On June 3, World Bicycle Day was widely celebrated in Turkmenistan. President Serdar Berdimuhamedov took part in a mass bike ride held in the capital on the occasion of this international holiday.
In the era of the Renaissance of a new era of a powerful state, World Bicycle Day, which has taken a worthy place in the national calendar, inspires and unites our compatriots who demonstrate a commitment to a healthy lifestyle.
The mass physical culture and sports movement, possessing a powerful unifying force, contributes to the strengthening of the physical and spiritual health of the population. Such events are called upon to strengthen mutual understanding and friendly relations in society, national unity, to cultivate such qualities as patriotism and responsibility, to promote the principles of a healthy lifestyle among young people, and to develop a sports culture.
Comprehensive care for the well-being of our people is defined as a priority direction of the state policy of our independent neutral Fatherland. In this regard, special attention is paid to protecting the health of the population, developing a mass physical culture and health movement, and promoting a healthy lifestyle.
In accordance with the State Program "Saglyk" developed under the leadership of Hero Arkadag, large-scale activities are being carried out in the country to improve the health of Turkmen citizens, increase their life expectancy, develop physical education and sports, and introduce the principles of a healthy lifestyle.
Thanks to the policy implemented by President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, promoting the high ideals of friendship and peace, sports and humanism, strengthening the unity and cohesion of peoples, our country has become a venue for international sporting events.
The proclamation of June 3 as World Bicycle Day on the initiative of Turkmenistan, the unanimous adoption of the Resolution “Implementation of mass cycling into public transport systems to achieve sustainable development” at the 61st plenary meeting of the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly, as well as the announcement of Ashgabat as “City of New Sports Opportunities of the Commonwealth” in accordance with the relevant Decision of the Council of Heads of Government of the Commonwealth of Independent States, the meeting of which was successfully held in the Turkmen capital, testify to the fact that the work carried out in the country to develop sports is receiving increasing recognition from the world community.
Sports diplomacy and ways of using its potential are reflected in the Concept of Activities and Priorities of Turkmenistan within the framework of the International Year of Peace and Trust. According to the Concept, this year, marked by the 30th anniversary of the permanent neutrality of the Fatherland, it is envisaged to take measures to intensify contacts in this area, hold international sports events, including the UN Friendship Games, initiated by our country.
...It is necessary to note the symbolism of the starting point of the bike ride organized on the occasion of the holiday – the capital's Health Path.
The Chairman of the Mejlis, members of the Government, heads of ministries and industry departments, the city administration, public organizations, mass media, and rectors of higher education institutions gathered here. Heads and representatives of diplomatic missions of international organizations accredited in the country are also taking part in the bike ride.
Among those gathered were students of the Döwletliler köşgi Palace, students of the School for the Preparation of Young Olympians and comprehensive schools, members of the Turkmenistan national cycling team, student youth, and representatives of the public.
Everyone greets President Serdar Berdimuhamedov with great enthusiasm. Masters of the arts perform a song and music composition glorifying the Motherland, sports, healthy lifestyle, and the current happy era.
The head of state gives the start to the mass bike ride, and the column of participants begins moving along the route that runs along the capital's Archabil and Bitarap Turkmenistan avenues.
Today, cycling is gaining more and more followers in the world. World Bicycle Day is a holiday that unites countries and peoples, promotes the widespread popularization of this sport and the promotion of environmental culture in society.
Using a bicycle as the main means of transportation helps reduce carbon dioxide emissions into the environment, thereby ensuring environmental well-being. In the current climate change environment, the transition to environmentally friendly modes of transport is one of the important tasks. In this regard, the bicycle is one of the most effective and accessible modes of transport, with a number of additional advantages.
Cycling opens up new horizons for tourism, allowing you to combine physical activity with outdoor recreation at any time of year. This sport is available to people of all ages. Regular cycling helps strengthen the human cardiovascular system and overall endurance. Cycling and bike rides are great leisure activities, including family or friends.
Cycling has a positive effect on the healthy development of children, promotes their social adaptation and helps them find new friends with whom they can go for walks and share experiences.
Strengthening children's health in Turkmenistan is a priority. Particular attention is paid to our young citizens who need support from the state. Large-scale activities in this direction are carried out by the Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov Charitable Foundation for Assistance to Children in Need of Guardianship, created on the initiative of the Hero-Arkadag.
A bicycle is not just a means of transportation, but also a symbol of a sustainable and environmentally friendly lifestyle. Its regular use makes it possible to reduce harm to the environment and improve public health. In light of global environmental challenges, a bicycle as a means of transportation is an important step towards creating a cleaner, safer and healthier future for all. Such mass events, by drawing attention to the development of cycling and environmental issues, inspire people to choose this efficient and useful means of transport.
Over the millennia, the Turkmen people have developed unique traditions of caring for nature, living in harmony with it. As a result of annual greening campaigns, the area of green spaces in the capital and throughout the country is expanding. The forest zones and parks created have a beneficial effect on the local microclimate.
Today, as a result of the noble undertakings of Hero Arkadag in the field of ecology, issues of careful preservation of the nature of the Fatherland, further improvement of the environment, social and living conditions of the population are among the priority areas of state policy, carried out under the leadership of Hero Arkadagly Serdar.
In order to ensure environmental well-being at the national and global levels, a comprehensive and long-term National Forest Program is being successfully implemented in Turkmenistan. In connection with the rapid development of industrial infrastructure, transport and communications systems, the expansion of cities and the creation of new settlements, the program provides for the formation of green zones and forests. In recent years, the mass planting of tree seedlings in various parts of the country, including around the capital, has become a good tradition. Every year, during the relevant large-scale events held in the spring and autumn with the active participation of the public, millions of seedlings are planted.
Turkmenistan is also actively developing international cooperation in the field of ecology. Having joined dozens of UN environmental conventions, our country responsibly approaches the solution of the problems facing the world community in the field of sustainable development.
...Following the planned route, the caravan of cyclists continued moving along the wide avenues of the capital. The fresh air of the early morning, the magnificent views of the Kopetdag foothills, the unique architectural appearance of Ashgabat - the pearl of Asia, one of the most beautiful and comfortable cities in the world to live in - lift the spirits of the participants of the bike ride.
Sports activities help people use their time more effectively. Physical exercises have a positive effect on thinking abilities and memory, and develop such qualities as perseverance and diligence. Health is a great value not only for an individual, but also for society as a whole.
Sports play a major role in raising a physically strong and spiritually rich young generation – the future of our Motherland. The participation of the President of Turkmenistan in sports events held in the country further increases their importance.
During the bike ride, the head of state, as always, demonstrated good physical and athletic fitness.
Hero Arkadag and President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, who have designated strengthening the principles of a healthy lifestyle in society as one of the strategic directions of state policy, regularly engage in sports, setting an example for their compatriots. This inspires our athletes to win international competitions. Their success confirms the effectiveness of measures implemented in the country in this direction and increases the prestige of Turkmen sports in the international arena. The President of the National Olympic Committee of Turkmenistan, the head of state also attaches great importance to the development of the Olympic movement in our Fatherland.
The peace-loving policy of neutral Turkmenistan and the initiatives of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov can be characterized as a vivid reflection of the famous words of the founder of the modern Olympic movement Pierre de Coubertin in his "Ode to Sport", which extols the goals of peace, creation, progress, joy and a healthy lifestyle, as well as the spirit of youth, the desire to win with the words "Oh, sport! You are peace!" The motto of the Olympic Games "Faster, higher, stronger - together" confirms the important role of sport in strengthening solidarity and friendship between peoples.
The construction of the unprecedented Olympic Village in Ashgabat contributed to the rise of Turkmen sports to a qualitatively new level. It was here that the 5th Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games were successfully held in 2017, opening a new page in the history of national sports. Thanks to their holding, Turkmenistan entered the ranks of countries that have all the conditions for organizing high-level competitions, demonstrating the success of sports diplomacy implemented in the interests of global peace and prosperity. Today, our state has extensive experience in training specialized qualified specialists, improving the skills of athletes, and holding regional and world sports events.
It should be noted that Turkmenistan, famous for its historical and cultural monuments and beautiful nature, has great potential in the field of tourism. Ashgabat, striking with its unique architectural style, well-kept parks and fountains, attracts many foreign tourists.
…During the bike ride, the President of Turkmenistan instructed the Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers T. Atahallyyev, who oversees the agro-industrial complex, to keep under review the implementation of the National Forestry Program, which includes long-term tasks, in order to further improve the environmental situation in the country.
In turn, Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers B. Annamamedov, who oversees the capital, reported to President Serdar Berdimuhamedov on the measures being taken for its further development and improvement.
The head of state, drawing attention to the importance of successfully implementing the tasks outlined in the Ashgabat Development Concept, ordered that work on modernizing the city’s infrastructure, ensuring a healthy ecological environment, and creating comfortable living conditions for citizens be kept under constant control.
The head of state completed the bike ride, finishing at the Rukhyet Palace.
Here, the participants of the bike ride noted the significance of the Resolution adopted by the UN General Assembly on the initiative of Turkmenistan to declare June 3 of each year World Bicycle Day and, taking the opportunity, sincerely congratulated President Serdar Berdimuhamedov and Hero Arkadag on this wonderful holiday.
The head of state said a warm farewell to the participants of the mass bike ride, wishing them health and success.
The event on the occasion of World Bicycle Day, which occupies a worthy place in the calendar of the United Nations, united our society in achieving a common goal and once again demonstrated that Turkmenistan is a country of health and inspiration.
