With the support of Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA), ASAN Web TV was established within the State Agency for Public Service and Social Innovations (ASAN Service) Under the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan.
Established within the ASAN Media Center to provide a visual dimension and new contents to the broadcasts of ASAN Radio 100 FM, which started broadcasting thanks to the cooperation initiated in the field of media between TİKA and ASAN Service in 2015 and has been the most listened-to radio station in Azerbaijan, ASAN Web TV is set to start broadcasting on YouTube and other social media platforms starting from March.
Public broadcasting is being supported
ASAN Web TV aims to effectively and accurately convey to the citizens the activities of ASAN Service, one of the most successful models in the world for delivering public services in Azerbaijan. Additionally, this platform, which will greatly contribute to public broadcasting in the country, will enable citizens to get informed about the activities of ASAN Service.
All necessary technical equipment for the TV studio, direction, editing-montage, and outdoor shooting is being provided by TİKA. ASAN Web TV is envisaged to start broadcasting initially on the internet, and later evolve into a national TV channel.
Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) provided modern dairy processing equipment and training for Bedouin women residing in rural areas of Palestine.
Bedouin communities living in Palestine have long endured harassment and attacks from illegal settlers.
Especially engaged in sheep and goat breeding, the main source of income of these communities is dairy products obtained from these animals. However, although these products are in demand in cities such as Ramallah and Jerusalem, their production and profitability are limited due to the fact that they face difficulties such as product quality, diversity, shelf life and storage.
Training was provided, a workshop was established
Within the scope of the project carried out in cooperation with the Jahalin Bedouin Women’s Association, TİKA provided training to 150 women from 10 different Bedouin communities on topics including food safety, cheese production, and increasing product diversity and quality. Additionally, a workshop was established within the association and the necessary equipment and materials for dairy processing were provided. Besides, by creating online order and sales channels for the brand registered in the name of the association, the sales of the manufactured products were increased.
During the certificate ceremony held at the Bedouin village in the region of Khan al-Ahmar, the women who attended expressed their gratitude to the Turkish people and the Republic of Türkiye for their support.
Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA), within the context of the “Development of Sustainable Beekeeping Program”, is sharing Türkiye’s experience in beekeeping with Kosovo.
Within the context of the “Development of Sustainable Beekeeping Program,” the training sessions on “Methods for Diagnosing Bacterial, Viral and Parasitic Disease Agents in Bees” and “Pollen Analysis in Honey,” intended for the employees of the Food and Veterinary Agency affiliated with the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Development of Kosovo, have been completed.
The trainings, carried out in cooperation between TİKA and the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of the Republic of Türkiye, were held in Kosovo at the request of the Food and Veterinary Agency, which is the one and only public institution in the fields of animal health, plant health and food safety.
As part of the project, advanced methods used in diagnosing pesticide residues in honey and virus diseases were explained to the staff of the Food and Veterinary Agency by experts from the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of the Republic of Türkiye.
Given that the climate conditions and flora of Kosovo hold significant potential in the field of beekeeping, these trainings aim to develop the sector through projects which are arranged for staff from public institutions and organizations operating within the sector.
With the support of Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA), a panoramic X-ray device was provided to the “Dr. Romics László Hospital” located in the city of Érd, Hungary.
The hospital, which offers dental and oral health services to Érd and the surrounding settlements, provides healthcare services to an average of 8,000 patients a year.
Playing a crucial role in every dental exam and treatment planning, the panoramic X-ray imaging was not working effectively due to the heavy demand. Thanks to the cooperation between the management of Dr. Romics László Hospital and TİKA, a brand-new panoramic X-ray device was provided to the hospital.
With the utilization of the new device, it is expected that patients will receive faster and more effective service in dental and oral health treatments.
Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) and Albayrak Group held a calligraphy exhibition in Tunisia.
Türkiye’s Ambassador to Tunisia, Çağlar Fahri Çakıralp; TİKA’s Coordinator in Tunisia, Ali Fuat Cebeci; Albayrak Media Sales and Marketing General Manager, Abdullah Hanönü; Albayrak Group Corporate Communications Coordinator, Esad Sivri; TVNET Deputy General Director, Serhat İbrahimoğlu, Tunisian officials, Tunisian Arabic Calligraphy Center students and representatives of Turkish institutions working in Tunisia attended the opening of the exhibition organized at the Tunisian Culture Palace National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Arts with contributions of TİKA.
