A “Vision and Future-Building of the Organization of Turkic States” Panel Held at Istanbul Ticaret University

26 February 2025

A “Vision and Future-Building of the Organization of Turkic States” Panel Held at Istanbul Ticaret University

Istanbul Ticaret University and Ibn Haldun University, in collaboration with the Haydar Aliyev Eurasian Studies and Research Center (HACE), organized the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) Vision and Future Construction Panel and the OTS-Silk Road Photo Exhibition. The event was held in the Conference Hall of the University’s Sütlüce Campus and was attended by Dr. İsrafil Kuralay, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Istanbul Commerce University; Sadi Jafarov, Deputy Secretary General of TSO; Sherzod Abdunazarov, Consul General of the Republic of Uzbekistan in Istanbul; Prof. Dr. Mustafa Said Yazıcıoğlu, Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences; and academics, students, and guests from Istanbul Culture University and Istanbul University. Istanbul Culture University, and Istanbul University, along with students and guests. The event, which began with the opening of the exhibition “The Organization of Turkic States: Silk Road,” continued with a panel discussion.

THE IMPORTANCE OF LANGUAGE UNITY WAS DISCUSSED

The opening speech was delivered by Associate Professor Dr. Uğur Yasin Asal, Head of the Department of Political Science and International Relations (English). Associate Professor Dr. Asal said that the organized program was quite important because a valuable institutional formation had emerged that had developed diplomacy and integration in recent years, particularly in the Turkish world. Prof. Dr. Mustafa Said Yazıcıoğlu also emphasized the importance of the work carried out in the field of language unity, particularly in recent times.

TSO CARRIES OUT COOPERATION IN MORE THAN 30 FIELDS

In his speech, Jafarov recalled the work carried out by the TSO to strengthen unity, solidarity, and cooperation in the Turkic world, noting that the organization continues its cooperation activities in more than 30 areas, ranging from education to economics, culture, and defense. Placing special emphasis on education, Jafarov stated that joint projects in higher education are being developed within the framework of the Turkic World 2040 Vision and that student-academic exchange programs are being encouraged.

IMPORTANT STEPS ARE BEING TAKEN IN THE FIELD OF EDUCATION

Jafarov stated that among the concrete projects of the Organization of Turkic States in the field of education are important steps such as the establishment of the Turkic World Higher Education Area Data Bank, the creation of an agency for the recognition of diplomas, the implementation of the OTS Higher Education Foundation, and the launch of the Turkic World Higher Education Area Quality Assurance Agency. He also emphasized that the 34-letter common Turkish alphabet adopted by member countries would not only strengthen communication among Turkic peoples but also contribute to the preservation of the Turkic linguistic heritage.

YOUTH COUNCIL PARTICIPATION WILL BE INCREASED

Sherzod Abdunazarov also emphasized in his speech the efforts to strengthen the economic, political, and cultural integration of the Turkic States Organization. Consul General Abdunazarov stated that the Turkic world must unite around a shared history, culture, and values to shape the future, adding that Uzbekistan plays a critical role in this process. Abdunazarov stated that young people are the most important factor shaping the future of the Turkic world and that they are determined to increase participation in platforms such as the Youth Council. Abdunazarov thanked the organizations that organized the event.

LANGUAGE AND ALPHABET UNITY IS CRITICALLY IMPORTANT FOR OUR SHARED IDENTITY

Dr. Kuralay also stated that Istanbul Ticaret University, as a member of the Turkish World Universities Union, wishes to actively participate in projects in this field and will continue to contribute as a university to increase educational and cultural cooperation. Dr. Kuralay emphasized that linguistic and alphabetical unity is a critical step toward strengthening the common identity of the Turkic world, noting that greater sensitivity is needed regarding the preservation and enrichment of the Turkish language. Dr. Kuralay stated that he observed the language being preserved in a purer form, particularly in the Turkistan region, and emphasized the need for joint efforts to preserve and enrich the vocabulary.

THE FUTURE VISION OF THE TURKIC WORLD WAS DISCUSSED AT THE PANEL

The panel was moderated by Dr. Lec. Zebiniso Kamalova, Assistant Professor in the Department of Political Science and International Relations (Turkish), while the panelists included Lec. Prof. Dr. Yaşar Sarı, faculty member at Ibn Haldun University; Lec. Prof. Dr. Çağla Gül Yesevi, faculty member at Istanbul Kültür University and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kaan Kapan, faculty member at Istanbul University.

ECONOMIC AND TRADE COOPERATION MUST BE DEEPENED FOR THE 2040 VISION

In his presentation at the panel, Prof. Dr. Sarı stated that the Turkic world is not limited to the member countries of the Organization of Turkic States, but encompasses all communities that speak the Turkic language and emphasized the importance of the steps taken by the Organization of Turkic States in recent years towards regional integration. Prof. Dr. Sarı said that economic and commercial cooperation must be deepened within the framework of the 2040 Vision. Prof. Dr. Yesevi also emphasized in his presentation that the Turkish Green Vision, adopted at the Bishkek Summit, is a critical step for the sustainable development of the region. Stating that concrete projects will be implemented in areas such as drought, water resource conservation, and renewable energy, Prof. Dr. Yesevi said that the transformation of the Middle Corridor into a “Green Corridor” is also among the organization’s priorities.

GEOGRAPHICAL UNITY SHOULD BE SUPPORTED BY ECONOMIC AND CULTURAL COOPERATION

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kapan stated that the borders of the Turkic world are shaped not only by maps but also by history, language, and culture, emphasizing that geography is a critical element in the process of forming a common identity within the Organization of Turkic States. Highlighting the importance of establishing the Turkish Geography Council under the umbrella of the Organization of Turkic States, Kapan stated that this step has brought about concrete changes in many areas, from educational curricula to map terminology. He stated that regulations such as the official use of the term Turkistan instead of Central Asia and the inclusion of the term Sea of Islands in educational books contributed to increasing geographical awareness.

THE TURKIC STATES CHILDREN’S ATLAS FOSTERS GEOGRAPHICAL AWARENESS

Associate Professor Dr. Kapan stated that with the Children’s Atlas of Turkic States project, they aim to instill geographical awareness in children at an early age, emphasizing the need to pass on the historical heritage and cultural commonalities of the Turkic world to new generations. The event concluded with a group photo. The prepared exhibition will be open for viewing for one week.