The events of the past week have become another evidence of the success of the socially oriented policy of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, aimed at turning the Motherland into an advanced state of the world, expanding international cooperation.

On August 11, the head of Turkmenistan, who is on labor leave, took a bike ride along the coast of the Caspian Sea and worked out on simulators at the "Avaza" sports complex.

Cycling has a long history in our country. And today it has become a good tradition to hold mass bike rides. These actions contribute to improving the health of the population, increasing the level of environmental well-being, and popularizing cycling.

Cycling trips systematically carried out by the head of state, which serve as a worthy role model for young people, open great opportunities for the development of cycling in Turkmenistan.

As it is known, the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Hero-Arkadag Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, established a wonderful and noble tradition of holding mass bike rides. This initiative was widely supported and approved by compatriots, who gladly participate in regularly organized sports events in the country.

The head of state performed a number of exercises on simulators at the multidisciplinary sports complex "Avaza". It should be noted that all conditions have been created here for practicing various kinds of sports. The complex is equipped with the most modern specialized equipment and sports gear.

In the era of the Revival of the new era of a powerful state, under the leadership of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, comprehensive measures are being taken aimed at affirming the principles of a healthy lifestyle in society, popularizing the mass sports and recreation movement and high-performance sports, as well as increasing the authority of Turkmenistan in the international sports arena.

Much attention is paid to the promotion of active leisure among the population, especially among young people, as sport in all its manifestations is the key to a healthy life and spiritual energy, and therefore to achieving the grandiose goals of the new historical era.

On August 12, the Caspian Sea Day was solemnly celebrated on the picturesque coast of the "Avaza" National Tourist Zone. This international holiday is held annually on the day of the entry into force of the Framework Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Caspian Sea (Tehran Convention), which was signed by all coastal countries, including Turkmenistan. This year, held under the motto "Happy Youth with Arkadag Serdar", marks the 20th anniversary of the signing of this document, which has increased the importance of current events, becoming in the anniversary year for the Convention another call to intensify efforts to ensure the ecological well-being of the Caspian Sea, globally significant for all mankind.

The program of festive events was opened by the scientific and practical conference "The Caspian Sea - the sea of peace and friendship", held at the hotel "Hasyl" of the National tourist zone "Avaza". It was organized on behalf of the Head of state by the Ministry of Environmental Protection with the assistance of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan and the Hyakimlik of the Balkan velayat.

The forum, held in a hybrid format, was attended by members of the Government, heads of the Mejlis, relevant ministries and departments, specialized structures and the scientific community of our country. Among the guests were representatives of the embassies of the Caspian littoral states, as well as Georgia and Romania accredited in Turkmenistan, representatives of authoritative international and regional organizations: the UN Resident Coordinator Office, the UN Development Programme, the UN Environment Programme, the Centre of the Organization for Security and Co–operation in Europe in Ashgabat, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the German Agency for International Cooperation, and others.

The beginning of the conference was preceded by an exhibition in the lobby of the hotel complex, which demonstrated the achievements of our country in the environmental sphere.

Reviewing the main directions of Turkmenistan's international cooperation on the Caspian Sea, including within the framework of the implementation of the regional Caspian Environment Program (CEP), the forum participants noted that the most important achievement was the Framework Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Caspian Sea (Tehran Convention), ratified by the governments of five Caspian littoral states.

Today, the international legal framework, laid down in this document 20 years ago, is being developed in the development and adoption of new legal acts aimed at regulating various aspects of the Caspian issues.

It was noted that international community supports the constructive initiatives of Turkmenistan voiced from the rostrum of the UN General Assembly and other major forums, which are aimed at consolidated decision-making on environmental protection, rational use of water and energy resources and ensuring food security, creation of a reliable system for protecting the ecology of the Caspian Sea, etc.

In this context, there was emphasized the urgency of the Priority Positions of Turkmenistan at the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly, which will begin its work on September 12, 2023 in New York. Among them is a proposal to create the "Caspian Environmental Initiative", designed to become an international platform for substantive and professional interaction on a wide range of issues related to the protection of the Caspian environment, its bioresources, as well as to solve a number of environmental problems.

At the same time, Turkmenistan continues to work within the framework of its initiative to establish the UN Regional Center for Climate Change Technologies and the UN Regional Council on water use issues in Central Asia with headquarters in Ashgabat.

It was stressed that systematic measures are being taken to develop new formats for effective political dialogue in the Caspian Sea, and the mechanism of regular consultations at the level of specially authorized representatives of the Caspian states, formed at the suggestion of our country and functioning under the patronage of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, is of great importance here.

Advantageous geographical location, rich hydrocarbon, fish and other natural resources, favorable climatic conditions have contributed to the transformation of the Caspian region into a dynamically developing industrial, transport and resort center.

