Today, with the participation of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, it was held a ceremony of opening the Mary-Turkmenabat section of the Ashgabat-Turkmenabat high-speed highway. This significant event clearly demonstrates the dynamic development of the country’s transportation system.

The head of state arrived at the capital’s International Airport, from where he directed to Lebap velayat.

The far-sighted initiatives of the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty Hero-Arkadag, aimed at modernizing road construction, constructing modern highways, and developing international transport corridors, are now being successfully implemented under the wise leadership of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov.

In this regard, it should be noted that necessary work is being carried out to consistently increase freight and passenger transportation volumes by strengthening the industry’s material and technical infrastructure, introducing advanced technologies, and reconstructing and modernizing existing highways.

The country’s transport strategy is based on the revival of the ancient Silk Road, which ran through our country and, throughout history, united East and West, fostering trade and the mutual enrichment of cultures. Today, Turkmenistan strives to revive this historical legacy, emphasizing the importance of transport corridors and logistics for the economic growth of the entire region. The Ashgabat-Turkmenabat highway plays a key role in the successful implementation of this objective.

As is known, construction of this 600-kilometer highway began in 2019. The first section of this high-speed highway, Ashgabat-Tejen, was commissioned in 2021, and the Tejen-Mary section in 2024.

The construction of the Ashgabat-Turkmenabat high-speed highway not only facilitates the country’s integration into the global transportation system but is also crucial for the development of international transport corridors.

The transportation sector is a key component of the global economy and plays a vital role in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals adopted by the United Nations.

Turkmenistan is actively developing cooperation with the UN in the field of transport, making a significant contribution to coordinating the international community’s efforts to effectively address pressing contemporary challenges. Particular importance is attached to multilateral cooperation with this authoritative organization. A clear example of this is the Third UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs) held in the Avaza National Tourist Zone in August 2025.

It is worth noting that, at the initiative of Turkmenistan, the UN General Assembly has unanimously adopted a number of resolutions over the years aimed at significantly strengthening cooperation in the transport sector.

These include resolutions on “The Role of Transport and Transit Corridors in Ensuring International Cooperation for Sustainable Development”, “Towards Comprehensive Interoperability between All Modes of Transport to Promote Sustainable Multimodal Transit Corridors”, and “Strengthening the Links between All Modes of Transport to Achieve the Sustainable Development Goals”. Furthermore, November 26 of each year was officially declared “World Sustainable Transport Day”.

Furthermore, on December 15, 2025, the General Assembly Resolution “United Nations Decade of Sustainable Transport (2026–2035)” was adopted. This document is a logical continuation of Turkmenistan’s policy aimed at uniting the efforts of the international community in addressing pressing issues on the global agenda.

...Sometime later, the plane of the head of state landed at Turkmenabat International Airport.

There, the President of Turkmenistan received a warm welcome.

Artists and creative groups from the region performed inspiring musical compositions.

Arkadagly Hero Serdar then flew by helicopter to the opening ceremony of the high-speed highway.

After awhile, the head of state arrived at the ceremony site.

Everyone enthusiastically welcomed President Serdar Berdimuhamedov.

The festive atmosphere was enhanced by vibrant musical performances by cultural figures celebrating the large-scale transformations taking place in our country. The head of state entered a hall specially equipped for the ceremony.

Addressing the numerous participants, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov noted that state programs for the development of the regions of our independent homeland are being successfully implemented. We are currently once again witnessing large-scale work being carried out as part of the country’s socio-economic development.

Emphasizing that today we are participating in the opening ceremony of the Mary-Turkmenabat section of the Ashgabat-Turkmenabat high-speed highway, the head of state heartily congratulated everyone on this joyous occasion.

As noted, our ancestors bequeathed such noble traditions as road construction and bridge building. Today, these glorious deeds are being worthy of continuation as part of the development of the country’s road transport sector. Important large-scale projects are being successfully implemented. The road transport system is expanding in the East-West and North-South directions.

Particular importance is attached to the modernization of road transport infrastructure, which unites states, peoples, and regions, as well as the systematic construction of modern highways. Our neutral Fatherland is currently consistently developing transport diplomacy and establishing effective cooperation in this area with the international community, neighboring states, and partner countries. It is also actively participating in major joint transport projects and proposing important international initiatives.

The implementation of such large-scale projects in the first year of the United Nations Decade of Sustainable Transport is evidence of our successes, achieved with the speed of a steed, the head of state emphasized.

“Since ancient times, an important section of the Great Silk Road, which once united continents, ran through our country. We are currently making every effort to restore this route in a modern format. In this context, the construction of the Ashgabat-Turkmenabat high-speed highway is also of great importance,” the Turkmen leader noted.

