A new maternity unit has been established by the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) at Suakin State Hospital in eastern Sudan.
As part of the project, TİKA established a modern and fully functional department within the Suakin State Hospital, complete with an operating room, inpatient section, neonatal care unit, and post-operative treatment facilities, all furnished with state-of-the-art medical equipment.
The opening ceremony was attended by Mustafa Mohamed Nour, Governor of the Red Sea State, Fatih Yıldız, the Turkish Ambassador to Khartoum, TİKA Coordinator Galip Yılmaz, and local officials.
Governor Nour expressed his gratitude during the ceremony, saying, “Every time Ambassador Fatih Yıldız is with us, we receive support and development projects from the Turkish people, whom we deeply admire.”
He recounted a recent visit to the hospital following a handover ceremony at the Suakin Preservation Building, where he and the ambassador, accompanied by the TİKA team, identified several needs at the facility. “Ambassador Yıldız promised to provide the necessary equipment and medical devices—and here we are today, receiving them just three weeks later,” he said.
Nour emphasized Turkey’s special affection for Suakin and noted that this bond continues to drive the country’s support, thanking the Turkish government, the embassy, and TİKA for their contributions.
Ambassador Yıldız, in his remarks, thanked the people of Suakin for their warm reception, saying, “We were here just three weeks ago for the handover of the preservation building. And now, TİKA has successfully completed this maternity clinic in such a short time.”
Referring to recent explosions and fires in Port Sudan, Yıldız added, “While bombs are being dropped on us and destruction continues, we are here today to show once again that the Turkish people stand for good and will continue to do so.”
The Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) has delivered a specially manufactured refrigerated truck to support 11 agricultural cooperatives operating in the Sorsogon province of the Philippines. The vehicle aims to ensure the safe and fresh transportation of agricultural products to markets.
Implemented in partnership with the Philippine Department of Agriculture, the project will allow cooperatives to transport daily-harvested produce, primarily vegetables and tropical fruits directly from farms to markets and distribution centers in a fresh and secure manner.
Speaking at the handover ceremony, Ulysses Lustria, Director of the Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD) Program, stated, “The truck provided by TİKA will significantly enhance the operational efficiency of agricultural cooperatives in Sorsogon. Transportation logistics have long been a major challenge for our farmers. Thanks to this reliable vehicle, they will now be able to transport their products faster and more cost-effectively, access new market opportunities, and improve their livelihoods.”
TİKA’s Manila Coordinator İbrahim Katırcı emphasized that the specially equipped truck with a refrigeration system will strengthen the competitiveness of small-scale producers in Sorsogon and make a significant contribution to the region’s economic development.
Sorsogon province is known for its fertile lands and wide range of agricultural products. However, due to frequent typhoons, farmers face major logistical challenges. In this regard, the refrigerated truck provided by TİKA is expected to minimize post-harvest losses by maintaining optimal temperatures during transportation.
The Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) has established a modern science laboratory at Al-Iman School, located in the Bourj El-Barajneh Palestinian Camp in southern Beirut.
Lebanon’s ongoing economic crisis continues to undermine the educational infrastructure, especially in disadvantaged regions. In response to these challenges, TİKA launched a project aimed at improving educational facilities and provided Al-Iman School with a modern laboratory infrastructure where scientific experiments can be conducted.
The school primarily serves children from Turkish-origin families who migrated from the city of Mardin in the early 20th century, as well as Palestinian refugee children. With the completion of the laboratory, students now have access to an environment where they can perform scientific experiments, enhancing their observation and analytical skills.
The project aims to support children’s competencies in science and technology while offering a learning platform that encourages their active participation in society. School administrators and local residents expressed their appreciation for the project, emphasizing that such support becomes even more meaningful during times of crisis.
The Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) has established a “Turkish Language Classroom” within the Inter-Army Higher Military School “Ecole Militaire Inter-Armees de Yaounde (EMIA)”, located in the capital of Cameroon, Yaoundé.
