Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences

President of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences (ANAS), Academician Isa Habibbayli, delivered a report titled “Turkological Challenges of the 21st Century and Preparation for the Turkological Congress” at the 8th General Assembly of the Union of National Academies of Sciences of the Turkic World (UNASTW), held as part of the events marking the 80th anniversary of ANAS.

In his address, Academician Isa Habibbayli emphasized that the profound speech delivered by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, at the 80th anniversary celebration of ANAS on November 3, 2025, has defined the future directions for the development of the Academy and Azerbaijani science in general. He also underlined the significance of the Presidential Decree dated October 22, 2025, “On the Celebration of the 100th Anniversary of the First Turkological Congress,” for the scientific community. He noted that, in accordance with this important document, ANAS has developed an action plan for the anniversary and has already launched a series of events dedicated to the centenary of the First Turkological Congress. The first of these, a scientific conference titled “From Past to Present: The First Turkological Congress – 100 Years of Common Turkic Humanitarian Thought and Perspectives,” was held on September 30 at the Presidium of ANAS in cooperation with the Turkish Language Association.

The head of ANAS expressed confidence that Azerbaijani scholars and the scientific community of the Turkic world will continue to work together productively to address key scientific challenges. He recalled his participation in the founding session of the Union of Academies of Sciences of the Turkic World, held on June 29, 2015, in Astana, Kazakhstan.

Academician Isa Habibbayli stated that the Union of National Academies of Sciences of the Turkic World is currently operating actively and purposefully, contributing significantly to the expansion of scientific cooperation and the strengthening of integration among Turkic states. He noted that many of the ideas first established at the First Turkological Congress are now being implemented in a consistent manner under new historical conditions. The relationships among Turkic states, built on fraternity and alliance, and the efforts to deepen cultural cooperation have now gained a systematic and sustainable character. He expressed his belief that this cooperation will continue to grow stronger in the future.

According to the academician, the leadership of Professor Muzaffer Şeker, President of the Turkish Academy of Sciences, plays a crucial role in deepening scientific integration among Turkic countries. He added that hosting the 8th General Assembly of the Union at ANAS is both a great honor and responsibility for Azerbaijani science: “Through this initiative, ANAS makes a valuable contribution to the development of science in the Turkic world, the formation of common scientific values, and the strengthening of cooperation among brotherly nations.”

Academician Habibbayli also recalled President Ilham Aliyev’s statement, “Our family is the Turkic world,” made during the inauguration ceremony at the Milli Majlis (Parliament) on February 14, 2024, and stressed that this idea now serves as the ideological foundation for the unity of Turkic states based on common values. In this context, he highlighted the strategic importance of joint initiatives, particularly in science and education, among Turkic countries.

He underlined that Turkology in Azerbaijan, built upon a rich scientific tradition over many decades, has now entered a new stage of development. Significant progress is being made in comparative studies of Turkic languages, the identification of new research priorities, and the application of modern scientific approaches.

“Strengthening specialist training across all areas of linguistics, expanding research directions, and aligning scientific activities with the challenges of the 21st century are among the key tasks before Turkology,” said the academician. He noted that the Turkology departments at the Institutes of Oriental Studies and Linguistics of ANAS have long been operating successfully. In response to new challenges, new departments have been established at ANAS — including “The History and Modern Philosophy of Turkic Peoples” at the Institute of Philosophy and Sociology, and “Turkic Art History and Cultural Heritage” at the Institute of Architecture and Art. Additionally, the department formerly known as “Ethnography of Turkic Peoples” at the Institute of History has been renamed “History and Ethnology of Turkic Peoples.” Similar initiatives are underway in other institutes as well.

Habibbayli recalled that during the 12th Summit of the Organization of Turkic States held in Qabala in October 2025, President Ilham Aliyev emphasized the historical importance of the First Turkological Congress held in Baku in 1926 and proposed that its 100th anniversary be celebrated under the auspices of the Organization of Turkic States. He noted that the President’s remarks on shared historical and ethnic roots and common languages reflected the idea of unity as a family among Turkic nations. The ideals presented by the 1926 Congress, he said, are now being realized through the Organization of Turkic States and the growing solidarity of Turkic peoples.

He also recalled that under the leadership of National Leader Heydar Aliyev, the 1300th anniversary of “Kitabi-Dede Qorqud” was celebrated at the Presidium of ANAS with the participation of Turkish President Süleyman Demirel, Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev, Uzbek President Islam Karimov, and other leaders, marking a politically significant event for the Turkic world.

Academician Habibbayli reminded that the First Turkological Congress took place from February 26 to March 6, 1926, in the Great Hall of the ANAS Presidium, and proposed that the 100th anniversary summit of the Congress be held in the same historic building. He also noted that the Congress’s ideas on adopting a unified alphabet were reflected in the 2024 meeting of the Turkic World Common Alphabet Commission, established by the Organization of Turkic States.

The academician also provided information about upcoming publications on the First Turkological Congress. He announced that a 600-page research work titled “Lessons of the First Turkological Congress” by Academician Nizami Jafarov will be published by ANAS. The stenographic record of the Congress, originally in Russian, will also be translated and presented to the public. Additionally, Professor Nadir Mammadli, Director of the Institute of Linguistics, has discovered previously classified archival documents of the Congress and is preparing them for publication.

The head of ANAS stressed the importance of preparing an informational book and a photo album featuring archival images to raise public awareness about the First Turkological Congress. Academician Isa Habibbayli concluded that ANAS plans to publish about ten books in various languages related to the First Turkological Congress.

Translation by Gulhane Aghayeva, Department of Public Relations, Press, and Information, Presidium of ANAS.

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