An international high-level conference dedicated to Turkmenistan’s Akhal-Teke horses brought together diplomats, government officials and public representatives in the city of Arkadag on 12 September 2026.
The conference, titled “Independent and Permanently Neutral Turkmenistan — Home of the Purposeful Winged Horses: A Space of Peace, Friendship and Cooperation,” focused on the cultural heritage associated with the Akhal-Teke breed and its role in international cultural and humanitarian cooperation, the State News Agency of Turkmenistan TDH reports.
The event was attended by government members, heads of ministries and government agencies, heads of diplomatic missions and international organizations accredited in Turkmenistan, as well as representatives of public associations, elders and students.
Participants were presented with a new poem by President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, “The Pride of the Turkmen,” dedicated to Akhal-Teke horses. The programme also included video presentations highlighting Turkmenistan’s cultural achievements and international cooperation.
Following the opening of the conference, Hero of Turkmenistan Annajemal Nurmuhammedova performed a song. She was followed by Saragt Babayev, a lecturer at the State Academy of Arts and a sculptor, who spoke about the academy’s comprehensive educational programmes and state support for contemporary art, which is helping to foster a new generation of artists.
Chinar Rustemova, Executive Secretary of the National Commission of Turkmenistan for UNESCO, focused on the international recognition of the country’s cultural heritage.
She noted that the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity already includes the folk epic “Görogly,” the song-and-dance art of “küştdepdi,” the traditional craft of making dutars and the art of bakhshi, Turkmen carpet weaving, embroidery, sericulture, traditions associated with telling stories about Molla Ependi, as well as the art of Akhal-Teke horse breeding and traditions of horse decoration.
Stephen Conlon, Ambassador of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, spoke about the international significance of the Akhal-Teke breed. He praised the conditions created in Turkmenistan for horse breeding and noted the attention given to preserving the breed and promoting its participation in sporting competitions in countries across Europe, Asia and the Americas.
French horse breeder A. Martinez, who won the main prize at the World Championship in equestrian sport and the Akhal-Teke horse beauty contest in Kronenberg, the Netherlands, joined the conference by video link. She expressed appreciation for the conditions created in Turkmenistan for the development of equestrian sport.
Alena Grand, Ambassador of France, also highlighted the distinctive characteristics of the Akhal-Teke breed. She said the development of modern equestrian sports complexes was helping to bring Turkmenistan’s national equestrian sport to a new international level.
Viktor Mayko, Special Representative of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine for Central Asian Affairs and Ambassador of Ukraine to Kazakhstan, said Akhal-Teke horses serve as a symbol of peaceful relations and connect different eras and generations.
Şener Cebeci, Ambassador of Türkiye, focused on cultural and humanitarian ties, noting that relations between the two brotherly nations are reaching a new level. He said cultural and humanitarian cooperation, particularly in equestrian sport, forms an important foundation for international partnerships.
Gismet Gozalov, Ambassador of Azerbaijan, highlighted the expansion of bilateral ties and the promotion of horse-breeding traditions reflected in such works as “Kitabi dädem Gorkut” and “Görogly.” His presentation was accompanied by video footage of performances by Turkmenistan’s “Galkynyş” equestrian group in Baku.
Ravshanbek Alimov, Ambassador of Uzbekistan to Turkmenistan, also addressed the conference. Footage shown during his presentation featured Turkmen horses competing at the international equestrian tournament and beauty contest “Pearl of the East,” held in Tashkent.
L. Annaeva, a lecturer at the Department of Equestrian Sport, Tourism and National Equestrian Games at the Aba Annaev International Academy of Horse Breeding, spoke about deeper learning of educational material and the importance of international cooperation in introducing young people to national horse-breeding traditions.
Following the plenary session, a festive concert was held in the square in front of the Arkadag monument to mark the successful staging of the World Championship in equestrian sport and the Akhal-Teke horse beauty contest in the Netherlands.
President Serdar Berdimuhamedov attended the celebrations together with members of his family.
The programme concluded with a fireworks show.///nCa, 14 September 2026