Providing information about the exhibition, Hanönü stated, “We are here in Tunisia this year as Albayrak Group within the scope of the calligraphy exhibitions we have been organizing for 10 years. We are exhibiting 25 works in our exhibition, which has attracted great interest. We are really pleased to organize our exhibition, to which calligraphers from Türkiye and many other parts of the world contributed, in Tunisia, a sister country with which we have longstanding relations. Tunisia is one of the most precious countries for us, there are talented calligraphers and a great interest in calligraphy here.”
“The exhibition includes paintings containing prayer and salutation verses from the Holy Qur’an.”
Expressing his satisfaction with the exhibition featuring the works of Turkish calligraphers being held in Tunisia, Çakıralp, Türkiye’s Ambassador to Tunisia, stated, “25 paintings of Turkish calligraphers are exhibited as important calligraphic works of art. Calligraphy, which is one of the important branches of art in Türkiye and Tunisia, is a part of our ancient culture and civilization. We hope that mutual relations between the calligraphy centers in Tunisia and Türkiye will continue.”
Turkish calligrapher İbrahim Şengül, who taught Tunisian calligraphy students within the scope of the exhibition, made the following statements about the exhibition:
“We brought our works of art including prayer and salutation verses from the Holy Qur’an for this exhibition. We were welcomed with great enthusiasm, and we are very pleased. I hope we will have the opportunity to hold similar exhibitions in the coming years. The works we exhibit here include examples from both the art of illumination and different types of calligraphic script styles.”
“The works of Turkish calligraphers are impressive”
Stating that he was very impressed by the “elegant paintings” of Turkish calligraphers, Tunisian calligrapher and photographer Omar Ben Mabrouk said, “I think everyone agrees that Türkiye and Tunisia share a common history and heritage. Tunisia was inspired by the unique style and school created by Turkish artists in the art of calligraphy. The expertise of Turkish calligraphers in reqa, diwani and thuluth calligraphic scripts is also reflected in the paintings we see in the exhibition.”
The TV studio, which was established by Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) at the Journalism and Mass Communications University of Uzbekistan, has been inaugurated.
TİKA’s President, Serkan Kayalar, paying a formal visit to Uzbekistan; Türkiye’s Ambassador to Tashkent, Olgan Bekar; TİKA’s Coordinator in Tashkent, Ali Rıza Tezcan; the rector of the university, Sherzodkhon Kudratkhuja and many other guests attended the opening ceremony.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, which was also attended by students and faculty members, Kayalar expressed his gratitude for attending the inauguration of the TV studio established by TİKA at the Journalism and Mass Communications University of Uzbekistan, one of the most important education institutions in the region in the field of media communication.
Kayalar stated that the university is an exemplary institution founded to train a qualified workforce capable of effectively utilizing mass media in Uzbekistan and improving the media education system. He also expressed that it is a great success that the university, founded in 2018 and providing education for approximately three thousand students, has become one of the leading media education institutions in Central Asia in a short span of time.
Kayalar underlined that, as TİKA, they are aware of the value of experts to be trained in media communication and emphasize the importance of developing collaborations with the university. He also stated, “The TV studio we established at the Journalism and Mass Communications University of Uzbekistan is an excellent reflection of our concrete collaboration. Equipped with modern devices, the studio will serve as a training area, providing opportunities for live broadcasting on both TV and the internet.”
Stating that this project will contribute to the professional development of human resources in the field of media and communication to international standards, Kayalar expressed his hope that the TV studio would benefit both the university and the students.
Following the speech, Kayalar, Bekar and Kudratkhuja celebrated the opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and later visited and inspected the university.
A promotional ceremony was held in Uzbekistan to mark the translation of the work titled “Safahat” by Mehmet Akif Ersoy, the master poet and author of the Turkish National Anthem, into Uzbek. The translation project was supported by Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA).