In this context, it is of particular importance to establish cooperation in many important areas, including the conservation, reproduction and use of marine biological resources, commercial shipping, tourism development, as well as the development and use of hydrocarbon resources of the Caspian seabed and subsoil.

The defining factor of interaction is the common desire and determination to make the Caspian Sea a zone of peace and harmony, an important component of international strategic stability and security, an example of solving all issues exclusively by political and diplomatic means, based on respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states.

Among the urgent tasks are the implementation of systematic monitoring of the state of biological resources and the marine environment of the Caspian Sea and the conduct of a wide range of scientific research in this area.

The conference covered in detail aspects of cooperation with the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat, which supports Turkmenistan's initiatives to strengthen environmental and economic security and expand regional partnership. Among the relevant large–scale projects, implemented by the OSCE at the regional level, is the project "Promoting Green Ports and Connectivity in the Caspian Sea Region", aimed at solving a number of differentiated tasks, including the promotion of environmentally friendly, "green" energy.

Summing up the results of the forum, its participants stated the unity of the positions of all interested parties in the importance of maintaining cooperation, peace and trust in the Caspian Sea region, calling for further strengthening of international partnership in ensuring reliable environmental protection of the Caspian Sea and the development of its potential corresponding to the common well-being and progress.

In the afternoon, conference hall of the "Daýanç" Hotel hosted a ceremony of awarding prizes to the authors of the best children's works on applied art and decorative works made of marine materials, which vividly reflect the beauty of native nature, the sea expanses of the Caspian Sea and the unique world of its inhabitants.

The final chord of the festive evening was a concert with the participation of the State Drama Theater of Balkan velayat, children's creative teams, the program of which also included dances and songs of the peoples of the Caspian states.

In addition, various sports competitions were held as part of the Caspian Sea Day events.

Turning to other events of the past week, it should be noted that on August 12, the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov got acquainted with the activities of healthcare institutions in the city of Arkadag and held working meetings.

In the era of the Revival of the new era of a powerful state, under the wise leadership of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, large-scale transformations in all spheres of society are successfully continuing in the country. Great attention is paid to the issues of public health protection, in particular, the work of medical institutions in the city of Arkadag, which fully meet international standards.

In the early morning, the National Leader of the Turkmen people visited the Multidisciplinary Hospital of Arkadag city, where he got acquainted with its equipment, inquired about the qualifications of the staff and the health status of patients.

The doctor of the Multidisciplinary Hospital said that three complicated operations have already been performed since the opening of the clinic.

Then the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov held a working meeting with the participation of D.Orazov, the Chairman of the State Committee for the Construction of Arkadag city under the President of Turkmenistan, Sh.Durdylyev, the Hyakim of Arkadag city and Yu.Ishangulyev, the head of the Health Department of Arkadag city.

Noting that great attention is paid in the country today to the establishment of the principles of a healthy lifestyle, the National Leader of the Turkmen people stressed that special emphasis should be placed on environmental issues in the construction of industrial and production facilities within the second stage of the development of Arkadag city. Thus, along with the industrialization of the national economy, the level of environmental safety at production facilities should be kept under constant control.

Hero-Arkadag also visited the Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov Children's Health and Rehabilitation Center, located on the territory of the new city, where M.Okuzova, the director of the Center, informed about the activities carried out, and the state of health of patients.

The National Leader of the Turkmen people asked about the results of treatment of children, talked with their parents.

Then Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov arrived at the construction site of the mosque in Arkadag city, where the relevant projects and drawings were presented to him for consideration.

Having familiarized himself with the projects, the Hero-Arkadag noted the need to apply the best international experience both in their preparation and in construction work. At the same time, special attention should be paid to environmental issues, the use of elements of national architecture in the decoration of buildings.

Emphasizing the importance of a responsible approach to the quality of production facilities being built as part of the second stage of construction of Arkadag city, to their exterior decoration, proper landscaping of adjacent territories, Hero-Arkadag addressed specific instructions to the relevant leaders.

After reviewing the drawings of the projects, the National Leader of the Turkmen people held a working meeting with the participation of D.Orazov, the Chairman of the State Committee for the Construction of Arkadag city under the President of Turkmenistan, and Sh.Durdylyev, the Hyakim of Arkadag city.

As noted, the construction of industrial complexes is planned within the framework of the second stage of the city's development, which will contribute to the successful implementation of programs designed to industrialize the country, increase employment, establish the production of consumer goods and improve the activities of the service sector.

It is also necessary to actively use advanced technologies, the latest methods in work, the Hero-Arkadag continued, emphasizing that the new city should become a city with an innovative industrial complex.

In general, the events of the past week have clearly demonstrated that independent neutral Turkmenistan confidently continues its progressive movement along the path of progress and creation under the leadership of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, whose innovative and constructive activities are entirely aimed at ensuring the well-being of the native people.