BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 6.President of the Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation, Mrs. Aktoty Raimkulova, delivered a speech as a speaker at the Experts’ Roundtable titled “Cultural Diplomacy and Collective Identity in Central Asia: Pathways to Regional Connectivity and Unity,” held within the framework of TRT World Forum 2025 in Istanbul TurkicWorld reports.
During the panel, Mrs. Aktoty Raimkulova shared her insights about the Foundation’s activities, ongoing projects, and efforts aimed at strengthening cultural integration across the Turkic world.
Mrs. Raimkulova also highlighted the Foundation’s cooperation with UNESCO, ICESCO, the Organization of Turkic States (OTS), TURKSOY, the Turkic Academy, TURKPA, and other international institutions, noting that these partnerships have allowed the voice of the Turkic world to be heard on a global level.
Emphasizing the importance of academic exchanges, common language and education programs in fostering closer relations among peoples, the Foundation’s President drew attention to a number of implemented initiatives — including the series “Pearls of Turkic Literature,” “Scientific Pearls of the Turkic World,” “Outstanding Personalities of the Turkic World,” and “Historical Pearls of the Turkic World,” as well as the digital platform TurkDiscovery, which plays a significant educational and promotional role at the international level.
Ms. Raimkulova also spoke about the Foundation’s exemplary projects in the field of cultural heritage preservation and promotion - such as the Catalogue of Turkic Cultural Heritage: “The Cultural Code of the Turkic World” and the Anthology of “Heritage of Turkic Folklore”, the international conference dedicated to the 950th anniversary of “Divanü Lugat-it-Türk”, jubilee events dedicated to Ashig Alasgar and Uzeyir Hajibeyli, the “Qurama” Art Festival, the “MIRAS” Forum of Ethnodesigners, and other important initiatives.
According to Mrs. Raimkulova, the main goal of the Foundation is to transform the heritage of the past into the values of the future and to strengthen sustainable cooperation, dialogue, and unity among nations through culture.
The session, moderated by TRT World anchor and correspondent Jafer Hasnain, featured speeches by former Prime Minister of the Kyrgyz Republic Joomart Otorbaev, former Minister of Culture, Information, Sports and Youth Policy of the Kyrgyz Republic Azamat Jamankulov, TURKSOY Secretary General Sultan Raev, and the European Union Special Representative for Central Asia Eduards Stiprais.
The discussion focused on the role of cultural diplomacy, common identity, and shared heritage in fostering regional cooperation in Central Asia, and was attended by representatives of international organizations, government officials, experts, and media members.
