Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) has provided technical equipment to a sewing workshop affiliated with the Gabon Fashion Festival Association (FEMOGA) in Libreville, the capital of Gabon, to expand access to vocational training for women and youth and support their economic independence.
According to the World Bank’s 2024 Development Indicators, the female labor force participation rate in Gabon stands at 35.7%, while the youth employment rate is 31.4%, both below the Sub-Saharan Africa average. Reports by the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) further show that most women and young people in the country are engaged in low-skilled, informal, and insecure jobs or remain economically dependent.
Through this project, FEMOGA aims to provide practical training in sewing, embroidery, and textiles to 100 participants. With the equipment supplied by TİKA, the workshop has been transformed into a high-quality and sustainable training environment.
The handover ceremony, held at FEMOGA’s headquarters, was attended by Türkiye’s Ambassador to Libreville, Can İncesu, TİKA’s Vice President, Rahman Nurdun, and his delegation, Gabon’s Director General of Tourism and Handicrafts, Nzatsi Moussavou, and FEMOGA representatives.
In his speech, Ambassador İncesu underlined the importance of FEMOGA’s efforts to strengthen the production capacity of women and youth and expressed his satisfaction with the continued deepening of cooperation with TİKA.
TİKA’s Vice President, Nurdun, highlighted that the active participation of women and youth in economic life is a cornerstone of sustainable development, stressing that the workshop will not only provide vocational skills but also foster local production and preserve cultural identity.
Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) has established a collection center in the city of Gjilan, Kosovo, to support grape producers in the region.
The opening ceremony was attended by Türkiye’s Ambassador to Pristina, Sabri Tunç Angılı; TİKA’s Coordinator in Pristina, Fulya Aslan; Gjilan Mayor, Alban Hyseni; President of the Kosovo Grape Association, Kujtim Lepaja; as well as many local farmers.
In his speech, Ambassador Angılı emphasized the importance of the project, stating: “Food security is a critical issue for many nations, including Kosovo. We realized this even more clearly during the pandemic. Therefore, projects like this are of great importance in contributing to Kosovo’s food security.”
TİKA’s Coordinator in Pristina, Aslan, also highlighted the agency’s contributions, saying: “As TİKA, we carry out numerous projects to support rural development and improve the agricultural sector in Kosovo. Over the past 11 years, we have implemented 11 projects across different regions of the country to strengthen grape production. In Gjilan, products harvested under this project will be quickly frozen and stored, ensuring no loss of quality or yield. The project aims to increase household incomes and export opportunities for grape producers while contributing to the national economy.”
Gjilan Mayor Alban Hyseni said, “As a municipality, we have signed important projects to contribute to grape production. However, when we initiated this project, our main goal was to ensure sustainability. We have seen that true sustainability can only be achieved through the support of farmers. Thus, with TİKA’s support, all the links in this chain have been completed.”
Kosovo Grapes Association President Lepaja said, “TİKA’s support will play an important role in the cultivation of grapes, particularly raspberries. With proper infrastructure, production in this sector increases significantly. This collection center has a storage capacity of 20 tons at a time, amounting to up to 200 tons over the course of a year. In this way, around 50 hectares of land in and around Gjilan can be effectively utilized.”
Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) has established five greenhouses in the city of Jenin as part of the “Palestinian Turkmen Agricultural Production Project”, which supports agriculture and employment in Palestine.
A significant portion of the Turkmen population, who settled in Palestine at various points in history and now number nearly 40,000 in the West Bank and Gaza, earn their livelihood through agriculture and animal husbandry. However, the cancellation of work permits in Israel following its attacks on Gaza has left many Turkmen unemployed.
Launched in 2016 with TİKA’s support and carried out in cooperation with the Palestine-Turkmen Friendship Association, the project established five agricultural production greenhouses to strengthen solidarity among Palestinian Turkmen and sustain their livelihoods. The initiative aims to create employment opportunities for Turkmen families in the region while also increasing the association’s income sources.
Association President, Muhammad Turkmen, highlighted the importance of this support from the people of Türkiye during the worsening socio-economic conditions in Palestine, expressing his gratitude to the Republic of Türkiye and TİKA.
Under the coordination of Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA), the Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency of Türkiye (AFAD) and Georgia’s Ministry of Internal Affairs organized an “Advanced Search and Rescue in Nature Training Program” in cooperation with the Emergency Situations Administration.
The program was held in Tbilisi with the participation of 22 personnel from the Emergency Situations Administration.
The training, delivered by AFAD, combined both theoretical and practical sessions. Participants received instruction on advanced search and rescue techniques in nature, disaster-time field coordination, mountaineering skills, equipment use, and scenario-based exercises.
At the end of the program, the technical equipment used during the training was handed over to the Georgian search and rescue teams.