The classroom was inaugurated with a ceremony held on the EMIA campus and aims to support Cameroonian military high school students who are set to receive education in Türkiye starting from the 2025–2026 academic year.
The ceremony was attended by Cameroon’s Minister of Defence, Joseph Beti Assomo, Türkiye’s Minister of National Defence, Yaşar Güler, who was in Cameroon for the 3rd Türkiye-Cameroon Joint Economic Commission (JEC) Meeting, EMIA Director Colonel Nang Zengue Roger, TİKA Yaoundé Coordinator Melih Çağatay Artunay, Türkiye Maarif Foundation’s Cameroon Representative Emrah Küçük, military officials, and students.
Speaking at the ceremony, Defence Minister Beti Assomo expressed his satisfaction with the growing cooperation between Türkiye and Cameroon, particularly in the field of defence. Following the opening remarks, both ministers toured the newly established Turkish language classroom.
Renovated and equipped by TİKA, the Turkish Language Center consists of a classroom with a capacity of 35 students and a teachers lounge. As part of the project, 35 military students are expected to receive Turkish language training each year.
This initiative aims to further strengthen cultural and military cooperation between Türkiye and Cameroon.
The Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) has inaugurated a newly constructed artificial turf football field at a special boarding school for children with special needs in Lankaran region.
In Azerbaijan’s Lankaran region, TİKA has built a new artificial turf football field at the Special Boarding School for Children with Health challenges, which provides residential education to disadvantaged children, including those with health issues, orphans, and children from low-income families. The new football field was built in the school’s courtyard to promote physical activity and social interaction among students.
The opening ceremony was attended by Türkiye’s Ambassador to Baku, Birol Akgün, Lankaran Governor Taleh Garashov, TİKA Baku Coordinator Hayrettin Özçelik, embassy advisors, local officials, as well as teachers and students of the school.
In his remarks at the ceremony, Ambassador Akgün stated, “Projects implemented by TİKA contribute to strengthening the bond of brotherhood between Türkiye and Azerbaijan, fostering unity and solidarity between our nations.”
Governor Garashov also expressed his gratitude to TİKA and Türkiye, emphasizing that the new field will significantly contribute to the development and well-being of children with health challenges.
TİKA’s Baku Coordinator Özçelik noted that the agency develops nearly a hundred projects each year, with a particular focus on supporting disadvantaged groups. He added that TİKA will continue to prioritize initiatives that promote the healthy development of children and youth.
After the ceremony, Ambassador Akgün played football with the students and watched them compete in a friendly match.
With the support of the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA), the “Bokhtar IT-Forum 2025” was organized in Bokhtar, the capital of Tajikistan’s Khatlon region, with the aim of increasing young people’s knowledge and awareness in the field of information technologies and supporting their career planning in the digital sector.
Throughout the forum, young people, particularly those from the southern regions of the country, were informed about the importance of digital skills, career planning, and job opportunities in the information technology (IT) sector, while also gaining valuable experiences to support their career development by participating in hands-on training sessions and engaging directly with industry professionals.
The event was attended by First Deputy Director of the Innovation and Digital Technologies Agency under the Presidency of the Republic of Tajikistan, Hakim Ismoilzod, President of the Digital Development Association, Mahmud Davlatov, Director of the Innovative Technologies and Communication Center of Khatlon Region, Akmal Nuralizoda, and TİKA Dushanbe Program Coordinator İbrahim Ethem Ünal.
TİKA Dushanbe Program Coordinator Ünal emphasized the importance of supporting the development of young people’s digital competencies, stating, “We continue to invest in the digital future of youth in Tajikistan through our education and technology-oriented projects.”
Through its ongoing projects in Tajikistan, TİKA continues to facilitate access to technology and support digital transformation for various segments of society, especially the youth.
The Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) has supplied musical instruments to the Dashkasan Children’s School of Fine Arts in Azerbaijan.
Located in the mountainous Dashkasan district, 400 kilometers from the capital Baku and known for its mining industry, the school was established in 1961 and currently provides music and fine arts education to 274 students. TİKA’s support has enriched the school’s musical infrastructure by delivering a variety of instruments.
A ceremony was held to mark the handover of the instruments, attended by Dashkasan Governor Orkhan Abbasov, Turkish Consul General in Ganja Recep Öztop, TİKA Baku Coordinator Hayrettin Özçelik, Regional Director of the Azerbaijani Ministry of Culture for Ganja-Dashkasan Nail Mammadov, along with the school’s teachers and students.
Speaking at the event, Governor Abbasov expressed his gratitude to Türkiye and TİKA for supporting the cultural and artistic education of children in the region.
TİKA Baku Coordinator Hayrettin Özçelik stated, “As TİKA, we implement impactful projects across all regions of Azerbaijan. Today, we are delighted to share the joy of these talented children here in Dashkasan, a district bordering Armenia.”
The event concluded with a mini concert performed by students of the Dashkasan Children’s School of Fine Arts using the musical instruments provided by TİKA.
The Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) has enhanced the quality of vocational education at the Culinary Department of the Polytechnic College in Mongolia by providing essential kitchen equipment.
Located in Bulgan Province, the Polytechnic College is offering vocational training to 614 students across 16 different fields during the 2024–2025 academic year. Approximately 55 culinary students, who previously faced challenges in practical training due to outdated kitchen equipment, will now benefit from a more conducive learning environment.
As part of the project, the department received 55 pieces of essential equipment, including a vacuum packaging machine, meat slicer, oven, dishwashing unit, and dough kneading machine. This upgrade aims to improve practical skills, support the development of qualified culinary professionals, and enhance the overall educational infrastructure in Mongolia’s rural regions.
Previously, TİKA had implemented three separate vocational training projects for the culinary departments of Ulaanbaatar Technical and Technology Polytechnic College, Khovd Development Polytechnic College, and the Rehabilitation Training and Production Center under the Mongolian Ministry of Labor and Social Protection.
The Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) has implemented the “Greenhouse and Agricultural Equipment Support Project” to assist farming families in North Macedonia who sustain their livelihoods through agriculture.
As part of the project, greenhouse farming enterprises were established for 140 farming families in North Macedonia, enabling year-round vegetable cultivation regardless of climate conditions. In addition, 50 various greenhouse and agricultural machines were provided to support soil cultivation activities for the shared use of approximately 1,000 families engaged in greenhouse farming and fruit growing.
The delivery ceremony was attended by Turkish Ambassador to Skopje Fatih Ulusoy, TİKA Vice President Dr. Mahmut Çevik, Mayor of Vasilevo Slave Andonov, TİKA Skopje Coordinator F. Şeyma Babayiğit, President of MATÜSİTEB Tahsin Ibrahim, Member of the North Macedonian Parliament Beycan Ilyas, President of the Turkish National Unity Movement Erdoğan Saraç, as well as representatives from public institutions, civil society organizations, and farmers from various regions of North Macedonia.
In his speech at the ceremony, Ambassador Ulusoy said, “We thank TİKA for this project, which will contribute to both family and regional economies. I wish our farmer brothers fruitful harvests.”
TİKA Vice President Dr. Mahmut Çevik stated, “In our agricultural projects, we continue our work by taking into account North Macedonia’s priorities, the expectations of society, and the needs of the people. To date, we have reached approximately 14,000 people through 28 agricultural projects implemented in North Macedonia. We express our gratitude to the North Macedonian government, local authorities, and civil society organizations for their valuable contributions to the realization of these projects.”
The Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA), in collaboration with the Azerbaijani Management Union of Medical Territorial Units (TABIB), organized a “Burn Treatment Training” program in Baku for doctors and healthcare personnel working in burn units.
