On July 24, 2026, the Mayor of Ashgabat, Rahym Gandymov, participated in the First International Forum of Sister Cities held in Samarkand, Republic of Uzbekistan. The event brought together representatives of state authorities, local government bodies, international organizations, and the expert community from nearly 30 countries.

The forum addressed topical issues surrounding inter-municipal cooperation, city management optimization, implementation of modern technologies, and the exchange of best practices for sustainable urban development. Speaking at the forum, the Mayor of Ashgabat highlighted the importance of strengthening municipal ties to advance digitalization, improve transport and engineering infrastructure, and create a comfortable urban environment.

Special attention was drawn to the steady development of the Turkmen-Uzbek strategic partnership, including the successful sister-city relationship between Ashgabat and Tashkent. As part of the forum, a presentation was held dedicated to the 145th anniversary of Ashgabat, showcasing the capital's achievements in modern urban planning, architecture, and sustainable development.