TİKA’s President, Serkan Kayalar; Türkiye’s Ambassador to Tashkent, Olgan Bekar; TİKA’s Coordinator in Tashkent, Ali Rıza Tezcan; the President of the Uzbekistan Writers Union, Sirojiddin Sayyid and many other guests attended the program held at the Uzbekistan Writers Union in the capital, Tashkent.
Kayalar expressed their excitement and joy at attending the promotion of Mehmet Akif Ersoy’s book “Safahat,” known as the poet of Independence, which was translated into Uzbek with TİKA’s support.
Kayalar emphasized that “Safahat,” written by the master poet and intellectual Ersoy, is one of the greatest works of Turkish literature, offering an opportunity to delve into the Turkish nation’s spiritual world. He added that “Safahat” carries profound meaning although it was written in plain language.
Kayalar stated that Miraziz A’zam, an Uzbek poet, writer and translator who translated the book into Uzbek, succeeded in conserving the book’s deep meaning.
Kayalar underlined that the values and conciousness emphasized by Mehmet Akif Ersoy in all his works, especially in “Safahat,” are also present in the history and culture of Uzbekistan. He expressed that “Safahat” will be appreciated by a wider audience in Uzbekistan in this respect and will contribute to intensifying the affection between the two sister nations. He added that Uzbek readers will benefit from this book, which has been provided to many universities and educational institutions, especially to the National Library of Uzbekistan.
Kayalar noted that “Safahat” was translated into Uzbek for the first time among Turkic languages.
“We aimed to further increase the number of projects in the country”
Kayalar spoke about his visit to the Turkish press residing in the country.
Expressing that, as TİKA, they have been implementing precious projects and activities for the Uzbek people since 1994, Kayalar stated that they have finalized approximately 1000 projects and activities in the country.
Kayalar referred to TİKA’s renovation and equipment work at the Faculty of Turkic Studies of Tashkent State University of Oriental Studies, one of the country’s most deep-rooted educational institutions, and he added that they attach great importance to the projects in the field of Turkic studies.
Stating that one of TİKA’s first offices in the Turkic world is in Uzbekistan and that this land is both special and significant to them, Kayalar noted that they plan to further increase the number of projects in the country this year.
The building of the Faculty of Turkic Studies at Tashkent State University of Oriental Studies, which was renovated and equipped by Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA), has been inaugurated in Uzbekistan.
During his official visits in Uzbekistan, TİKA’s President, Serkan Kayalar, along with Türkiye’s Ambassador to Tashkent, Olgan Bekar; TİKA’s Coordinator in Tashkent, Ali Rıza Tezcan; the Rector of Tashkent State University of Oriental Studies, Prof. Dr. Rikhsieva Gulchehra Shavkatovna and many other guests attended the opening ceremony.
During his speech, Kayalar expressed his joy at being in the sister country of Uzbekistan and attending the opening program.
Kayalar noted that since its establishment in 1918 the university has fostered numerous scientists and conducted extensive research in fields essential to Uzbekistan and the region. He added that the university will continue to nurture intellectuals who will guide Uzbekistan’s development goals through their studies.
Kayalar emphasized that the Faculty of Turkic Studies, founded within the university in 1991, is a pioneering institution in the field of Turkish language teaching, not only in Uzbekistan but also in Central Asia, leading the increase in studies conducted in this field. He added that studies on Turkish culture and language will increase, thanks to the Faculty of Turkic Studies, which was renovated by TİKA.
Kayalar met with the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan, Madrahimov
As part of his visits in the country, Kayalar also met with the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan, Muzaffar Madrahimov.
During the meeting, Madrahimov noted their productive cooperation with TİKA and stated their intention to implement projects in the fields of health, restoration of cultural heritage, agriculture, industry and support for small and medium-scale entrepreneurship, also in 2024.
Expressing that the restoration works of Bolo Hauz Mosque in Bukhara continue under the guidance of TİKA, Madrahimov underlined that they are glad to cooperate with TİKA on the restoration of other historical buildings in Uzbekistan.
TİKA’s President Kayalar stated that the relations between the countries have been developing based on the sincere friendship of the two countries’ presidents.
Kayalar emphasized that TİKA has taken various responsibilities to strengthen the strong relations between Uzbekistan and Türkiye.
