One of the central historical events of 2023 in the country became the large-scale celebrations held on June 29 on the occasion of the opening of a new city of national significance Arkadag. The commissioning of this unique city is a concrete result of the grandiose transformations launched in Turkmenistan, initiated by the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslakhaty Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and consistently continued under the leadership of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov.

As numerous representatives of domestic and foreign mass media noted in their news materials, the new city, built in one of the oldest corners of the Turkmen land, where the glorious history of ancestors originates, is an illustrative sample of a smart city, in which digital, information and communication and green technologies are integrated into its life. The best traditions of national art of building and modern trends in architecture and design are harmoniously combined here. The created complex infrastructure conforming international standards, including in the environmental sphere, provides optimal comfort and convenience to residents.

Special attention is paid to the actual aspect – ecology. Thus, environmentally friendly materials were used in the construction of facilities. This is evidenced by the fact that Arkadag city was awarded a certificate of accession to the “Development of Sustainable, Geen, Climate-friendly Cities with Innovative Solutions in the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe Region” Project.

Arkadag city embodies all the newest and most progressive things in the world of urban planning and engineering and technical thought, and the implementation of a grandiose project initiated by the Hero-Arkadag is a clear confirmation of the success of the state policy implemented in Turkmenistan, focused on the comprehensive innovative development of the country, increasing its economic potential, steadily increasing the level and the quality of people’s lives. Since the foundation stone, the construction of the new city has been the focus of constant attention of the National Leader of the Turkmen people Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov.

The implementation of this megaproject is planned in two stages. As part of the completed first stage of development, 336 objects of socio-cultural and other purposes were erected. On June 16, with the participation of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, the ceremony of laying the second stage of the construction of the new city took place. At the same time, various types of motor vehicles, including electric vehicles, were donated to city institutions and organizations. Eco-friendly types of public transport – electric buses and electric taxis – will run along city highways.

The significant event that took place in our country, which will be inscribed in golden letters in the annals of the independent neutral Homeland, confidently following the path of creation and progress, once again confirmed the universally recognized status of Turkmenistan as an innovator country, an idea generator country offering the world fundamentally new, comprehensive and integrated approaches to solving urgent problems of regional and global scale, initiated by President Serdar Berdimuhamedov. All this has led to unprecedented interest from the world mass media and detailed information and analytical support of this event of great importance.

Leading international news agencies, information and analytical portals, numerous electronic publications and popular Internet sites, thanks to their capabilities, which today, in the era of high technology, have the most extensive readership, announced the opening ceremony of the unique city of Arkadag.

RIA Novosti, TASS, MIR 24, Tatar-inform, Azertaj and Trend News Agency (Azerbaijan), Anadolu (Turkey), KAZAKHSTAN TODAY, Kyrgyz News Agency 24.kg, as well as digital and print media of Central Asian countries, Iran, Pakistan, etc., including the CIS Internet Portal, SNG.TODAY, CentralAsia.news, BELTA – News of Belarus, Forpost-sevastopol.ru, Bulletin of the Caucasus were among the first to report on this grandiose event.

“Everything here is dazzling white: houses, hospitals, schools, public buildings. There is a lot of greenery, very close to the peaks of Kopetdag – this is what Arkadag city looks like, opened the day before in Turkmenistan,” Tatar-inform reported. As noted, the city was built in four years, the life of which is organized with the use of modern technologies: smart parking, electric transport, solar panels, wind generators, etc.

In the detailed comments of Tatar-inform it was reported that the opening ceremony of the city lasted almost the whole day. It was also noted that trees, mainly conifers, were planted along the Ashgabat–Arkadag highway and a drip irrigation system was organized.

The opening of the smart city of Arkadag was most actively covered by Trend News Agency (Azerbaijan): “It became a historical event and a national holiday in Turkmenistan, which aroused great interest of the international community.”

It was noted that the opening of Arkadag city was organized at the highest level. It is significant that these festivities took place during the celebration of Eid al-Adha.

As it was reported, the opening ceremony of the objects of the first stage of Arkadag city development, attended by President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, gathered representatives of the country’s public and guests from many countries of the world. The solemn event began at the Akhan monument, where creative teams performed a musical and choreographic composition, and a parade was also held. This monument captures the image of the legendary and famous Akhalteke horse Akhan, a world record holder listed in the Guinness World Records. The original sculptural composition adorning the new city, erected on the initiative of the Hero-Arkadag, is a symbol of national love for the Heavenly Horses, being the priceless heritage and pride of the nation.

“As part of the large-scale celebrations, the Flag of Turkmenistan was raised on the main square of Arkadag city to the sounds of the National Anthem, the opening ceremony of the Arkadag Monument was held. Then there was an acquaintance with cultural and household objects and residential buildings, the opening ceremony of the Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov Children’s Health and Rehabilitation Center, the presentation of awards and certificates to Arkadag city,” Trend News Agency noted.

“The smart city of Arkadag has been opened in Turkmenistan,” the article by MIR 24 correspondent Artyom Vasnev said. – This is the foothills of Kopetdag, where a real oasis – Arkadag city grew up. Ashgabat is only 30 kilometers away, almost a suburb of the capital. It turned out to be modern, progressive and eco-friendly.”

As it was noted by the MIR 24 news agency: “All buildings have electronic control systems, the so–called Smart house. Thus, the definition of a Smart city was added to Arkadag city. It was easier to implement this concept in a locality that was built from scratch. Even the traffic lights work unusually here. They switch automatically depending on city traffic. And yet – it is still the only such city on the map of Central Asia, where initially and completely all life support systems are controlled by electronic systems.”

