On October 1, the National Leader of the Turkmen people and Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, paid a working visit to the city of Arkadag to review the progress of the city’s second development phase and hold a strategic meeting.

Arkadag is rapidly evolving into a national model for testing advanced technologies, with an emphasis on scalability across the country. During the visit, healthcare and smart infrastructure were highlighted as priority areas.

The National Leader reviewed plans for new medical manufacturing facilities and digital centers, including a proposed Research and Education Hub and a centralized Patient Data Management Center under the National Digital Healthcare System.

He stressed the critical need for highly trained professionals who can navigate both the medical and digital realms, ensuring efficient healthcare service delivery in a smart urban environment.

A significant moment of the visit was the announcement that Arkadag’s medical cluster, including its baby food production, had won a gold medal for "Product of the Year" at a recent international expo in Moscow — a testament to the quality and eco-friendliness of Turkmen-made goods.

Urban development was another focus: updated plans for street modernization and access routes to major landmarks, including the National Museum of Wildlife, were presented. Berdimuhamedov emphasized the importance of quality materials and innovation in construction, especially for smart homes and public spaces.

Environmental sustainability was also addressed, with detailed recommendations on urban landscaping and the selection of suitable plant species along roads and green areas.

Reports were delivered by key officials from the construction and healthcare sectors, as well as the Charitable Foundation named after Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov. Preparations are underway for Arkadag’s showcase at an upcoming international exhibition in Ashgabat, timed to Health Workers’ Day and the 30th anniversary of the national “Saglyk” health program.

On the same day, new agreements were signed with private firms. Among the notable projects are the construction of a mosque in Fuzuli, Azerbaijan, and the renovation of cultural and sports complexes in Arkadag — marking a step toward exporting Turkmen design expertise abroad.