As is known, in early 2019, Hero-Arkadag launched construction of the Ashgabat-Turkmenabat highway. Two sections of this highway, totaling 600 kilometers, have been commissioned: Ashgabat-Tejen and Tejen-Mary. Today, all work on this high-speed highway is fully completed, the head of state stated.

President Serdar Berdimuhamedov continued by emphasizing that the construction of the modern highway was carried out by members of the Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs to a high standard. This international-standard highway consists of six lanes and fully complies with international standards.

All necessary conditions for passengers and drivers have been created along the new highway. Numerous bridges, drainage systems, special crossings, and gas stations have been built according to international standards to ensure road safety. Vehicle maintenance monitoring and management systems are in place.

The head of state noted with satisfaction that the high-speed highway connecting Ahal, Mary, and Lebap velayats with the capital of our country would ensure the transportation of passengers and cargo in a very short time. The capacity of the country’s transport system and the quality of logistics services will significantly improve. This would gain a powerful momentum to regional development and the further growth of the state’s economic power, Arkadagly Hero Serdar emphasized, expressing his firm confidence that this would serve to expand trade, economic, cultural, and humanitarian relations with neighboring countries located along the Great Silk Road.

In conclusion, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov once again warmly congratulated those gathered on the opening of the Mary-Turkmenabat section, marking the achievements of the year “Independent Neutral Turkmenistan – Homeland of Purposeful Winged Steeds”, and wished them sound health, family well-being, and great success in their work.

“May your road be bright!” the head of Turkmenistan concluded his speech with these inspiring words, met with thunderous applause from everyone.

A video was then shown detailing the progress of construction of the Mary-Turkmenabat section of the high-speed highway.

Then, the floor was given to representatives of reputable international organizations participating in the ceremony.

First to speak was Luis Felipe Duc Villegas, Director of Commercial Marketing for the French company Grenobloise D'Elektronique et D’Automatismes (GEA), who warmly congratulated the head of state on the opening the Mary-Turkmenabat section of the Ashgabat-Turkmenabat high-speed highway, emphasizing the importance of this large-scale project.

“We highly value our cooperation with Turkmenistan and are confident that this project will make a significant contribution to the development of the country’s modern infrastructure,” the business representative emphasized, confirming the company’s readiness for further participation in future infrastructure projects.

Luis Felipe Duc Villegas then presented international certificates confirming compliance with high quality standards and international requirements for video surveillance and payment systems; ISO 9001, which confirms the quality management system’s compliance with high standards of design, production, installation, and maintenance; ISO 27001 – ensures a high level of data protection, including personal and financial information, as well as infrastructure protection from cyber threats; ISO 14001 – confirms a responsible approach to environmental management systems on high-speed highways, ensuring minimal environmental impact; ISO 10012 is an international standard establishing requirements for measurement management systems, ensuring high accuracy of measuring equipment, the correct functioning of management systems, and the transparency and fairness of all processes.

In conclusion, Luis Felipe Duque Villegas once again warmly congratulated President Serdar Berdimuhamedov and the entire Turkmen people on this significant historical event.

Then, Dong Guosen, a representative of the Chinese company Shandong Jiangfeng New Material Technology Co., Ltd., spoke. Having warmly congratulated President Serdar Berdimuhamedov and all the participants of the ceremony on the opening of the Mary-Turkmenabat section of the Ashgabat-Turkmenabat high-speed highway, the guest noted that it was a great honor for him to act as a representative of Shandong Jiangfeng New Material Technology Co., Ltd.

Expressing confidence that the implementation of this project would significantly contribute to improving the safety and sustainability of the country’s road infrastructure, Dong Guosen confirmed commitment of Shandong Jiangfeng New Material Technology Co., Ltd. to further cooperation on future infrastructure projects in Turkmenistan and presented a certificate confirming that the design and calculations of the road metal barriers fully comply with international safety requirements.

The engineering solutions and materials used during construction are characterized by high strength, flexibility, and durability, fully complying with international standards, including ISO 1461, EN 1317, and generally accepted international road safety norms.

In conclusion, Dong Guosen once again sincerely congratulated President Serdar Berdimuhamedov and the Turkmen people on the successful implementation of this important project.

On the eve of the celebration Arkadagly Hero Serdar warmly spoke with the honorary elders and inquired about their well-being and mood.

Then, the head of state ceremoniously cut the symbolic ribbon to the applause of those gathered.

The Mary-Turkmenabat section of the Ashgabat-Turkmenabat high-speed highway consists of six traffic lanes. The roadway width is 34.5 meters, with a carriageway width of 11.25 meters on each side and a traffic zone of 3.75 meters.