The Emergency Situations Administration of Georgia expressed gratitude to TİKA and AFAD, noting that the program made a significant contribution to strengthening their institutional capacity.
Through this initiative, the operational capacity of Georgia’s search and rescue teams was enhanced, while technical cooperation between Türkiye and Georgia in the field of disaster management was further reinforced.
The Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) has completed the installation of two cold storage units and the renovation of an existing seed storage facility at the Rice and Crop Research Center under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment of Laos, aiming to support sustainable agriculture and food security in Southeast Asia.
This project addresses the need to store climate-resilient rice seeds under safe conditions, one of the most critical challenges facing Laotian agriculture due to climate change-induced disasters. Thanks to the new facilities, 300 tons of registered (R2) rice seeds can now be preserved in ideal conditions at temperatures between 5-10°C, ensuring rapid access for farmers during emergencies.
The project not only supports Laos’ goal of producing 3.5 million tons of rice by 2025 but also contributes to mitigating climate risks in the country’s rice-growing areas, 88% of which rely on rainfall and are vulnerable to disasters.
In addition to this project, TİKA also provided rice sorting machinery and 30 tons of rice seeds to farmers affected by floods in the provinces of Bolikhamsai, Khammouan, and Savannakhet in 2023. Developed in cooperation with the National Agriculture and Forestry Research Institute (NAFRI), these seeds are distinguished by their resistance to floods, droughts, and diseases.
Speaking at the handover ceremony in Vientiane, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Chanthanet Boualapha, stated that the rice sorting machine donated by TİKA helped classify over 450 tons of rice seeds at the Rice and Crop Research Center, reducing the rate of empty seeds distributed to farmers from 15% to 8%. He also noted that, thanks to the cold storage units established by TİKA, the annual loss of 15 tons of rice seeds with germination rates below 80% was reduced to 8 tons by 2025.
At the same ceremony, Turkish Ambassador to Vientiane, Oya Yazar, emphasized that the cold storage units established by TİKA represent a significant step in addressing the global climate crisis and food security challenges. She highlighted that TİKA’s projects in Laos — previously focused on healthcare, vocational training, and production — now also make an important contribution in the field of agriculture.
Dursun Ali Yaşacan, Head of TİKA’s Department of East and South Asia, Pacific, and Latin America, stated during the ceremony:
“In the face of an ongoing global food crisis, it is clearer than ever that international cooperation in agriculture is not a luxury – it is a necessity. Especially in Southeast Asia, where millions depend on rice farming, sharing knowledge, technology, and innovation is essential for regional food security and economic stability. This project is not just a technological investment; it is a strategic cooperation that enhances Laos’s agricultural resilience and supports our shared food security goals.”
In today’s world, where global climate change threatens food systems, this project directly aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Goals of Zero Hunger and Resilient and Sustainable Food Production Systems.
As TİKA continues to support the establishment of climate-friendly agricultural systems in least developed and developing countries, the newly established cold storage units in Laos stand as a significant symbol of the growing development cooperation between the two nations.
The Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA), in collaboration with the Thailand International Cooperation Agency (TICA), has completed a significant technical equipment support project for the Asia-Pacific Development Center on Disability (APCD).
As part of the project, coffee-making equipment and digital office equipment—such as computers and video conferencing systems—were delivered to improve the vocational skills of individuals with disabilities, support their participation in socioeconomic life through barista training, and ensure the effective operation of the APCD headquarters, which develops projects to provide vocational training for people with disabilities in Thailand and the wider region.
Thanks to TİKA’s support, individuals with disabilities working at the ’60+ Plus Bakery & Café’—a café and restaurant chains in Bangkok operated under APCD—will have the opportunity to further their vocational training and engage more actively in the workforce.
APCD, a regional center operating under the patronage of the Thai Royal Family and recognized by the United Nations ESCAP, plays a leading role in empowering persons with disabilities and promoting inclusive development in collaboration with more than 30 countries.
The handover ceremony was attended by Turkish Ambassador to Bangkok Julide Kayıhan; TİKA’s Head of the East and South Asia, Pacific, and Latin America Department (DOGAL), Dursun Ali Yaşacan; APCD Executive Director Piroon Laismit; Deputy Director-General of TICA Arunee Hiam; and individuals with disabilities who are undergoing training and working at APCD centers.
This support from TİKA will help APCD strengthen its collaboration with regional networks, encourage the active economic participation of persons with disabilities, and contribute to achieving inclusive development goals.
In August 2025, severe floods struck Pakistan’s northern regions, including Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJK). In response, the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) launched a project in Muzaffarabad to enhance the capacity of Emergency Service Rescue 1122 under the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA).
