Turkmenistan marks Turkmen Alabai Day, citing UNESCO heritage recognition

Turkmenistan marks Turkmen Alabai Day on the last Sunday of October. On the occasion, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov congratulated citizens and dog breeders. He described the Turkmen alabai as one of the oldest breeds in the world and a symbol of the national heritage.

The president said that large-scale work is under way to breed alabais and promote them internationally, and that the dog breeding sector is being developed. The International Association Türkmen alabaý itleri has been established, strengthening cooperation with other countries. Breeding centres meeting world standards have been built in all velayats and in Ashgabat, and contests for the title Ýylyň türkmen edermen alabaýy are held every year.

He noted that in December 2025, at the 20th session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage in New Delhi, India, UNESCO inscribed the Art of breeding Turkmen alabai on its Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The president pledged priority development of the sector and better living and working conditions for breeders.