Remarking the development of relations between the two countries, Kayalar stated that TİKA wishes to carry out its activities in accordance with the strategy of reform and development initiated under the leadership of Uzbekistan’s President, Shavkat Mirziyoyev.
In collaboration with the Lao Women’s Union, Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) organized a vocational training program in the fields of tailoring, computer and general skills.
The vocational training program for women residing in rural areas, which aims to implement the “National Women Development (2021-2025)” action plan of the Lao Women’s Union, to support employment generation as part of the Laos National Development Plan, and also to provide women and families with access to financial resources, has been completed.
During the training sessions held at the Vientiane Training Center for Women, in addition to the sewing course, cloth bag sewing, basic computer skills and food production courses were given to a total of 20 trainee women from 18 different cities, aiming to help them develop their careers.
At the end of the training program, the trainees produced 145 shirts, 100 traditional Lao long skirts (sinh), 90 cloth bags, and 21 bath mats.
Speaking during the certificate ceremony held at the end of the program, the Vice President of the Training Center for Women, Chanhsamone Senghalath, expressed her gratitude and respect to TİKA for their support of the training and its successful completion.
The Vice President of the Lao Women’s Union, Lavan Southisan, said,
“I assume that this training will yield fruitful results for the trainees enabling them to further advance their careers. At the end of the training supported by TİKA, starter kits were provided to the trainees, who attended for the first time, to set up their own businesses. In this way, the trainees had the opportunity to apply the knowledge they obtained in order to become professional tailors. TİKA’s support aligns perfectly with the goals of the Lao Women’s Union. The training program not only helps build capacity but also helps prevent other social issues, such as decreasing labor migration.”
The memorandum of understanding, which covers cooperation in various fields between Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) and the United Kingdom Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), was signed during a ceremony held in Ankara.
The memorandum of understanding signed by TİKA’s President Serkan Kayalar and the British Ambassador to Türkiye Jill Morris at the ceremony held at TİKA’s service building in Ankara, aims to merge the knowledge, expertise and communication networks of the instiutions in their relevant fields of activity.
The memorandum, which plans to ensure cooperation in line with common goals in the efforts for international development, also covers the implementation of projects aimed at achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, reducing global poverty, ensuring education of girls, enhancing agriculture and food security, ensuring women’s rights, advancing rural development and fighting against climate change.
In his speech at the signing ceremony, TİKA’s President Serkan Kayalar said, “We attach importance to strengthening the relations between the two countries, which are progressing at a strategic level, also in the field of development cooperation. Within the scope of the memorandum, we will focus on concrete production and income-generating projects for third countries in cooperation with FCDO, in accordance with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.”
Ambassador Morris said, “We are excited to work on concrete projects in line with this memorandum we signed for strong cooperation with Türkiye, which we consider an important actor in the field of development for the United Kingdom.”
The signed memorandum of understanding is considered an important step towards strengthening bilateral relations between the parties and cooperating in joint development projects.
As the ministry responsible for regulating the United Kingdom’s relations and foreign policy with the Commonwealth countries and other countries, FCDO also executes programs to support sustainable development in low- and middle-income countries.
The “Medal of TÜRKSOY” was awarded to TİKA’s President, Serkan Kayalar by TÜRKSOY Secretary General, Sultan Raev. This medal has been given as a token of gratitude to individuals and institutions that provide outstanding service to the Turkic world in the fields of science, education, culture and art, by the International Organization of Turkic Culture (TÜRKSOY) since 2013.
The “Medal of TÜRKSOY” was awarded to TİKA’s President, Serkan Kayalar, by TÜRKSOY Secretary General Sultan Raev at the ceremony held at TÜRKSOY headquarters in Ankara. This medal has been given as a token of gratitude to individuals and institutions that provide outstanding service to the Turkic world in the fields of culture, art and science since 2013 by TÜRKSOY, which has been working to strengthen sincere unity and brotherhood among the Turkic people, transfer the common Turkic culture to future generations and introduce it to the world since its establishment.
