart city. Digital, ICT, and green technologies are integrated into its operations. Here, the finest traditions of national architecture harmoniously blend with contemporary trends in design and architecture. The comprehensive infrastructure, meeting international standards—including in environmental protection—ensures optimal comfort and convenience for its residents.
In the past two years, Arkadag has received prestigious international certificates and awards recognizing its high performance in smart urban programs, innovation, and ecological standards.
Last year, the city was honored with the top award at the World Smart City Expo 2024 in the Republic of Korea—“For Outstanding Achievement in Smart City”—along with international awards for “Foreign Smart City” and “For Significant Contribution to the World Smart City Expo 2024.” It also received the “Choice of Quality‑2024” Diamond Category award from the European Society for Quality Research in Vienna. These accolades reflect Arkadag’s growing prestige as a leading smart city in the region and worldwide.
As is well-known, the construction of Arkadag is planned in two phases. Currently, the second phase is underway. Once completed, new industrial facilities forming a modern industrial cluster—and social infrastructure such as a children’s entertainment park, Arkadag Mosque, and more—will be commissioned.
In the first phase, 336 buildings were constructed: two- and multi-story comfortable residential houses, public, educational, medical and cultural facilities, sports complexes, and engineering systems.
All work has been completed to high quality and meets world standards. Educational institutions have implemented digital systems, and homes are equipped with smart‑home systems. Custom software ensures smooth operation and provides detailed information on all controlled devices.
Particular attention was paid to environmental aspects: eco-friendly materials were used in construction. Arkadag has received a certificate joining the “Development of Sustainable, Green, Climate‑Friendly Cities with Innovative Solutions in the OSCE Region” project, and a Certificate of Excellence from Hangzhou Dianzi University as a prominent “green,” eco‑friendly city.
A comprehensive set of measures ensures the new city’s ecological cleanliness. Numerous trees and flowers were planted along streets and in adjacent areas, and environmentally conscious transport infrastructure was developed. Broad and spacious avenues, roads, and intersections are equipped with modern lighting, surveillance, and management systems.
With the implementation of a fiber-optic communications system, high-speed Internet has become available. A 4G cellular network has also been installed to ensure quality mobile coverage.
It is noteworthy that on the eve of the anniversary, during another visit to Arkadag, the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty and Hero-Arkadag, gave his blessing for the introduction of 5G technology into the city’s communications and Internet systems to mark the 2nd anniversary. This decision aligns with the city’s legal status and its smart‑city concept.
5G technology is important for relevant agencies and sectors managing smart‑city and smart‑home systems, healthcare, education, industry, and agriculture—including for online conferences, AI applications, and speeding up data exchange in digital-network patient treatment.
Since its inception, the construction of Arkadag has been a focal point of attention for Hero‑Arkadag Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow. Every working visit by the National Leader includes detailed reviews of key construction sites. His thoughtful and well-considered recommendations on functionality, reliability, safety, and appearance guide the work of architects, builders, and designers.
During preparations for Phase Two, the Hero‑Arkadag stressed that modern urban planning requirements and active integration of digital technologies should shape building designs. He emphasized the President’s focus on using intellectual-property solutions and adopting cutting-edge technologies in construction and finishing work.
Naming the city’s streets, avenues, and institutions after prominent Turkmen figures instills pride. The “Ahalteke Atlary” Avenue is especially symbolic, as the region is the age-old home of Akhal-Teke horses.
The installation in Arkadag—recognized as a remarkable achievement of the large-scale urban program—of the monument of the stallion Akhan (recorded in the Guinness World Records), as well as the “Taýçanak” monument, serves as a vivid testament to the nation’s love for its celebrated horses.
Arkadag is planned as an eco-friendly and well-appointed city with electric buses and cars, smart parking, and solar and wind energy use. Local media—including a TV channel and newspaper—operate here, and a football team has been formed.
Thus, the phased implementation of a thoughtful urban development concept reflects the economic state of our nation, the cultural and spiritual life of society, its intellectual potential, core social processes and principles—all changing with the times.
