On December 18, the International Scientific and Practical Conference "Smart City: Management Technologies, Digital, Smart and AI Technologies, Security, Economy" was held at the Oguz Khan Engineering and Technology University of Turkmenistan.

Thanks to the successful implementation of large-scale reforms initiated by the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, and now consistently carried out under the leadership of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, in the era of the Revival of the new epoch of a powerful state, digital systems, "smart" and "green" technologies, and artificial intelligence capabilities are being introduced into all spheres and sectors of the national economy. As a result of digitalization, all conditions are being created for the happy life of our people. A vivid example of this is the city of Arkadag, which has no analogs in the region.

As is known, at the international exhibition "World Smart City Expo," held in September this year in Seoul (Republic of Korea), the city of Arkadag was awarded three prizes – "For Outstanding Achievements in the Field of Smart City," as well as in the nominations "Foreign Smart City" and "For Great Contribution to the World Smart City Expo 2024."

The exemplary city of Arkadag is the pride of the Turkmen people. The "smart" city, located in a magnificent corner at the foothills of the Kopetdag, represents a national model of urban planning that embodies the advanced trends of world architecture and technical achievements. The comprehensive infrastructure created here, meeting international standards, including in the environmental field, ensures optimal comfort and convenience for residents. Special attention is paid to such a relevant aspect as ecology. Thus, environmentally friendly materials were used in the construction of facilities.

The current international scientific and practical conference is organized to disseminate national experience and consistently implement the "smart city" concept.

Professors and teachers of prestigious higher educational institutions, well-known scientists of research institutes, specialists from Austria, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Belarus, the United Kingdom, Georgia, India, Kazakhstan, China, Malaysia, the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Russia, Romania, Tajikistan, Turkey, Uzbekistan, Ukraine, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Ethiopia, South Korea, Japan, as well as leaders and representatives of leading foreign companies participated in the forum, including online.

In the morning, the conference was solemnly opened with a musical greeting from the university's creative team "Oguzlar." The performance of students who sang the patriotic song "Arkadagyň iň ajaýyp şäheri" made a great impression on foreign guests. The composition was accompanied by videos dedicated to the "smart" city of Arkadag, reflecting the best traditions of national architecture and modern trends in architecture and design.

At the plenary session, issues of the development of various fields of science and education were discussed, and information on scientific research was presented. Priority areas of international scientific and technological cooperation, issues of experience exchange in the field of creating high-tech industries, and solving scientific and technical problems at the regional and global levels were also considered. Foreign scientists highly appreciated the research activities conducted in the field of smart technologies at the Oguz Khan Engineering and Technology University of Turkmenistan.

At the meeting of the Presidium of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan held on October 3 this year, the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Hero-Arkadag, emphasized that "in accordance with the 'Concept for the Development of the City of Arkadag for 2024–2052,' it is necessary to achieve harmonious and sustainable development of all systems of the city of Arkadag. Through the widespread introduction of digital technologies into the city's management system and their regular improvement, it is necessary to ensure the living, working, and leisure conditions of residents, and increase employment." In the future, it is planned to effectively use the "smart" technologies of this city in urban planning carried out in other regions of the country.

In this context, the speeches noted that currently, to achieve great success in organizing "smart" cities, the Oguz Khan Engineering and Technology University of Turkmenistan, together with foreign IT specialists, engineers, scientists, professors, and teachers, constantly studies modern practices that meet world standards related to the development of "smart" home, city, and Internet of Things technologies, their management, and ensuring cybersecurity.

During the plenary session of the forum, a ceremony was held to award the "smart" city of Arkadag with certificates for achievements in the development of infrastructure based on the Internet of Things, intelligent transport systems, solutions for increasing energy efficiency, monitoring, and environmental management from companies of the Republic of Korea "Data Science Technology International Co., Ltd." and "Sawwave Co., LTD," Chitkara University (India), the Nanotechnology Research Center of Bilkent University (Turkey), the National Research Nuclear University "Moscow Engineering Physics Institute" (Russia), as well as certificates for environmental cleanliness from Korean companies "Data Science Technology International Co., Ltd.," "Sawwave Co., LTD," the Romanian Institute of Science and Technology, the Izmir Institute of Technology (Turkey), and Samarkand State University (Uzbekistan).

The conference continued with thematic sections discussing the results of international research in the development of innovative technologies, priority areas of science, production, and industry, the development of nano-, bio-, and information, digital and smart technologies, cybersecurity technologies, artificial intelligence and information and communication technologies, computer and mobile programs, ensuring the competitiveness of scientific achievements, and involving youth in the development of innovative technologies in the country.

As part of the forum, a technology exhibition was organized, presenting the project of a "smart" home and urban technologies, a concert by the university's creative team "Oguzlar," a festival-fair of environmentally friendly food products "FoodTech," a craft exhibition "CraftTech," "SportTech" competitions among students in various types of e-sports, and a tour of the university.

At the end of the international scientific and practical conference, bilateral memorandums of understanding were signed between the Oguz Khan Engineering and Technology University of Turkmenistan and higher educational institutions of foreign countries.

The conference participants expressed deep gratitude to President Serdar Berdimuhamedov and Hero-Arkadag for their comprehensive support of scientific research and the creation of all conditions for research activities.