From 16 to 17 July, a high-level meeting of the General Assembly dedicated to the mid-term review of the implementation of the New Urban Agenda took place at the UN headquarters in New York. Participants discussed the achievements of the decade since 2016 and measures to develop sustainable cities up to 2036, according to the news agency Orient.

The forum took place against a backdrop of growing global challenges: around 58 per cent of the world’s population already lives in cities, more than 3 billion people face housing problems, and urban areas account for over 70 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions.

The Turkmenistan delegation presented its approach to the development of urban infrastructure. Abdylla Geldiyev, Minister of Construction and Architecture, noted that creating a safe and comfortable urban environment is one of the country’s strategic priorities.

The city of Arkadag – Turkmenistan’s first ‘smart city’, built from scratch – attracted particular attention from participants. The project combines digital technologies, intelligent transport systems, environmental standards and energy-efficient solutions.

Following the forum, the participants adopted a Political Declaration aimed at strengthening international cooperation and developing sustainable, inclusive and technologically advanced cities by 2036. Turkmenistan reaffirmed its readiness to continue cooperating with the UN in the field of urban development.