An international scientific symposium titled "From the 3rd Common Turkic Past to the Common Turkic Future: Common Alphabet Issues from the Turkological Congress to the Present at Its 100th Anniversary" was held on March 2–3, 2026, at Khazar University, dedicated to the 100th anniversary of Turkological Congress. The event was jointly organized by Institute of Cultural Anthropology and Folklore (ICAF), Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TCCA), and New Türkiye Strategic Research Center (NTSRC).

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Assoc. Prof. Aynur Gazanfargizi, coordinator of Khazar ICAF, stated that the main objective of the event was to bring the idea of a common alphabet back onto the agenda and to create a scientific discussion platform in the context of contemporary challenges. She emphasized that the resolutions of the Turkological Congress remain relevant even a hundred years later.

Prof., Acad. Hamlet Isakhanli, Founder and Chairman of the Board of Directors and Trustees of Khazar University, highlighted the vital role of a unified alphabet and linguistic unity in transmitting the common scientific and cultural heritage of the Turkic world to future generations. Prof. Şükrü Haluk Akalın, representative of the Turkish Language Association, stated that a common alphabet would serve as the most powerful spiritual bridge ensuring that Turkic peoples understand one another without translation. Assoc. Prof. Telman Nusratolu, Head of the Department of History and Archaeology at Khazar University, noted that keeping the ideas of the Turkological Congress alive is a historical duty. Prof. Bilgehan Atsız Gökdağ, representative of the New Türkiye Strategic Research Center, substantiated the inevitability of forming a strategic language policy among Turkic states. Nigora Halbekova, representative of the Academy of Sciences of Uzbekistan, drew attention to linguistic unity as the foundation of national identity and the significance of a common alphabet for future generations. Assoc. Prof. Yermukhamet Maralbek, representative of the Ahmet Baytursunuly Institute of Linguistics of Kazakhstan, provided an extensive analysis of the impact of graphic integration of Turkic languages on global competitiveness in the modern era. Additionally, Prof. Ali Yakıcı, representative of Khazar ICAF, shared significant scientific reflections on the subject.

During the cultural segment of the event, a performance by ashug Ramin Garayev once again reminded participants of the rich folkloric heritage of the Turkic world.

The two-day symposium concluded with section sessions, panel discussions, and open debates. The final declaration adopted at the close identified the strengthening of scientific and organizational cooperation in the field of a common alphabet, the development of joint research projects, and the enhancement of coordination among higher education institutions of Turkic states as key priorities.

It was noted that this symposium, held on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Turkological Congress, constitutes a significant contribution to placing the idea of linguistic unity in the Turkic world back on the strategic agenda and to the formation of a sustainable scientific platform for future generations.

On the sidelines of the symposium, a section session was held on March 3 at the building of the Presidium of the ANAS. The session was moderated by ANAS President Acad. Isa Habibbayli.

The session opened with introductory remarks by Isa Habibbayli, who noted that the scientific legacy of the Turkological Congress has defined important directions for contemporary Turkological research.

Scholars from various countries delivered presentations at the session. Şükrü Haluk Akalın spoke on the topic "From the First Turkological Congress to the Birth of Modern Turkish Lexicography," addressing the Congress's influence on the development of Turkic lexicography. Assoc. Prof. Zulfiya Valiyeva Önlen, representative of the ANAS Institute of Oriental Studies named after Acad. Z.M. Bunyadov, delivered a paper titled "Problems of the New Generation on the Centenary of the Transition to the Latin Script." Tashkent-based scholar Assoc. Prof. Jura Khudoyberdiyev presented on "Discussion of Synharmonism in Turkic Languages at the First Turkological Congress," highlighting the significance of the Congress materials. Prof. Bijomart Kapalbekov, representative of the Institute for the Development of the State Language of Kazakhstan, addressed "From Eurocentrism to an Independent International Approach in Turkology" in his presentation, underscoring the role of national scientific methodology in Turkological research.

The section session came to an end after discussions on the subjects covered in the presentations.

Aydan Aliyeva

Khazar University, 2nd-year student, Philology (Azerbaijani Language and Literature)

Nigar Alesgarli

Khazar University, 2nd-year student, Azerbaijani Language and Literature Teaching