“During the years of independence, Ashgabat has radically changed and transformed. We invest significant funds to transform the Turkmen capital into one of the most prosperous cities in the world. In our white-marble city, where the most advanced practices, engineering and technical solutions are successfully combined with the traditions of national architecture, we implement large-scale programmes,” President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov said in his congratulatory Address on the occasion of the 140th anniversary of Ashgabat.

“Currently, within the framework of the capital development program, we build up Ashgabat with modern residential complexes, hotels, shopping and entertainment centers, social and cultural facilities. In recent years, many parks and squares have been laid in the capital. We attach great importance to developing and beautifying Ashgabat.

“Our main goal is to transform the architectural look of Ashgabat, create favorable conditions for life, work and rest of Ashgabat residents, increase the level of social security of the population, create new jobs, improve the service system, and keep the city in order and clean.

“Our capital has a glorious history, rich past. Ashgabat, which today turns 140 years old, is located in a picturesque corner - between the green foothills of the Kopetdag Mountains and the wide open spaces of the Karakum Desert. Ashgabat, erected on a plain, on one side of which are the ancient peaks of the Kopetdag Mountains, and on the other - beautiful golden sands, is a symbolic embodiment of the centuries-old dream of the Turkmen people about a sovereign state. We love our capital with all our hearts, we are proud of it, as loving children are proud of their parents. Ashgabat is the beginning of all our great achievements! Ashgabat is the people’s pride, we dedicate songs to our capital!

“The 140th anniversary of Ashgabat is celebrated on the year of the 30th anniversary of the independence of Turkmenistan. These two significant dates will be inscribed in golden letters in the history of the Turkmen state, they personify the people's love for the Motherland, inspiring them to new achievements.

“A number of modern buildings of the capital, erected within the framework of a large-scale architectural and urban planning programme, are included in the Guinness Book of Records! Ashgabat itself, as the city with the largest number of white-marble buildings, took a worthy place in this prestigious publication. This fact contributed to the growth of the international prestige of our white city.

“Today, Ashgabat has numerous cultural facilities - modern libraries, cinemas, museums, cultural centers, cultural and entertainment centers, parks and concert halls. It hosts international conferences, exhibitions, symposia, festivals. Thus, our beautiful capital is becoming a land of friendship and brotherhood, peace and solidarity.

“We will continue developing and improving Ashgabat, turning it into one of the most beautiful cities on the planet,” President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov said in his congratulatory Address on the occasion of the 140th anniversary of Ashgabat.