Arkadag City – Global Model of a Sustainable City
Turkmenistan pursues foreign policy based on the principles of positive neutrality, peace-loving, open doors, good neighborliness and equally beneficial cooperation. In this regards, fruitful cooperation of Turkmenistan with the United Nations Organization, which is built on the principles of strategic partnership and which has received new content at modern stage, is worth to be mentioned. At present time, our state is a member of number of structural divisions of the United Nations, under which it carries out its activity. Partnership with other big international and regional organizations is also developed steadily. Development of multilateral cooperation in strategic subjects of international agenda such as climate change, environment protection, rational nature management, provision of ecological safety is one of the main vectors of foreign course of our country. Large-scale work is carried out and important initiatives that have received wide support of international community are put forward from the tribune of the UN and other competent international organizations aimed at activation of multilateral partnership, as well as implementation of joint long-term programs and projects. This is clearly testified by awarding of the International Certificate to Ashgabat for assistance and contribution to the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe Trees in Cities Challenge through landscaping actions, which is another international recognition of our country’s achievements in the field of ecology and environmental protection. Implementation of the standards of green economy, compliance with high ecological requirements in all spheres of activity are integral factors of achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. As is known, in March 2023, a delegation of Turkmenistan participated in the high-level meeting of the UN General Assembly on the transition to zero waste as a transformative solution in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. The meeting was attended by the high-level delegations of the Member States and the heads of relevant specialized agencies of the UN system. At the meeting, our country underlined the importance of consolidating the efforts of the world community to develop circular economy models that minimize the impact on the environment and thus contribute to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. In this regard, Arkadag city that is located 30 kilometers southwest of Ashgabat has huge importance. The city has been built in one of the ancient places, in the picturesque foothills of the Kopetdag, where the glorious history of our ancestors began. The decision to build it taken at the initiative of our Hero Arkadag, the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty and today it has become one of the brightest manifestations of the dynamic development of our Motherland. Arkadag city is intended to become a major scientific, educational, cultural and international center of our country. As it is known, its construction is carried out on the basis of advanced methods in the field of architecture and urban planning, with the practical implementation of high environmental standards and “green” technologies. The appearance of a new city on the map of our country is of great interest in the world community, which fully meets the high standards of modern world urbanism. Arkadag city clearly reflects the rapid socio-economic development of Turkmenistan and the centuries-old rich historical and cultural traditions of the Turkmen people. It is important to note that the first «smart» city of Arkadag in Turkmenistan joined the project «Development of sustainable, green, climate-friendly cities with innovative solutions in the OSCE region». The corresponding certificate was presented to our highly respected President by the OSCE General Secretary. As is known, with participation of our highly respected President the second phase of construction of Arkadag city has been launched with solemn ceremony. During the ceremony, modern, environmentally friendly vehicles such as electric buses, electric cars, municipal equipment and specialized service vehicles were given to the institutions of the city of state importance. The city of Arkadag will become the first city in our country where public environmentally friendly electric transport will operate. Moreover, along with other important events Arkadag city will host the first investment forum in its history called "Arkadag - Smart City", organized by the Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs of Turkmenistan. It is expected that representatives of over two hundred private companies, large international organizations and banks from various countries of the world will take part in the event. The forum will demonstrate the investment potential of the first city of state importance in Turkmenistan. An exhibition of products made by representatives of domestic business will also be organized on the sidelines of the international investment forum. Thus, this young city will become another symbol of great contribution of our country to practical implementation of Sustainable Development Goals.
Gapbar Hallyyev,
Lecturer of the Institute of International Relations
of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan