The Herat Public Library, established nearly 100 years ago in the historic city of Herat, Afghanistan, has undergone comprehensive maintenance and renovations. This project was carried out in partnership with Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) and the Herat Provincial Directorate of Information and Culture.
The opening ceremony of the Herat Public Library, a place frequently visited by academics, university students and cultural and intellectual figures from Herat for research and reading, was attended by the Turkish Consul General in Herat, Sinan İlhan; TİKA’s Coordinator in Herat, Arafat Deniz; Herat Director of Information and Culture, Ahmedullah Muttaki; President of the Turkish Scientific and Literary Work Owners’ Association (ILESAM), Mehmet Nuri Parmaksız; as well as academics and writers.
Speaking at the opening, Herat Consul General İlhan expressed his hope that the renewed Herat Public Library, supported by TİKA, would be beneficial to the people of Herat.
“Turkish Corner”
During the ceremony, TİKA’s Coordinator in Herat Deniz announced the establishment of a “Turkish Corner” within the library, where 2,000 books had been provided.
Herat Director of Information and Culture, Muttaki highlighted that TİKA has implemented people-centered projects throughout Afghanistan, particularly in the western region and Herat.
Muttaki also emphasized Türkiye’s long-standing friendly and constructive role in Afghanistan and extended his gratitude to the Turkish state and its people for their ongoing support.
ILESAM President Parmaksız shared that they have donated books to numerous countries, delivering 180,000 books to readers on behalf of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Türkiye.
Parmaksız concluded by stating that they are building enduring bridges through libraries.
Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) has upgraded the production line with new machinery and installed labeling-enabled packaging and bottling equipment as part of the “Fruit and Vegetable Juice and Jam Production Line Development Project,” carried out in collaboration with the Association of Agro-Tourism in Lepoglava, Croatia.
The opening ceremony of the project was attended by Türkiye’s Ambassador to Zagreb, Hayriye Nurdan Erpulat Altuntaş; TİKA’s Vice President, Dr. Mahmut Çevik; Lepoglava Mayor, Marijan Škvarić; representatives from the Agricultural Tourism Association and other local associations; officials from public institutions in Lepoglava; and TİKA representatives.
In her speech, Ambassador Altuntaş remarked, “The project implemented by TİKA serves as an exemplary initiative, not only for its economic impact on the region but also for its role in empowering women.”
TİKA’s Vice President Dr. Mahmut Çevik highlighted that TİKA has implemented numerous projects, particularly in agriculture, across the Balkans and Eastern Europe, emphasizing agriculture’s vital role in economic development. He noted that the project in Lepoglava is a continuation of previous initiatives and expressed satisfaction with the local community’s ownership of the project. Dr. Çevik further stated that the project would support the branding of locally produced goods and enhance the region’s visibility and promotion.
Officials from the Lepoglava Agro-Tourism Association also expressed their gratitude to TİKA and Türkiye for the support provided.
132 Tons of Fruits and Vegetables Processed in TİKA-Supported Production Line
The Fruit and Vegetable Juice Production Line became operational in 2022, followed by the Jam Production Line in 2023. Since then, 132 tons of fruits and vegetables have been processed, resulting in the production of over 69,000 liters/kilos of fruit juice and jam. The range of fruits and vegetables used in production has been expanded to include new products such as ginger, green lemon, tangerine, orange, pomegranate, carrot, beet and ajvar.
The production line in Lepoglava is available to everyone free of charge with no minimum requirement. This initiative has contributed to a rise in agricultural activities and production in the region, leading to a significant increase in local incomes.
Gagauz-language cartoons, developed with the support of Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) to preserve the Gagauz language and pass it on to future generations, have started airing.
Sixteen cartoons produced in the Gagauz language with the support of TİKA have started airing on Gagauz Radio Television, a Moldovan channel. Additionally, with the support of the Gagauz Education Directorate, these cartoons are being shown to children in nurseries across the country.
The cartoon series, featuring entirely original characters, music and scripts in the Gagauz language, marks a historic first for the Gagauz people.
The cartoon series “Güneşä Karşı,” which has been highly praised by children, highlights Gagauz customs and traditions, helping children and young people gain a deeper understanding of their own culture.
Previously, cartoons aired in the Gagauz language were imported from other countries and broadcast with dubbed audio.
Gagauz voice-over, Romanian subtitles
Since 2020, a bilingual language learning program in Gagauzia has been implemented in preschool education institutions, focusing on both Gagauz and Romanian. To support this initiative, the newly produced cartoons feature Gagauz voice-over with Romanian subtitles.
This approach not only fosters children’s interest in the Gagauz language but also helps them learn Romanian, the official language of Moldova.