“Snow-white and comfortable high-rise buildings have been built for people. Each apartment is equipped with a Smart home system. All payments can be made using the phone without going outside. This is especially true now, in the Turkmen heat,” the MIR 24 correspondent continued.

It was emphasized that the entire urban infrastructure is energy-efficient. Solar panels are placed all around, therefore, transport runs on electricity – both public and private. All cars are made in Türkiye. A parade was held on the occasion of the city opening. At night, Arkadag city looks even more beautiful. From a height, it resembles a Turkmen carpet – another national treasure. Illuminated drones have been launched into the sky, controlled by a special system that lines them up in the sky into three-dimensional figures. The opening ended with a festive salute. Bright colors. Everything is large-scale, as it has been the whole day. That’s the wonderful final point, the correspondent of MIR 24 noted.

The well-known Russian international information agency, RIA Novosti writes that as part of the second stage of development, which will last from 2023 to 2026, service and production facilities for the manufacture of food, industrial, pharmaceutical and medical products will be built in Arkadag city. The RIA Novosti team worked in real time, reporting in detail on the course of the grand opening ceremony of the unique city.

“The best traditions of national art of building and modern trends in architecture and design have found a harmonious combination in the appearance of the new city,” KAZAKHSTAN TODAY agency informed its readers.

Caspian Bulletin Information and Analytical Internet portal, various Internet resources of Uzbekistan – uz.sputniknews, yuz.uz , darakchi.uz , news sites of Tajikistan, including tj.sputniknews and tajikistan24.com leading news agencies and popular Internet sites, possessing in the current age of high technology a multi-million readership around the world, informed in detail about the large-scale celebrations on the occasion of the opening of the country’s first Smart Arkadag city.

Thanks to the huge organizational work carried out at the highest level, all events within the framework of this event were on open access for those who wish. Through digital technologies, the raising of the National Flag of the Homeland, a festive parade, opening ceremonies of monuments, administrative and social facilities, comfortable residential buildings, edifices of ministries and departments, branches of banks, the State Archive of Arkadag city, performances of creative teams and masters of arts, meetings were broadcast online by Turkmen television, as well as posted on leading information platforms.

Representatives of domestic and foreign mass media prepared their photo and video reports directly from the event site. Here are just some of the headlines for June 28-30 from the news feeds of various sites: “Arkadag City in Turkmenistan – an Official Opening” (CentralAsia.news), “Smart Arkadag City was opened in Turkmenistan” (Kun.uz ), “A Solemn Opening Ceremony of Arkadag city took place in Turkmenistan” (Media Zone).

The film crews of the Big Asia TV channel and the interstate Mir TV and radio company worked during the grandiose celebrations in our country.

The world press stated that the heads of international organizations and representatives of well-known foreign companies were awarded more than 20 certificates and diplomas bestowed to the new unique Arkadag city.

Among them are certificates “Green and Smart City”, “City of the 21^st Century”, “The first smart city of the Turkic world”, a certificate of quality of scientific and survey work on seismic micro districting and ensuring seismic safety of the territory of Arkadag city, a certificate of compliance with Sustainable Development Goals and international requirements of ecological construction in accordance with the results of independent scientific and technical study, etc.

As it was noted by popular electronic publications, referring to the reports of the State Information Agency of Turkmenistan (TDH), the head of state took part in the commissioning ceremony of the new city. “The opening of Smart Arkadag City, created on the initiative of the National Leader of the Turkmen people, with a modern integrated infrastructure, is an important step towards further improving the level and quality of people’s life,” President Serdar Berdimuhamedov was quoted by foreign media as saying.

Representatives of the world community were greatly interested in the road transport infrastructure that meets international standards. Wide, spacious avenues, streets and roundabouts are equipped with modern lighting, video surveillance and control systems. In particular, the Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) uses innovative developments in modeling transport systems and regulating traffic flows. The installation of appropriate road signs has been carefully thought out. All this promotes improving the information content, safety and efficiency of road traffic and, in general, optimizing the interaction of all its participants – drivers, passengers and pedestrians. The main function of ITS is the introduction of Smart roads equipped with intelligent technologies.

The largest regional publications were literally full of reports that new electric buses and electric taxi cars would render high-quality and cultural service for residents and guests of Arkadag city. The QR-code option has been created for using programs such as ‘Duralga’ and ‘Ynamly taksi’. Terminals are provided for making non-cash payments for travel and online orders. Passengers convenience is also conditioned by the lanes allocated on motorways for public transport.

The National News Agency of Uzbekistan and various Internet resources of the neighboring country widely covered the work of Smart routes that allow drivers to save travel time and avoid traffic jams. Registration of waybills and traffic monitoring are carried out using a digital system. In addition, a special mobile software has been created including the information about traffic routes, and the time of arrival of vehicles at stops. The operation of electric buses and electric vehicles will facilitate maintaining a safe ecological situation in the city.

“Smart parking lots and charging stations for electric vehicles are controlled and regulated using special sensors and modern information and communication technologies,” the published articles noted.

Thus, popular electronic publications around the world have replicated the message about the most important event in the socio-political life of Turkmenistan.

Concluding the review of the world press, it can be reasonably stated that the celebrations organized and held at a high level on the occasion of the opening of Arkadag city marked another bright chapter in the glorious history of Turkmenistan, which, under the leadership of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, is striving forward to new heights of progress and prosperity.