The 8th General Assembly of the Union of National Academies of Sciences of the Turkic World
The 8th General Assembly of the Union of National Academies of Sciences of the Turkic World (UNASTW) was held in Azerbaijan under the chairmanship of UNASTW President Prof. Dr. Muzaffer Şeker, within the scope of the 80th anniversary celebrations of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences (AMEA).
The meeting, held in the AMEA Executive Board Hall in Baku under the theme “Scientific Cooperation Among the Academies of Sciences of the Turkic World: Facts and Perspectives,” opened with a speech by AMEA President Prof. Dr. Isa Habibbeyli entitled “The Calls of Turkology in the 21st Century and Preparations for the Turkology Congress.”
Following the speech by Prof. Dr. Şahin Mustafayev, President of the International Turkic Academy (Turkic World Educational and Scientific Cooperation Organization-TWESCO), titled “The Scientific Integration Process of the Academies of Sciences of the Turkic World, Achievements and Outlook for the Future,” Prof. Şeker spoke on "Turkic Academies Cooperation: Important Scientific Results and Opportunities." Prof. Dr. Akhylbek Kurişbayev, President of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Kazakhstan, President of the National Academy of Sciences of the Kyrgyz Republic Prof. Dr. Kanatbek Abdrakhmatov, President of the Academy of Sciences of Uzbekistan, which has been granted full membership status, Prof. Dr. Şavkat Ayupov, and President of the Academy of Sciences of Turkmenistan Prof. Dr. Allaberdi Aşirov also spoke at the meeting. The theme “Strengthening the Turkish Scientific Union” was discussed at the opening session of the General Assembly. The roadmap for the Union's future programs and projects was discussed. In this context, the cooperation efforts to be undertaken were emphasized. While coordination among members was discussed, the Union's common scientific future plan for the Turkic world was detailed.
AMEA President Prof. Habibbeyli Receives TÜBA Membership Certificate
As part of the program, President Şeker presented AMEA President Prof. Dr. İsa Habibbeyli with the TÜBA Honorary Member certificate. Expressing his pleasure at seeing Prof. Habibbeyli, who was elected in 2024, as a TÜBA Member, Prof. Şeker said that working in cooperation with AMEA and Prof. Habibbeyli and contributing to world science through joint programs and projects as the academies of two brotherly countries is very valuable.
In his presentation at the General Assembly, Prof. Dr. Şeker summarized the activities carried out by UNASTW during the 2024-2025 period and shared the steps taken to strengthen scientific and cultural cooperation in the Turkic world. He stated that the “Aziz Sancar Research Scholarship Program,” launched in collaboration with TÜBA-TÜBİTAK, provides young researchers with the opportunity to work in Türkiye, and that the Turkic States Summer Schools and Turkology Summer Schools bring scientists together around common themes. President Şeker also provided information about the international symposium organized on the occasion of the 550th anniversary of Ali Kuşçu's death, the new academic publication titled “Reflections from Turkish Cultural Life,” “The Historical Atlas of Turkic States,” and “Emir Timur and His Legacy.”
The symposium “Azerbaijan and Türkiye in World Politics,” organized in Baku in collaboration with TÜBA and AMEA, stood out as an important event where relations between the two countries were discussed on a scientific basis, said Şeker, noting that many initiatives were undertaken during the UNASTW period to strengthen science diplomacy in the Turkic world. He emphasized that TÜBA actively participated in international congresses, workshops, and scientific meetings held in Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Azerbaijan. He stated that the 1st International Conference and Workshop on Artificial Intelligence Ethics in the Turkic World presented a common vision in terms of ethical and academic cooperation in the digital transformation process. The closing session of the General Assembly was held under the title “Commitment to the Future of Turkish Science.” The General Assembly ended after a group photo was taken.
The Union of National Academies of Sciences of the Turkic World (UNASTW) consisting: Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Türkiye, Bashkortostan, Uzbekistan, Tatarstan, and the International Turkic Academy. The Union was established to expand comprehensive cooperation among its members, create favorable conditions for the development and implementation of all fundamental and applied research and innovative projects in the fields of science and education, prepare proposals on joint fundamental and applied research and projects, train competent experts in various fields of science and education, and develop their skills.