Held between April 28 and May 2, the training program brought together 40 Azerbaijani doctors and healthcare staff. At the end of the program, participants who successfully completed the training received certificates at a formal ceremony.
The opening ceremony of the training program in Baku was attended by TİKA Baku Program Coordination Office Coordinator Hayrettin Özçelik, Anar Israfilov, Deputy Chairman of TABIB, Hikmet Ibrahimov, Director of the Medical Planning Department of the State Agency for Compulsory Health Insurance of the Republic of Azerbaijan, as well as hospital administrators and doctors.
Speaking at the ceremony, TABIB Deputy Chairman Anar Israfilov emphasized that the two mobile clinics established by TİKA in Aghdam and Zangilan in 2022 played a critical role in providing first aid to those injured on the frontlines during the Second Karabakh War. He thanked TİKA and Türkiye for their support. “These training initiatives will contribute to the development of burn centers in Baku and improve access to higher-quality healthcare services for burn patients,” he said.
Hayrettin Özçelik, Coordinator of TİKA’s Baku Office, stated that 20% of the more than 1,500 projects implemented by TİKA in Azerbaijan since its inception have been in the field of healthcare. “We carry out projects in areas such as knowledge exchange between the two countries, protection of public health, strengthening healthcare infrastructure, increasing human capacity, and ensuring rapid access to quality medical services. One out of every five projects we implement focuses on healthcare,” he noted.
Associate Prof. Dr. Sabri Demir from the Department of Pediatric Surgery at the Faculty of Surgical Medical Sciences, stated: “There are 27 burn centers and 42 burn units in Türkiye. Through these TİKA-organized training programs, we are proud to share Türkiye’s experience with our colleagues in dear Azerbaijan and to engage in mutual knowledge exchange.”
Organized in cooperation with the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA), the Association of Anesthesiology and Reanimation Specialists (ARUD), the Macedonian Society of Anesthesiologists and Intensive Care Medicine (MSA), and the International Balkan University, the 9th Balkan Countries Anesthesia Days were held in the capital Skopje.
The event brought together approximately 190 healthcare professionals from Balkan countries, primarily from Türkiye and North Macedonia, providing significant contributions to scientific and professional interaction through both theoretical and practical training. This year’s main theme was determined as “Preparedness for Disasters in Anesthesia and Intensive Care.”
Focusing on the resilience of healthcare systems in the face of increasing global disasters, pandemics, and humanitarian crises, the program addressed topics such as planning of anesthesia and intensive care services in disaster situations, resource management, rapid response strategies, and international cooperation mechanisms. Additionally, current scientific developments in anesthesiology, intensive care, and reanimation were evaluated with an interdisciplinary approach.
Through panels, conferences, scientific presentations, and clinical training sessions conducted with the contributions of academics and expert physicians, the event aimed to develop common strategies for disaster preparedness on both regional and global scales. The congress not only enhanced professional interaction among countries in the region but also laid a strong foundation for joint health policies and academic cooperation.
In the opening speeches of the congress, the importance of scientific solidarity and coordination of healthcare services during crises was emphasized, the contributions to international scientific cooperation and the strengthening of healthcare systems, particularly in the Balkan region, were highlighted. It was stated that the congress, supported by TİKA, was a significant scientific gathering that strengthened health diplomacy between Türkiye and regional countries and increased disaster preparedness capacity.
The Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) has renewed the kitchen equipment of the Milutin Milankovic High School Dormitory, located in the city center of Belgrade.
The dormitory accommodates approximately 300 students and provides around 1,000 meals daily. As part of the project, outdated kitchen appliances and utensils that had reached the end of their service life were replaced with modern equipment, ensuring a more hygienic, safe, and high-quality food service for the students.
The project aims to enhance the dormitory’s service capacity and to better meet the accommodation and nutrition needs of young people continuing their education under improved conditions.
