At an international conference in Ashgabat, Erfan Ali, Director of the UN-Habitat Regional Office for Eastern Europe and Central Asia, highlighted Turkmenistan’s experience in sustainable urban development. As an example, he referred to the country’s first “smart city” Arkadag, according to IIC.
According to the UN-Habitat representative, Ashgabat is developing its urban environment based on digital technologies, long-term planning, and the preservation of cultural heritage. The foundation of the capital’s modernization is the “Vision Ashgabat 2045” strategy. The document provides for the development of infrastructure, digital governance, environmental sustainability, and urban planning systems.
Erfan Ali also noted the growing cooperation between the Government of Turkmenistan and UN-Habitat. Joint work covers issues of urban governance, spatial planning, data monitoring, and housing policy. According to him, the opening of a UN-Habitat office in Turkmenistan will expand practical cooperation between the parties.