The III Turkic World Summer Forum is being held from July 6 to 15, 2026, organized by the Heydar Aliyev Eurasian Research Centre of Ibn Haldun University in Istanbul, Türkiye. The Forum has been organized in partnership with the Organisation of Turkic States (OTS), the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA), and the Presidency for Turks Abroad and Related Communities (YTB).

Having already established itself as a traditional international academic platform, the Turkic World Summer Forum once again draws attention this year with a participant composition spanning a broad geography. The Forum brings together nearly 150 scholars, researchers, experts, government officials, and policy specialists from 26 countries. The event unites not only representatives of Turkic world countries, but also scholars and experts from the United States, the United Kingdom, Russia, China, and various European countries, serving as an important international platform for the scholarly discussion of political, economic, security, educational, cultural, and regional cooperation issues of the Turkic world.

The opening ceremony of the Forum was attended by the senior leadership of Ibn Haldun University, Prof. Yaşar Sarı, Director of the Heydar Aliyev Eurasian Research Centre; Nuru Guliyev, Deputy Secretary-General of the Organisation of Turkic States; representatives of partner organizations; and scholars and experts from various countries. The opening addresses placed particular emphasis on the importance of strengthening academic cooperation in the Turkic world, promoting joint scientific projects, and integrating young researchers into international scientific networks. Following the official opening ceremony, the Forum continued its work with panel sessions and scholarly discussions.

Assoc. Prof. Orkhan Valiyev, Head of the Department of Political Sciences and Philosophy at Khazar University, is participating in the Forum as a presenter for the third consecutive time, while also serving as a member of the Forum's organizing committee. This is one of the indicators of Khazar University's active participation in the emerging academic cooperation platforms of the Turkic world and the further consolidation of the university's international scholarly standing.

Assoc. Prof. Orkhan Valiyev delivered a paper within the Forum's framework on the topic "Re-evaluating the South Caucasus in the Context of National Integrative Policy: The Case of Azerbaijan." The paper analyzed Azerbaijan's national integrative policy model from both theoretical and practical perspectives, and assessed on a scholarly basis the new geopolitical realities taking shape in the South Caucasus in the post-conflict period, the prospects for regional integration, the opportunities for developing interstate cooperation, and the strategic role played by Azerbaijan in the region. The paper was received with great interest by participants, and following the presentation, an extensive exchange of views was held on the topic, with questions from researchers from various countries being addressed.

Within the framework of the Forum, participants also visited the headquarters of the Organisation of Turkic States in Istanbul. During the visit, meetings were held with Nuru Guliyev, Deputy Secretary-General of the Organisation of Turkic States, and Dr. Zebiniso Kamal, advisor on higher education matters at the Orhun Exchange Program. During the meeting, views were exchanged on cooperation programs implemented by the Organisation of Turkic States in the field of higher education, the expansion of academic mobility, the development of joint projects among universities, and the prospects for scientific cooperation in the Turkic world.

Within the Forum's program, Elchin Ibadov, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of SOCAR Türkiye, also delivered a presentation, informing participants about projects being implemented in the areas of energy cooperation in the Turkic world, economic integration, and the promotion of research activities. It was noted that the Heydar Aliyev Eurasian Research Centre, operating under Ibn Haldun University, was established with the support of SOCAR Türkiye and is currently engaged in significant activities in the areas of conducting scientific research on the Turkic world, developing international academic cooperation, and forming joint scientific platforms.

The III Turkic World Summer Forum is of significant importance in terms of deepening scientific cooperation among Turkic states, expanding joint academic networks, and advancing academic dialogue. Khazar University's active representation at this prestigious international event makes a significant contribution to the university's internationalization strategy and the further expansion of its cooperation with the leading higher education and research institutions of the Turkic world.