Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences

On November 5, the 8th General Assembly of the Union of National Academies of Sciences of the Turkic World (UNASTW) was held at the Presidium of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences (ANAS) as part of the Academy’s 80th anniversary celebrations.

The event brought together the heads of national academies of sciences from Turkic countries who are visiting Azerbaijan to participate in the jubilee events of ANAS.

At the meeting, President of ANAS, academician Isa Habibbayli, delivered a presentation titled “Turkological Challenges of the 21st Century and Preparation for the Turkological Congress.” He emphasized that the speech delivered by President Ilham Aliyev during the anniversary ceremony of ANAS has outlined the key directions for the future development of Azerbaijani science. Academician Habibbayli highlighted the historical importance of the Presidential Decree “On Celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the First Turkological Congress” and noted that ANAS has developed an action plan in this regard.

The ANAS president praised the activities of the Union of National Academies of Sciences of the Turkic World, describing it as an important platform contributing to the strengthening of scientific integration among Turkic states. He pointed out that the ideas put forward at the First Turkological Congress are being realized today in a new historical context, and that brotherhood and cultural cooperation among Turkic nations have taken on a systemic character. Referring to President Ilham Aliyev’s statement, “Our family is the Turkic world,” he underlined the strategic importance of joint initiatives in the fields of science and education.

Speaking about the new stage in the development of Turkology in Azerbaijan, academician Habibbayli stated that specialized departments on Turkology have been established in ANAS research institutes, and significant steps have been taken toward comparative studies of Turkic languages and the identification of new scientific priorities. He also noted that the idea of a common alphabet is now being implemented at the level of the Organization of Turkic States, and Azerbaijani scholars are carrying out substantial research in this direction. Habibbayli added that about ten books on the First Turkological Congress will be published in various languages by ANAS.

President of the International Turkic Academy, academician Shakhin Mustafayev, presented a report titled “Scientific Integration Process of the Academies of Sciences of the Turkic World: Achievements and Vision for the Future.” Expressing his satisfaction with participating in the event, he emphasized that the 80th anniversary of ANAS reflects the significant progress of Azerbaijan in science, culture, and technology. Mustafayev noted that both the Union of National Academies of Sciences of the Turkic World and the International Turkic Academy play a vital role in strengthening the scientific and cultural unity of Turkic peoples. He added that since its establishment, the International Turkic Academy has become a leading center for cooperation in science, education, and culture across the Turkic world, and in recent years, its activities have gained new substance in line with the strategic vision of the Organization of Turkic States.

In his speech, academician Mustafayev spoke about joint initiatives aimed at deepening scientific integration among Turkic states. He noted that the inclusion of natural and applied sciences within the scope of the Turkic Academy’s activities, as decided at the 2023 Summit of the Organization of Turkic States in Astana, opened a new stage in scientific cooperation. He also highlighted the preparation of TÜBİTAK’s “Strategic Scientific Research Cooperation Agenda among Turkic States,” the creation of funding mechanisms for joint research projects, and the establishment of the Turkology Summer School as a platform for academic exchange among young scientists. Mustafayev stressed that in the era of artificial intelligence, digital technologies, and climate change, joint scientific efforts among Turkic countries significantly contribute to both regional and global scientific progress.

Later, the term president of the Union of National Academies of Sciences of the Turkic World and President of the Turkish Academy of Sciences (TÜBA), Professor Muzaffer Şeker, delivered a report titled “Activities of the Union of National Academies of Sciences of the Turkic World (UNASTW) for 2024–2025.” He emphasized that scientific cooperation among Turkic states has entered a new phase.

The TÜBA president noted that the 6th Turkic States Summer School held in August 2024 in Turkistan, Kazakhstan, as well as scientific seminars on “Energy” and “Turkology,” played an intellectual bridge-building role among Turkic countries. He added that such initiatives—jointly implemented by the International Turkic Academy, TÜBA, the Turkish Language Association, and other partner institutions—enable young researchers to gain valuable international experience.

The meeting also featured speeches by President of the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Uzbekistan, academician Shavkat Ayupov; Vice President of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Kazakhstan under the President of Kazakhstan, academician Askar Dzhumadildayev; Chairman of the Azerbaijani Press Council, Rashad Majid; and others. The speakers discussed issues related to strengthening scientific cooperation in the Turkic world, establishing common scientific platforms, and promoting the integration of young scholars. They commended the leading role of ANAS in the field of science and emphasized the importance of further developing scientific ties among Turkic countries.

Following that, Leyla Hasanova, project manager at the Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation, read a congratulatory letter from the Foundation’s president, Aktoty Raimkulova, on the occasion of ANAS’s 80th anniversary.

Subsequently, Doctor of Philosophy in Philology, Asmar Aliyeva, head of the Documents and Protocol Department of the Presidium of ANAS, drew attention to the decision adopted at the 43rd General Conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in Samarkand to declare December 15 as the World Day of the Turkic Language Family.

At the end of the event, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between ANAS and the Turkish Academy of Sciences on the organization of the “2026 Turkology Congress.” The document was signed by academician Isa Habibbayli and Professor Muzaffer Şeker.

Translation: Gulhane Aghayeva, Department of Public Relations, Press and Information Office of the Presidium of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences

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