During his speech at the ceremony, Secretary General Sultan Raev said, “Last year, we celebrated the 30th anniversary of TÜRKSOY, which was established in 1993 to develop the spirit of unity among the Turkic people. Over the past 30 years, we have implemented various successful projects with the aim of reinforcing the unity among the Turkic people and introducing the Turkic culture to the world together with TİKA, the distinguished institution of Türkiye, our founding member. We have attached great importance to collaborating and carrying out joint projects in the countries and regions where the Turkic people reside, especially in our member countries. We are proud to introduce the culture and art of the Turkic World to a wider area, from the Altai Mountains to the Balkans, together with TİKA.”
“We are proud of our brotherhood, our rich civilization, our achievements, and we invite every person to share this gladness with us.”
Raev also said, “The seed planted 30 years ago has grown, flourished and developed. TÜRKSOY and TİKA, which are almost of the same age, are now among the well-known institutions around the world. TİKA is one of the first organizations which come to mind when Türkiye’s geography of heart and the needy regions are mentioned. TİKA is also the seeing eye, helping hand, and compassionate heart of the Turkish people abroad!”
During his speech, TİKA’s President Serkan Kayalar said, “The journey of our TİKA is very similar to TÜRKSOY. Established in 1992, our Agency has been sharing our country’s experience and knowledge in the field of development cooperation with nearly 150 friendly countries, starting from Central Asia. As one of the first cooperation organizations of the Turkic World, TÜRKSOY has been carrying out very valuable activities to transfer Turkish culture to the next generations and introduce it to the world since its establishment. It has been strengthening the bonds and the brotherhood between the Turkic people.”
“TİKA has carried out more than 4 thousand projects and activities in the member and observer countries of the Organization of Turkic States, and has implemented almost 6 thousand projects and activities directed towards the Turkic World.”
TİKA’s President Kayalar said, “The Central Asian Turkic Republics and the wider Turkic World have always been central to our activities. We established our first offices in the Turkic World. We have been carrying out joint projects with the Organization of Turkic States, the Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation, the Turkic Academy, and the Parliamentary Assembly of Turkic States in order to transform the bonds of brotherhood of the Turkic World into a strong cooperation. We have fostered a more productive cooperation with TÜRKSOY in recent years, aimed at preserving both tangible and intangible Turkish Cultural Heritage.”
Following the speeches, the “Medal of TÜRKSOY” was awarded by TÜRKSOY Secretary Genereal Sultan Raev to TİKA’s President Serkan Kayalar as a sign of his contributions to the Turkic World in the fields of science, education, culture and art.
The ceremony concluded with the presentation of gifts and a photograph taken as a remembrance of the day.
Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) continues to open Turkish Language Classes at universities in Kazakhstan.
TİKA opened a Turkish language class at Sh. Yessenov Caspian State University of Technologies and Engineering, located in the city of Aktau in the western region of Kazakhstan.
TİKA’s Head of the Department for Central Asia and Caucasus, Dr. Ali Özgün Öztürk; the Republic of Türkiye’s Consul General to Aktau, Sabri Alptekin; Kazakhstan Country Desk Expert, Ali Muslu; TİKA’s Program Coordinator in Astana, Hüseyin Hikmet Özdenoğlu; Mayor of Aktau City, Tnaliev Ulugbek Serikovich; Yessenov University’s Rector, Akhmetov Berik Bakytzhanovich as well as faculty members and students attended the opening ceremony of the class.
The Rector, Akhmetov, stated that it is their duty to develop and improve Aktau, a city in western Kazakhstan, and they are carrying out projects accordingly. He also added that the Turkish language class has a special meaning for them. Noting that the students’ interest in learning the Turkish language has increased considerably thanks to the modern classroom built by TİKA, Akhmetov expressed that this project is the first sign of further cooperation with TİKA.
Dr. Ali Özgün Öztürk stated that they regard the Turkish language classroom, which is built by TİKA at Yessenov University, as a point of departure for future projects they will implement. Underlining his belief that the present friendship and brotherhood relations between the two countries will strengthen in the future, Öztürk emphasized the importance of education and added that a strong Kazakhstan will be taken much further by well-educated Kazakh students. Öztürk also stated that TİKA’s support to the university will enhance.