TİKA supports the preservation of the Gagauz language
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has classified the Gagauz language, part of the Oghuz branch of Turkic languages and known as the closest relative to Turkish, as endangered.
In response, since 1994, when TİKA began its activities in Moldova, the agency has supported numerous projects and initiatives aimed at preserving the Gagauz language and ensuring its transmission to future generations.
As part of the “No Barriers to Smile – Support for the Development of Oral and Dental Health Services in Tuzla Canton Health Houses Project,” implemented by Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) in Tuzla Canton—the most populous canton in Bosnia and Herzegovina—dental clinics were established in two separate health centers.
The project, implemented in collaboration with the Ministry of Health of Tuzla Canton, aimed to provide dental care services to all citizens with a particular focus on individuals with special needs, children and the elderly, at the Dr. Mustafa Šehović and Gradačac Health Centers. The dental treatment facilities established under the project were specifically designed to ensure that individuals with disabilities could receive care comfortably, making them the only clinics in Tuzla Canton equipped with this capability.
The opening ceremony of the clinics was attended by Mirela Bećirović, the spouse of Denis Bećirović, a member of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina; Sadık Babür Girgin, Turkish Ambassador to Sarajevo; Dušanka Bećirović, Tuzla Canton Health Minister; Erdinç Işık, TİKA’s Coordinator in Sarajevo; Samir Mačković, Tuzla Health Center Manager; and other distinguished guests.
Speaking at the ceremony, Ambassador Girgin expressed his satisfaction with the implementation of the project, noting that the clinic in Tuzla is equipped to serve 5,000 individuals with special needs and disabilities annually.
Mirela Bećirović thanked TİKA for promptly addressing the oral and dental health service needs of the Tuzla Health Center.
Tuzla Canton Health Minister Dušanka Bećirović highlighted the longstanding collaboration with TİKA on significant health projects, emphasizing that the opening of the oral and dental health clinic would help retain young healthcare professionals in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Samir Macković mentioned the importance of the dental clinic, which became operational after 15 years thanks to the project. He expressed his gratitude for being able to offer citizens the quality services they deserve and extended his thanks to the Turkish government and people.
The oral and dental health clinics in the health centers renovated by TİKA are now open to all citizens, providing treatments free of charge.
With the support of Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA), the “Turkology in Photographs” art exhibition was organized to mark the 30th anniversary of the Turkology Department, which has been a part of the University of Zagreb’s Faculty of Philosophy since 1994.
The event, held as part of the “30th Anniversary Reception,” was attended by Türkiye’s Ambassador to Zagreb, Hayriye Nurdan Erpulat Altuntaş; TİKA’s Vice President, Dr. Mahmut Çevik; Dean of the Faculty of Philosophy at the University of Zagreb, Prof. Dr. Domagoj Tončinic; Founder of the University of Zagreb’s Turkology Department, Prof. Dr. Ekrem Čaušević; as well as officials from TİKA and the Yunus Emre Institute.
Speaking at the event, Türkiye’s Ambassador to Zagreb, Hayriye Nurdan Erpulat Altuntaş, highlighted the contributions of the Turkology Department to the relations between Türkiye and Croatia. She expressed her pleasure at the growing interest in Turkish culture and language in Croatia. Ambassador Altuntaş also extended her gratitude to those who supported the Turkology Department and took the opportunity to remind attendees that Prof. Dr. Ekrem Čaušević, who played a pivotal role in establishing the department, was awarded the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Distinguished Service Award in 2011.
TİKA’s Vice President Dr. Mahmut Çevik also emphasized the importance of Turkology in preserving Turkish culture, language and identity, and expressed his gratitude to those who have contributed to this effort. He explained that TİKA has supported more than 120 Turkology projects across the Balkan region, stating that they view language as a tool for peace in the Balkans, where diverse ethnic cultures coexist.
The Turkology Department was founded in 1994 by Prof. Dr. Ekrem Čaušević with very limited resources and continues its work today through the students he trained. It is the fourth most popular department at the University of Zagreb, following the English, German and Italian departments, and currently hosts approximately 170 students for the 2024-2025 academic year.
The Turkology Department offers its students education not only in the Turkish language but also in Turkish culture. Additionally, lecturers from Türkiye periodically teach courses. Graduates of the department make significant contributions to diplomatic, commercial and cultural relations between Türkiye and Croatia.
The events held to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Turkology Department with the support of TİKA aim to strengthen academic and cultural ties between Türkiye and Croatia.
Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) has upgraded the ultrasound equipment at Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC), Pakistan’s largest teaching and research hospital, which offers free healthcare services to its patients.
