Description Available in: Arkadag (Turkmen arka "behind" + dag "mountain", connoting "protector") is a city in southern Turkmenistan. It became the regional capital of Ahal Province effective 20 December 2022. It is a largely greenfield development started in 2019 with an initial budget of $1.5 billion. The city was named in honor of former President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, whose official nickname is Arkadag. Uniquely among Turkmen cities, Arkadag is by law designated a "city of state importance".