Today, on the second anniversary of Arkadag’s founding, new residents received keys to comfortable apartments and houses, adding to the festive mood.
Everywhere, there is a joyful atmosphere with music and song and performances by creative ensembles.
Residents proudly shared the advantages of smart‑home technologies that ensure maximum living comfort.
For example, intelligently placed motion sensors activate lights only where a person is present. Homes have automated curtains and blinds to make more effective use of daylight and heat, controlled automatically according to time of day, season, or weather.
Security systems are remotely controllable through mobile phones or voice command, offering comprehensive home safety. Technical protections against flooding, water and gas leaks, smoke, electrical faults—that all are key functions of the smart home. The system can neutralize emergency situations on its own, promptly notify the homeowner, provide data on electricity, gas, and water consumption, and remotely adjust indoor temperature.
President Serdar Berdimuhamedow and Hero‑Arkadag were deeply thanked for their constant care for the prosperity of the Fatherland, and for creating all conditions for comfortable living, productive work, and full recreation for Turkmens. The new residents noted that thanks to the President’s initiatives, people’s lives continue to improve.
Every new technology in construction finds application in Arkadag. It is the only such city in Central Asia where, from the start, all life-support systems are managed electronically. With the implementation of the second phase, the smart city will enter a new stage of development and its history—as a city of innovation, high urban culture, and investment activity.
…In the afternoon, a celebratory conference entitled “Arkadag şäheri – röwşen geljegiň aýdyň ýoly” was held in the city’s khyakimlik (governor’s) conference hall. Participants included the Chair of the State Committee on Arkadag Construction under the President of Turkmenistan; leaders and representatives of the khyakimlik administration; institutions and sectoral agencies of the new city; the private sector; respected elders; elderly mothers; and media.
In President Serdar Berdimuhamedow’s welcoming address to Arkadag residents, he emphasized that today, thanks to the wisdom of Hero‑Arkadag, a happy life thrives in the new city. Under the smart‑city concept, social-purpose buildings, high-comfort residential homes, ministries’ branches, sectoral agencies, banks, and other important facilities have been constructed. The city has wide avenues, modern lighting and management systems, and residents and guests are served by contemporary transport.
With legal status as a city of national importance, it demonstrates Turkmenistan’s successes in international cooperation to the world. Evidence of this is the holding of international forums, conferences, festivals, competitions, and large cultural events here. “We will continue, for the benefit of our people, the construction of the second phase of this city, which glorifies our Homeland with its beauty and modernity,” reads the President’s message.
Forum participants underscored that President Serdar Berdimuhamedow’s successful socio-economic strategy, industrialization of the national economy, and development of industrial sectors allow our country to invest large funds in large-scale urban development. Modern cities, towns, villages, science and education facilities, healthcare, culture, and production enterprises are systematically being commissioned. The face of the Fatherland is transforming and becoming more beautiful daily. All this shows our independent country confidently following the path of progress and prosperity.
They noted that among the significant achievements of our strong state is the city of Arkadag, whose construction was initiated by the National Leader of the Turkmen people. The project’s launch in 2019 has, thanks to Hero‑Arkadag’s constant attention and support, resulted today in our country’s first smart city taking on a splendid appearance.
The decision to build industrial facilities in Arkadag is another clear demonstration of the Government of Turkmenistan’s focus on strengthening the national economy and ensuring the welfare and happiness of its people. Accelerating socio-economic development in the modern era is a key direction of state policy. Important tasks include developing the material-technical base of all spheres, preparing skilled personnel, and promoting healthy lifestyles.
Broad involvement of private companies in urban construction and implementing national programs is a key policy vector in supporting entrepreneurship. Members of the Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs are working on hundreds of industrial, social, and cultural facilities across the country. Over 50 domestic companies and individual enterprises are participating in Phase Two of Arkadag’s development. Domestic and leading foreign firms are involved in constructing the medical cluster.