The equipment delivery ceremony at the hospital was attended by the Turkish Consul General in Karachi, Cemal Sangu and TİKA’s Coordinator in Karachi, Halil İbrahim Başaran, along with hospital administrators and academics.
Speaking at the delivery ceremony, Consul General Sangu expressed his gratitude on behalf of Türkiye for TİKA’s contributions to the development of the hospital.
TİKA’s Coordinator in Karachi, Başaran also highlighted his satisfaction with the impact of TİKA’s projects on both the hospital’s transformation and the well-being of the people of Pakistan. He reaffirmed TİKA’s commitment to continuing its support for Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre.
Hospital Director Prof. Dr. Tariq Mahmood highlighted that TİKA’s projects serve as a significant model in the healthcare sector. He noted that these initiatives have a profound social impact, particularly benefiting financially disadvantaged families and expressed his gratitude to TİKA and Türkiye for their continued support.
The kitchen of the Women’s Shelter, operated by the S.O.S. Association for Women Victims of Violence in Algeria, has been renovated by Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) and outfitted with modern kitchenware.
The S.O.S. Women’s Shelter for Victims of Violence holds significant importance for women who have experienced violence and lack a safe place to stay. With a capacity to accommodate 50 individuals, the shelter is currently home to 22 women. This center plays a vital role in addressing the shelter and rehabilitation needs of women affected by violence.
The opening ceremony for the kitchen, renovated by TİKA, was attended by Gökçen Kalkan, TİKA’s Coordinator in Algiers; Birsen Küçükyılmaz, spouse of the Türkiye’ Ambassador to Algeria; Meryem Belala, President of the Association; and association volunteers.
In addition to meeting the nutritional needs of the women residing at the center, the kitchen aims to offer training in cooking and dessert preparation, equipping them with valuable professional skills.
Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA), in collaboration with the Kemalgerayan Behzad Art Research Center, has launched a two-month marbling art training workshop for women tailors in Herat, Afghanistan.
The workshop provided marbling art training to 200 women, focusing on applications for headscarves, paper, dresses, shawls and other items.
The marbled products were showcased at the World Tourism Day exhibition, organized in cooperation with TİKA’s Office in Herat and the Herat Culture Directorate, where they garnered significant attention.
The training aims to enhance women’s artistic skills, empower them economically and promote their active participation in social life.
The opening ceremony of the Recep Tayyip Erdoğan Bishkek Kyrgyz-Turkish Friendship State Hospital, constructed by Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) in Kyrgyzstan, was held with the participation of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
The modern, 72-bed Recep Tayyip Erdoğan Bishkek Kyrgyz-Turkish Friendship State Hospital, built by TİKA in Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan, on a site covering approximately 12,000 square meters, was inaugurated during an official ceremony attended by the President of the Republic of Türkiye, Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
The opening ceremony of the hospital was attended by President Erdoğan; President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), Ersin Tatar; Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hakan Fidan; Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Alparslan Bayraktar; Minister of Culture and Tourism, Mehmet Nuri Ersoy; Minister of National Defense, Yaşar Güler; Minister of Health, Kemal Memişoğlu; Minister of Trade, Ömer Bolat; Chairman of the Council of Elders of the Organization of Turkic States (TDT), Binali Yıldırım; TİKA’s President, Serkan Kayalar; TİKA’s Vice President, Ümit Naci Yorulmaz; and TİKA’s Head of the Department for Central Asia and Caucasus, Ali Özgün Öztürk.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, President Erdoğan expressed his satisfaction in bringing the hospital to Kyrgyzstan, stating “We feel nothing but pride in establishing such a hospital.”
Minister of Health Kemal Memişoğlu noted that the hospital is equipped to perform all types of liver and kidney transplants.
Following the recitation of prayers, President Erdoğan and his delegation cut the ribbon to officially inaugurate the hospital.
After the ceremony, President Erdoğan inspected the facility and received a briefing from the hospital’s officials.
About the Recep Tayyip Erdoğan Bishkek Kyrgyz-Turkish Friendship State Hospital
The Recep Tayyip Erdoğan Bishkek Kyrgyz-Turkish Friendship State Hospital, which began accepting its first patients on October 15, 2021, offers services in various specialties including cardiology, cardiovascular surgery, pulmonary medicine, anesthesiology and critical care, radiology and emergency medicine.
The hospital, which provides advanced diagnostic and treatment services with its two operating rooms, one angiography unit and 22 intensive care beds, conducts over 15,000 examinations, nearly 200 cardiovascular surgeries and approximately 1,800 angiograms each year.
