Ashgabat - The Times Of Central Asia

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Ashgabat Hosts Seminar on Artificial Intelligence

The capital of Turkmenistan is hosting a two-day seminar , organized by the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat, on "Artificial Intelligence and its Impact on Freedom of Speech." During the event, international participants, including specialists from Austria and Bulgaria, will analyse the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies on freedom of speech and the role of the media in today's world through various workshops focusing on: the role of artificial intelligence in shaping public opinion and disseminating information; the risks and opportunities associated with the application of AI in the media; how to ensure freedom of speech in the context of AI development; and how to combat misinformation and manipulation in the age of artificial intelligence. Opening the seminar, William Leaf, Representative of the OSCE Centre in Turkmenistan, emphasized the importance of freedom of speech and media as integral elements of a democratic society. Noting Turkmenistan's growing interest in developing artificial intelligence, he welcomed the seminar as an important step in understanding its potential and possible challenges. Within the context of an exchange of views and the development of recommendations on the use of artificial intelligence in the media, the event provides a platform for discussions on how such issues affect the principles of freedom of speech and human rights and as such, relates to the OSCE Centre's ongoing assistance in implementing the National Human Rights Action Plan 2021-2025 (NHRAP) provisions on media freedom and freedom of expression.

Ashgabat Construction Turkmenistan

Turkmenistan to build Ashgabat City compound

ASHGABAT (TCA) — The Administration of the Turkmen capital Ashgabat last week hosted a presentation of a large-scale social project — the construction of a new residential compound with high-rise buildings in the northern part of the city where more than 100,000 people would live, the State News Agency of Turkmenistan reported. Total area allocated for the grandiose complex of more than 200 buildings is 744 hectares. It is planned to erect 180 buildings, ranging from 12 to 35 floors in height, with 17,836 apartments. The entire compound is designated for living of more than 107,000 people. The new city including an administration centre, service and medical facilities, cultural centres, educational and other social infrastructure facilities will appear in the north of Ashgabat. The new compound’s infrastructure will be based on a smart city model. The project, which was approved by President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov and received an unofficial name of Ashgabat City, provides for the construction of the building of local administration and other government facilities, four secondary schools for 3,000 students and the same number of kindergartens which would be able to host 1,200 children, as well as original buildings of Turkmen National Conservatory and a specialized musical school. The facilities of social and living infrastructure will include a multifunctional hospital, two clinics, two shopping and entertainment centres, shops and cafes, a stadium and sports complex, and four multilevel car parking lots. It is also planned to build branch offices of Türkmenbaşy and Halkbank State Commercial Banks. It was said at the presentation that 35-storey buildings will be constructed in Turkmenistan for the first time, so seismic resistance technologies are of particular importance.

Sport Ashgabat Turkmenistan

First-ever golf course opens in Turkmenistan

ASHGABAT (TCA) — The opening of the first golf course in Turkmenistan took place in the capital Ashgabat on October 17 with the participation of Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov, the State News Agency of Turkmenistan reported. The ceremony gathered the chairperson of the Mejlis (Turkmen parliament), members of the Government, heads of military and law enforcement agencies, and mass media. The new golf club occupies more than 70 hectares and is located in the south-west part of the capital, next to fashionable Yilduz Hotel. The golf club includes administration and operation facilities, an 18-hole course, four artificial ponds and one spring, and open and underground parking lots for 90 vehicles. Design and consulting works were carried out by Nicklaus Design from the USA, whose head Jack Nicklaus was met by President Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov several times to discuss the opportunities of the golf development in the country. The presence of the golf course meeting the highest criteria of similar facilities will allow holding international championships and world tournaments in the Turkmen capital, as well as attracting more tourists. Speaking at the opening ceremony, the President of Turkmenistan noted that the Turkmen government pays special attention to development of mass physical training, sports and Olympic movement. All these measures support wide implementation of a healthy life style, achievement of success of Turkmen sport and recognition of Turkmenistan as a world-class sport center.

Sport Ashgabat Human rights Turkmenistan Asia

Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games kick off in Turkmenistan

ASHGABAT (TCA) — The opening ceremony of the 2017 Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games (AIMAG) took place in Turkmenistan's capital, Ashgabat, on September 17 with the participation of a number of heads of state and government, including the presidents of Afghanistan, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. According to organizers, some 5,500 athletes from 62 countries will be contesting in 21 disciplines — including tennis, ju-jitsu, cycling track, weightlifting, and taekwondo — to September 27, making it Asia's second-largest sporting event, RFE/RL reported. Turkmenistan President Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov appears to want to use the AIMAG to cast Turkmenistan as a regional success story and sports hub. But human rights groups have raised concern over rights abuses in the run-up of the competition, including "massive housing violations" in Ashgabat by Turkmen authorities and their continued clampdown on independent voices. Turkmenistan expects tens of thousands of foreigners to visit the Games. The Turkmen government has spent billions of dollars preparing for the Games — the most prominent international event ever held in independent Turkmenistan — including some $2.5 billion on a mammoth new airport built in the shape of a falcon in flight. It also built an Olympic Complex located on 150 hectares on the outskirts of the capital and numerous state-of-the-art sporting facilities — including the Olympic Stadium capable of holding 45,000 fans, a 6,000-seat indoor cycling track, a water-sports complex, an indoor tennis court — complete with a circular 5-kilometer monorail system to carry athletes, officials, and fans around the complex. Turkmen officials have said they were planning to bid for hosting other major sports events, including the Olympic Games. Meanwhile, human rights groups have said homeowners and residents in Ashgabat have had to endure "massive housing violations" ahead of the competition. The Turkmen Initiative for Human Rights (TIHR) in Vienna and the New York-based Human Rights Watch (HRW) said on September 4 that the Turkmen government had "forcibly evicted" homeowners in Ashgabat and demolished their homes "without adequate compensation" in preparation for the games. The two human rights watchdogs have called on the Olympic Council of Asia, as the organizer of the AIMAG, to remind Turkmenistan of its rights obligations. In an effort to improve the country's image when foreigners start arriving to compete in, or attend, AIMAG, Turkmen authorities have banned the sale of alcohol in Ashgabat, restricted the movement of residents of the provinces to the capital, ordered former inmates to stay away from the games' venues, and tried to clear the city of stray dogs and cats as well as child beggars.

Ashgabat Turkmenistan Sport

Foreign visitors to Turkmenistan games unaffected by local bans

ASHGABAT (TCA) — Foreign visitors and participants of the Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games that will be held in Turkmenistan’s capital Ashgabat September 17-27 are “isolated” from local citizens and unaffected by local bans, the foreign-based independent website Chronicles of Turkmenistan reports. Continue reading

Turkmenistan Housing Human rights Ashgabat Sport

Homeowners evicted, their homes demolished in Turkmenistan capital ahead of Asian Games

ASHGABAT (TCA) — Two human rights groups — the Turkmen Initiative for Human Rights (TIHR) in Vienna and the New York-based Human Rights Watch (HRW) — said on September 4 that the Turkmen government had "forcibly evicted" homeowners in Turkmenistan's capital Ashgabat and demolished their homes "without adequate compensation" in preparation for the Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games (AIMAG) Ashgabat will host this month. Continue reading