Forum delegates confirmed that healthcare facilities in the new city meet international standards. The healthcare system includes several medical facilities: a multidisciplinary hospital; a children’s wellness-rehabilitation center; an oncology center; a mother-and-child care center; an emergency care center; and a clinic. Altogether, they not only modernize the healthcare system but also help turn Turkmenistan into a regional medical hub.
As part of creating a medical cluster, the “Arkadag Medisina Klasteri Menejment” enterprise was opened, producing in-demand medical items daily from local raw materials that meet international quality standards. Its products are registered internationally, with trademarks certified by the World Intellectual Property Organization’s International Bureau.
Recall that in March 2021, at the initiative and through the efforts of Hero‑Arkadag, the charitable fund named after Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow was created in Arkadag to support children needing care and to ensure their happy lives.
During the forum, there was an exchange of views on key issues of digital and green transformation for sustainable development. It was stressed that advanced technologies open new opportunities for economic growth, public-service management, and have great potential for improving natural resource management.
It was noted that one of the main requirements for constructing the many facilities of this modern metropolis was the use of environmentally clean materials to provide a favorable living environment.
Forum participants expressed confidence that Arkadag will become not only a comfortable and cozy place to live but also a center for science and technology, education, sports, broad international business partnerships, and the creative potential of youth.
At the conclusion of the celebratory conference, participants adopted a gratitude address to President Serdar Berdimuhamedow.
The forum also featured an exhibition showcasing various products and developments, with information and photos highlighting the city’s architectural features, the implementation of digital infrastructure, and innovative technologies.
Among the special exhibits were the international certificates awarded to Arkadag, and the books of Hero‑Arkadag and the Arkadagly Hero, Serdar.
…In the evening, performances by national artists and foreign performers took place on Arkadag Square.
The magnificent overture was the composition “Ýaşa, mähriban Arkadag!” performed by the folklore ensemble “Dokmaçylar,” reflecting the depth of love and respect of the Turkmen people for Hero‑Arkadag Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow, blending song, music, and dance.
It was followed by the literary-musical composition “Gahryman Arkadagymyz – halkyň ykbalyna nur‑çyragymyz!” performed by soloists, the choir of the Magtymguly Turkmen National Conservatory of Music, and creative groups from around the country including Arkadag, praising the wisdom of Hero‑Arkadag, whose foresight laid a firm foundation of peace and harmony in the Homeland.
Young talents from children’s folklore groups “Şowhun,” “Şatlyk,” “Ruhubelent çagalar” of the city, and the violin ensemble “Mukam” offered an immersive experience in folk art. The pure and heartfelt rendition of “Biz bagtyň gujagynda” brought joy, conveying the beauty and authenticity of national folklore.
Each performance included congratulations and warm wishes for Hero‑Arkadag Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow—initiator of progressive reforms and innovative urban policies. Words of devoted love for the sovereign Homeland and acknowledgment of the President’s achievements in the modern era were heard.
Songs and melodies performed at the concert harmonized with visuals of Arkadag’s nature and landmarks. Artists and young performers sung about the achievements of the era of revival, devotion to the Homeland.
Dance compositions and popular melodies performed by foreign artists from the Republic of Tatarstan, Bashkortostan (Russian Federation), Turkey, and Uzbekistan added to the festive spirit.
A special highlight was national artist of Turkmenistan P. Amandurdyýew performing the Hero‑Arkadag’s song “Kalbymda sen.” The audience listened with great enthusiasm to the song about women’s happiness, fidelity, maternal love, and the homeland’s beauty.
Also performed for the first time was the Hero‑Arkadag’s song “Garaşyp ýazlaryň joşan wagtyna,” enriching the event as a pleasant gift to all.
The powerful final chord of the celebration was the song “Gahryman Serdarly bagtly halkymyz, ýaşa, ýaşa, gahryman Arkadagymyz!” performed collectively by all participants.
The concert commemorating Arkadag’s second anniversary was a true national festivity. Modern lighting equipment casting colorful glows set an irresistible celebratory rhythm.
