BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 11. On September 9, 2026, the opening ceremony of the International Altay Communities Symposium – XIV on the theme “The Past, Present, and Future of Altay Studies” was held in Baku, hosted by the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences (ANAS).
The Symposium is held with the support of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences, the Presidency for Turks Abroad and Related Communities, the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA), the Turkish Historical Society, the Organization of Turkic States (OTS), the Turkic Academy, and Al-Farabi Kazakh National University.
The international scientific event, dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the First Turkological Congress, brought together renowned scholars and researchers from various countries, as well as representatives of scientific and cultural institutions of the Turkic world.
Speaking as an honorary guest at the opening ceremony, President of the Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation, Professor Aktoty Raimkulova, emphasized the particular significance of holding the XIV International Symposium of Altay Communities in Baku in a year marking the 100th anniversary of the First Turkological Congress. Professor Aktoty Raimkulova also spoke about the international projects implemented by the Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation within the framework of the 100th anniversary of the First Turkological Congress.
The opening ceremony also featured speeches by President of ANAS, Academician Isa Habibbeyli; Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Türkiye to the Republic of Azerbaijan, Professor Dr. Birol Akgün; President of the International Turkic Academy, Academician Shahin Mustafayev; President of the Turkish Historical Society, Professor Dr. Haluk Selvi; Vice President of ANAS, Academician Govhar Bakhsaliyeva; and Head of the Symposium of Altaic Communities, Professor Dr. Ilhan Şahin.
Held on September 9–12, the International Altay Communities Symposium – XIV features presentations and discussions on various aspects of Altaic Studies, the ancient history, languages and cultural relations of Turkic peoples, as well as the prospects for contemporary academic research.