As part of the initiative, a three-day training program was conducted, equipping Rescue 1122 personnel and volunteers with essential skills such as Basic Life Support, CPR, flood rescue operations, high-angle rescue techniques, and rope systems. Alongside the training, TİKA provided SDMA with 3 motorbike ambulances, 2 rescue motorbikes, 1 inflatable rescue boat, a drone, water rescue kits, and a wide range of first aid and emergency response equipment.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, SDMA AJK Director General Sardar Waheed Khan stated: “The friendship and brotherhood between the people of Türkiye and Kashmir have been proven time and again. This project, which enhances the response capacity of AJK 1122, is yet another renewal of these strong bonds.”
On behalf of TİKA, the Country Coordinator Saliha Tuna emphasized both solidarity with flood-affected families and the long-term impact of the project: “Through this project, we aim not only to strengthen emergency response capacity, but also to support SDMA in training hundreds of volunteers in the coming years, thereby enhancing community resilience. Türkiye will always stand with Pakistan and AJK in times of need.”
The Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) has launched a relief initiative to support families affected by the devastating floods in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the hardest-hit province of Pakistan. As part of the program, TİKA will distribute 15,000 hot meals to flood-affected communities.
Today, 2,000 hot meals were delivered — 1,000 in Buner and 1,000 in Swat. This hot meal support will continue for one week, providing vital assistance to affected families.
Through this initiative, TİKA once again demonstrates Türkiye’s solidarity with the brotherly people of Pakistan.
Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) has contributed to scientific progress in animal husbandry by providing laboratory equipment to the Novi Sad Veterinary Scientific Institute, one of Serbia’s leading research institutions.
Established in 1950, the institute is renowned for its scientific and applied research in animal health with a focus on critical areas such as infectious diseases, reproductive health, and the hygiene and quality of animal products.
As part of the TİKA-supported project, a multifunctional measurement device was supplied to analyze the results of immunoenzymatic ELISA tests used in laboratory research.
The initiative aims to improve the quality of scientific studies in Serbia’s livestock sector, one of the country’s key economic drivers, and to develop effective solutions to the challenges the industry faces.
Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) has provided technical equipment to the National Ndossi and Akomgha Center in Libreville, the capital of Gabon, which serves children with special needs.
The handover ceremony, organized by TİKA at the center, was attended by Türkiye’s Ambassador to Libreville, Can İncesu; TİKA’s Coordinator in Yaoundé, Melih Çağatay Artunay; Director of the Ndossi and Akomgha Center, Marielle Nzong; and numerous other guests.
The equipment supplied by TİKA includes specialized educational materials, cognitive development kits, tools to support communication skills, and psychosocial therapy equipment.
This support aims to significantly enhance the center’s capacity for both education and rehabilitation services.
Coordinated by Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA), the Fire Department of the Konya Metropolitan Municipality organized a “Basic Search and Rescue Training in Nature” program from August 4 to 8, 2025, at the Gombori Education Center for Youth and Veterans for National Defense and Security in Georgia’s Kakheti region.
The training, conducted under the Emergency and Disaster Response Training Program (ADAMEP), brought together 30 volunteers and instructors. The opening ceremony was attended by Major General Koba Kobaladze, President of the Georgian Veterans’ Union, along with the TİKA Tbilisi Coordination Office team.
Participants gained essential knowledge and skills for search and rescue operations through a combination of theoretical and practical sessions. The program covered topics such as map, compass, and GPS use, search methods, an introduction to search and rescue equipment, first aid applications (supported by virtual reality technology), stretcher binding and evacuation techniques, rope systems, knot tying, and tripod and pulley setup. Scenario-based field exercises in natural environments reinforced the theoretical lessons.
At the conclusion of the program, certificates were presented to all participants.
The young volunteers described the training as highly valuable, noting that the realistic, scenario-based exercises enhanced their confidence and preparedness for potential disaster situations. They expressed appreciation for the expertise shared by the trainers from Türkiye with many stating their interest in further developing their skills and mentoring future participants.
Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) has established 30 educational greenhouses in the Bombogor district of Mongolia.
Implemented in collaboration with the Bayankhongor Rural Affairs Directorate, the project set up 30 summer educational greenhouses in the Bombogor district of Mongolia’s Bayankhongor province.
Home to a population of 3,300 and reliant on external sources for 90% of its vegetable supply, the district will now benefit from training in agricultural production and greenhouse farming for low-income residents, creating new employment opportunities. In the Agro Park area established within the district, agricultural production training will be provided to 30 families each year, with the first round of courses already underway.
The project aims to improve the local community’s knowledge and skills in vegetable and seedling cultivation, strengthen family farming, and promote greenhouse-based agriculture. In doing so, it seeks to meet the district’s demand for fresh vegetables while supporting local livelihoods.
