Today, December 15, a ceremonial event was held in Astana to mark the 15th anniversary of the International Turkic Academy and the World Turkic Language Family Day, established by UNESCO.
As part of the celebration, an exhibition of the Academy’s scientific publications produced over the past fifteen years was organized. The exhibition showcased key collective works, monographs, and series reflecting the main directions of the Academy’s research.
Complementing the book exhibition, a photo gallery highlighted the most significant stages in the establishment and development of the Turkic Academy, its international projects, scientific expeditions, archaeological research, as well as major initiatives implemented in cooperation with Turkic states.
At the ceremonial reception, congratulatory speeches were delivered by the President of the Turkic Academy, Prof. Dr. Shain Mustafayev, Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan Sayasat Nurbek, public figure and diplomat, former member of the Council of Elders of the Organization of Turkic States, Professor Adil Akhmetov, and Rector of Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Professor Zhanseit Tuimebayev.
The anniversary event was also attended by Members of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan, ambassadors and official representatives of diplomatic missions from Turkic countries, representatives of Turkic cooperation organizations, heads of government bodies, leaders of Kazakhstan’s top universities, libraries and museums, as well as prominent scholars and media executives.
In his speech, President of the Turkic Academy Shain Mustafayev emphasized the special symbolic significance of holding the anniversary in Kazakhstan, noting that Kazakhstan had initiated the establishment of the Turkic Academy at the 2009 Summit of Turkic States in Nakhchivan, and that the foundations of the organization were laid in Astana in 2010.
He noted that over fifteen years, the Academy has established itself as a unique scientific hub for the Turkic world, making a significant contribution to the development of scientific cooperation, the preservation of common historical and cultural heritage, and the strengthening of intellectual integration among Turkic states.
“The Academy conducts fundamental projects in history, archaeology, ethnography, literature, linguistics, terminology, arts, and socio-economic studies. The results of these studies have been published in scientific works aimed at strengthening Turkic unity and providing guidance for future generations. Special attention is given to archaeological research in Mongolia (Nomgon) and in Kazakhstan, in Jankent and the Mangystau region, whose findings have been widely presented to the scientific community. Last year, with the support of the Academy, the Common Turkic Alphabet was adopted, and work is underway on the academic monograph History of the Turkic Peoples at the request of the heads of state,” - said the Academy’s President.
Mustafayev also highlighted that the Academy actively promotes integration in science and education through academic exchange programs, the Union of Universities of Turkic States (TURKUNIB), and the ORHUN initiative, creating a platform for the development of a common scientific and intellectual space. He added that the Academy will continue to expand scientific diplomacy and strengthen cultural and academic cooperation among Turkic states.
At the conclusion of his speech, Mustafayev emphasized Kazakhstan’s role as an emerging regional center of science and education, highlighting the importance of collaborative research, academic mobility, and scientific diplomacy. He also congratulated everyone on the World Turkic Language Family Day, underlining the significance of preserving and promoting the shared linguistic and cultural heritage of the Turkic peoples.
The ceremonial reception concluded with a concert program showcasing the rich musical traditions of Turkic countries.