Equipped with high-tech devices including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computerized tomography (CT), mammography, Doppler ultrasonography and interventional radiology equipment, the hospital has seen numerous successful organ transplant surgeries performed by both Kyrgyz and Turkish doctors.
First Lady Emine Erdoğan, accompanying President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on his official visit to Kyrgyzstan, attended the opening ceremony of the Bilim Bişkek Innovation Center, established in Bishkek with support from Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA).
The opening ceremony of the “Bilim Bişkek Innovation Center” project, established through the collaboration of TİKA, the Turkish Technology Team Foundation (T3), Kyrgyzpatent and J. Balasagyn Kyrgyz National University, took place in Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan with the participation of First Lady Emine Erdoğan.
Alongside Ms. Erdoğan, the ceremony was attended by TİKA’s President, Serkan Kayalar; Vice President, Ümit Naci Yorulmaz; T3 Foundation General Manager, Elvan Kuzucu Hıdır; Kyrgyzpatent Director, Rahat Kerimbayeva; J. Balasagyn Kyrgyz National University Vice President, Alaybek Şamsiye; TİKA’s Head of the Department for Central Asia and Caucasus, Ali Özgün Öztürk and other notable guests.
During the ceremony, which featured a performance of traditional Kyrgyz folk dance, Ms. Erdoğan cut the ribbon of the science center, extending her congratulations.
Following the ribbon-cutting, Ms. Erdoğan toured the center’s workshops, including those for robotics coding, mathematics, design, aviation and astronomy. She observed the students at work and engaged with them individually.
At the conclusion of the program, Ms. Erdoğan was presented with a gift, followed by a group photo to commemorate the event.
The “Bilim Bişkek Innovation Center,” with its equipment and landscaping provided by TİKA, has been designed as a hub for children and young people to explore and engage with science.
The center features workshops in natural sciences, astronomy, aviation and space, design, mathematics and hands-on experiments.
Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) completed the renovation and repair of Olam Karşigak Secondary School in the Dawlatabad district of Balkh Province. Originally built in 2011, the school sustained damage during recent conflicts. Following its restoration, the school was officially reopened.
The opening ceremony was attended by Dr. Ali Özgün Öztürk, TİKA’s Head of the Department for Central Asia and Caucasus (OAK); Mufti Abdul Şükür Osmani, Balkh Province National Education Director; Mevlevi Zilgey Fayzani, Dawlatabad District National Education Director; Mikail Taşdemir, TİKA’s Program Coordinator in Mazar-i-Sharif; as well as teachers, students, parents and local authorities.
Speaking at the ceremony, Öztürk highlighted that TİKA operates in Afghanistan through three offices and has implemented over 650 projects, primarily in education and healthcare, in Northern Afghanistan since 2005. He emphasized Türkiye’s continued commitment to supporting Afghanistan’s development and expressed his hope that the newly renovated school would benefit Afghan students and the wider community.
In his remarks, Osmani touched on the strong bonds of friendship and brotherhood between Türkiye and Afghanistan. He conveyed his gratitude to TİKA and the Turkish people for their development projects and initiatives in Northern Afghanistan.
Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA), in partnership with the Bir İnsan Dünyaya Bedeldir Health and Education Villages Volunteers Association (BİSEG), has organized a comprehensive healthcare initiative for Rohingya Muslims in Bangladesh.
Volunteer health personnel from various provinces in Türkiye, along with representatives from the BİSEG Volunteers Platform, conducted a health initiative at TİKA Multipurpose Education and Culture Center in Sector 16 of the Kutupalong Refugee Camp in Cox’s Bazar.
A mobile clinic, previously donated by TİKA, also played an active role in delivering healthcare services.
In total, 1,937 patients received care at the health camp with 701 treated in the ear, nose and throat department, 1,039 in general medicine and 197 in dental care.
On the final day, services continued at Teknaf Moin Uddin Memorial College.
About the Multipurpose Center
Opened in 2023, the Multipurpose Center offers support to asylum seekers across various fields.
The center provides vocational training in areas such as bamboo craft, woodworking, electronics and sewing as well as a space for cultural activities. Notably, the Burmese book library—the first of its kind in the camps—enables refugees to preserve their cultural identity.
About Bangladesh
With a population exceeding 170 million, Bangladesh is one of the most populous countries in the world. Despite positive developments in recent years, serious challenges persist in the health sector. According to United Nations data, high infant mortality rates, a low healthcare budget and an insufficient number of health professionals remain among the country’s primary health issues.
TİKA continues its humanitarian aid efforts for Rohingya Muslims who sought refuge in Bangladesh following the violence in Myanmar’s Rakhine State in August 2017.