To increase its load-bearing capacity, the new highway features a multi-layered roadbed and road surfaces made of modern materials – high-quality asphalt concrete, synthetic fabric, mesh, and other materials that enhance the strength of the road’s structural layers.

The highway is constructed to high standards, and is lined with parking lots and rest areas for drivers and passengers, a gas station, and other facilities. The highway infrastructure includes several road control posts equipped with modern technology, maintenance stations, and roadside service departments. Traffic is managed by a dedicated system that uses continuous video surveillance to collect, store, and transmit all traffic data and information to the road supervision service.

…After the opening of the Mary-Turkmenabat section, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, having blessed the start of traffic, drove onto the highway.

Along the way, the head of state was warmly welcomed by participants of the celebration.

Musical performances by creative groups were held along the highway.

Traffic, including heavy-duty vehicles, has resumed on the Mary-Turkmenabat section of the Ashgabat-Turkmenabat high-speed highway. This section was opened and commissioned with the blessing of the country’s President as a result of the implementation of major highway construction projects in the era of the Revival of the new epoch of the powerful state.

A wedding cortege, festively decorated, also passed through.

Relying on the noble initiatives of Hero-Arkadag and the wise leadership of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, the national heritage and traditions, rooted in the depths of centuries, are today harmoniously enriched in keeping with the spirit of the times and seamlessly integrated with the country’s celebratory events and holidays.

All this infuse a special flavor to the celebration, serving as a clear confirmation of the Turkmen people’s unwavering commitment to their rich cultural heritage and age-old traditions, which have been worthy of continuation in the new historical era. Unique tangible and intangible assets reflect the centuries-old historical and cultural experience of the Turkmen people and serve as vivid evidence of the significant contribution of their ancestors to the development of world civilization.

The head of state toured the event site located along the Mary-Turkmenabat highway, where theatrical performances showcased the richness of national traditions and cultural heritage. The site also featured elegantly decorated yurts and steaming cauldrons, which traditional national dishes were being cooked in.

Particular attention at the festival was given to the Ahalteke horses – the faithful companions of our people. Turkmens are bearers of a multifaceted cultural heritage, which Ahalteke horses and the art of horse breeding occupy a worthy place in. Developed over centuries, these “heavenly” racehorses are rightfully considered to be one of the finest breeds in the world. The noble work of Hero-Arkadag, aimed at preserving and enhancing the glory of the Ahalteke horses, is successfully continued today by President Serdar Berdimuhamedov.

A variety of folk crafts were also on display: decorative, applied, and fine arts reflecting the distinctive culture of the people. National wrestling competitions and traditional games aroused great interest among the participants. All this was accompanied by music, folk and wedding songs, lyrical “lyale” chants, and joyful laughter. Along with the construction of international and national highways, intensive work is underway on the construction of regional and inter-etrap roads. This creates thousands of additional jobs in all regions, improves communications between the regions, increases the flow of foreign transit vehicles through Turkmenistan, and enhances traffic safety. These achievements are a clear result of the policy pursued under the leadership of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov in the era of the Revival of the new epoch of the powerful state. This policy is aimed at transforming the Motherland, located at the crossroads of the continent’s most important trade routes, into a major international transport and transit corridor.

At the ceremony, members of the Cabinet of Ministers warmly congratulated the President of Turkmenistan and Hero-Arkadag on this significant event.

As emphasized, the implementation of this large-scale project is clear confirmation that the noble traditions of our ancestors – the construction of roads and bridges – are worthy of continuation in the modern era.

The head of state thanked everyone for their congratulations and particularly noted the importance of the Ashgabat-Turkmenabat high-speed highway as one of the country’s key transport infrastructure projects. He also congratulated everyone on the opening of the modern highway.

Following the ceremony, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov bid a warm farewell to the participants of the opening ceremony of the Mary-Turkmenabat section of the Ashgabat-Turkmenabat high-speed highway and departed by helicopter to Turkmenabat International Airport, where from he departed for the capital.

Sometime later, plane of the head of state landed at Ashgabat International Airport, where he was met by officials.

Thus, the current celebration served as further confirmation of the creation of all the necessary conditions in the country for the development of domestic and international transport connectivity, as well as the consistent implementation of large-scale initiatives to revive the Great Silk Road in a modern format. This will facilitate the development of the national economy by increasing transit traffic through Turkmenistan and will make a significant contribution to the sustainable development of countries in the region.

Also today, a celebratory sadaqah was held to celebrate the opening of the Mary-Turkmenabat section of the high-speed highway.