Envisioning Tomorrow: The Turkish World Panel in Baku
Strengthening Bonds: A Panel on the Turkish World at Haydar Aliyev Center
A significant panel organized by the Presidency of the Republic of Turkey took place at the Haydar Aliyev Center, uniting prominent figures to discuss the future of cooperation among Turkish states. Attendees included Turkey’s Ambassador to Baku, Birol Akgün, TRNC Ambassador Ufuk Turvener, Azerbaijani officials, and numerous representatives from non-governmental organizations and academia.
Honoring the Fallen
The event commenced with a moment of silence, highlighting the sacrifices made by martyrs for their homeland, accompanied by the national anthems of Turkey and Azerbaijan. A video message from Fahrettin Altun, President of the Presidency, emphasized the panel’s purpose: to discuss a shared vision for the future of the Turkish world.
Unifying the Turkish World
Altun articulated the importance of the Turkish States Organization (TDT), describing it as a powerful platform fostering political, economic, cultural, and social collaboration among Turkish nations. He referred to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s remarks at the 8th Summit of TDT Presidents in 2021, reiterating that the organization embodies a profound unity beyond mere economic interests.
Quoting Ismail Gaspıralı’s celebrated maxim—“language, idea, work”—Altun underlined the necessity of unity in communication and cultural values as essential for the Turkish world’s advancement. He stressed that these ideals remain relevant today, especially in the context of digital transformation and youth development.
A Model for 21st Century Cooperation
Ambassador Akgün echoed Altun’s sentiments, reinforcing Gaspıralı’s principles as vital for the evolution of the Turkish world. He advocated for the need to redefine and institutionalize these principles to meet contemporary demands, asserting that shared linguistic and cultural ties also extend to political and economic realms.
Akgün spoke of TDT as not merely a regional platform, but a strategic vision that promotes mutual confidence and solidarity among Turkish nations. He emphasized collaboration across various sectors, including education, digital innovation, and cultural diplomacy, as crucial in addressing global challenges.
Fostering Comprehensive Collaboration
During the panel, Akgün highlighted the increasing geopolitical risks and the importance of fostering scientific, technological, educational, and cultural partnerships. He believed that achieving these goals requires layered cooperation and mutual trust among nations.
Cihangir İşbilir, the Press Advisor at Türkiye’s Embassy in Baku, noted that prior roundtable discussions with Azerbaijani NGOs and media representatives had underscored a collective vision for deepening cooperation in the Turkish sphere.
The Executive Director of the Azerbaijani State Support Agency for NGOs remarked on the historical significance of the Turkish world, asserting that it should not be viewed merely as a dream but as a heritage to be passed down to future generations.
Engaging Discussions
The session featured notable speakers including Dr. Hülya Kasapoğlu from Ankara Hacı Bayram Veli University, Akif Aşırlı from the Azerbaijan Press Council, and representatives from Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan, further enriching the discourse on collaboration within the Turkish world.
The event concluded with a presentation titled "in language, idea, unity," prepared by the Communication Presidency, solidifying the commitment to mutual understanding and cooperative progress among the nations represented.
