Today, the World Bicycle Day is widely celebrated in the country. President Serdar Berdimuhamedov took part in a mass bike ride held in the capital on the occasion of this international holiday.

Sports diplomacy and ways to use its potential are reflected in the Concept of Turkmenistan’s activities and priorities 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, to 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 Chairwoman 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 have 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 are students of the Döwletliler köşgi Palace, students of the Young Olympians Training School 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, a 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 running 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 widespread popularization of this sport and the promotion of environmental culture in society.

In order to ensure environmental well-being at the national and global levels, Turkmenistan is successfully implementing a comprehensive and long-term National Forestry Program. 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 stunning 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 help people use their time more efficiently. Physical exercise has a positive effect on thinking abilities and memory, and develops such qualities as perseverance and hard work. 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 country. 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 training.

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 peaceful 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 praises 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 sports in strengthening solidarity and friendship between peoples. 

The construction of an unprecedented Olympic Park in Ashgabat facilitated the rise of Turkmen sports to a qualitatively new level. It was here in 2017 that the 5th Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games were successfully held, opening a new page in the history of national sports. Thanks to their holding, Turkmenistan joined 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 well-being. Today, our country 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 Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers T. Atahalliyev, who oversees the agro-industrial complex, to keep under review the implementation of the National Forest 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 taken for its further development and improvement.

The head of state, drawing attention to the importance of the successful implementation of the tasks outlined in the Ashgabat Development Concept, ordered to keep under constant control the work on modernizing the city’s infrastructure, ensuring a favorable ecological environment, and creating comfortable living conditions for citizens.

The head of state completed the bike ride, finishing at the Ruhyet 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 on declaring June 3 of each year as World Bicycle Day and, taking the opportunity, sincerely congratulated President Serdar Berdimuhamedov and Hero-Arkadag on this wonderful holiday. 

Then the head of state said a warm farewell to the participants of the mass bike ride, wishing them health and success. 

Thus, today’s sporting 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.