27th Eurasian Economic Summit

The twenty-seventh Summit of the Eurasian Economic Summits, organized continuously for twenty-seven years by the Marmara Group Foundation, was successfully held on February 21-22, 2024.

Attending the summit were President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Ersin Tatar, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TBMM) Fuat Oktay, Chairman of the Turkish Delegation to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly (PA) and AK Party Member of Parliament for Antalya Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, Governor of Istanbul Davut Gül, Deputy Secretary General and Ambassador of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC) Merve Safa Kavakcı, Secretary General of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (PABSEC) Asaf Hajiyev, former minister Ali Talip Özdemir, and many other domestic and foreign guests.

Speaking at the event, President of the Marmara Group Foundation Dr. Akkan Suver stated that the world is going through global crises, experiencing conflicts and wars.

Suver pointed out climate crisis, water scarcity, and waste management issues, noting the following:

"The diplomatic language and diplomacy aimed at enhancing international cooperation for a more humane world have been lost. We are at the beginning of a new era where relations between states are evolving, characterized by populism and demagoguery, which I find extremely dangerous.

In this new order, which I call "bottom-up," we are forming societies that operate from the grassroots upwards, not top-down.
Despite the fragmented world we face, I believe it is time to create and structure pathways to cooperation. Even as wars persist and crises continue, I believe that tomorrow we will somehow come together. Our coming together is necessary. We must build a sustainable, equitable future where we can live in peace and mutual respect. To achieve this, we must rebuild trust or chart the roadmaps to building trust"

Secretary General of KEİPA  Asaf Hajiyev also emphasized that the Marmara region serves as a bridge between Asia and Eurasia.

Hajiyev highlighted that the region is also a point where major trade routes intersect, stating, "The Marmara region is a crossroads from east to west and from north to south. At the same time, the region is rich in energy resources. Many energy pipelines pass through here to reach European and global markets. However, the region's greatest wealth is not its geographical location or its richness in energy resources. The real wealth of the region lies in its people."

At the Summit Asaf Hajiyev, Secretary General of PABSEC, on behalf of Lindita Nikolla, President of PABSEC, Speaker of the Parliament of the Republic of Albania, awarded Mr. Akkan Suver, President of the Marmara Group Strategic and Social Research Foundation, with the PABSEC Medal of Honour for his contribution to strengthening friendly relations and cooperation among the countries of the Wider Black Sea Region.

Deputy Secretary General of KEİ and Ambassador Merve Safa Kavakcı also stated, "Our aim here is to ensure cooperation and unity among our member states, thereby promoting peace and prosperity in our region."

Kavakcı emphasized that as an intergovernmental organization, they strive to provide solutions in the regional context by adapting to the needs of the region.

The cultural events held at the 27th Eurasian Economic Summit also attracted the attention of the guests.

Especially during the opening of the 27th Eurasian Economic Summit, a groundbreaking event took place where Dr. Akkan Suver attached the membership badge of the Marmara Group Foundation to a robot named Ada, making Ada an Honorary Member of the Marmara Group Foundation. It was a first in the world, where a robot became a member of a Foundation.

The fashion show organized by İHKİB provided an opportunity for the display of beautiful and exceptional works by young Turkish designers.

The fashion show attracted great interest from the guests. Following the fashion show, Dr. Akkan Suver expressed Marmara Group Foundation's gratitude to the designers and İHKİB executives, particularly thanking Mustafa Urfi Akbalık for the great effort of Istanbul Fashion Academy.

 
Again within the 27th Eurasian Economic Summit and its activities, the traditional Eurasian Economic Summits Cup, organized by the Turkey Jockey Club, was also held.

This year, the Eurasian Economic Summits Race was won by the horse owned by Sercan Kavuşan and ridden by jockey Vedat Abiş.

During the race, where the cups were presented by the President of the TRNC, Ersin Tatar, and the former President of Malta, Marie Louise Coleiro Preca, Serdal Adalı, President of the Turkey Jockey Club, along with Gülnur Gülerce and representatives from the Marmara Group Foundation, Canberk Yılmaz, Serhat Tabanca, and Mustafa Ergin, were also present.
 

One of the major cultural events of the 27th Eurasian Economic Summit was the Turkish Classical Music and Western Music concerts organized by the Istanbul City Orchestra.

The outstanding concerts by the Istanbul City Orchestra enchanted the guests.

The surprise concert by the famous Azerbaijani tenor Samir Caferov, who was among the guests, also thrilled the attendees.

On the second day of the 27th Eurasian Economic Summit, religious leaders, statesmen, and academicians expressed their thoughts on both the Belt and Road Initiative and the pathways to peace.

In another important session on the second day, Süleyman Demirel was commemorated.

During the session organized on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the birth of Turkey's 9th President Süleyman Demirel, he was remembered with anecdotes under the title "A Lifetime in Pursuit of Water" by both foreign and domestic acquaintances.

In the final session, moderated by Dr. Akkan Suver, 20 former presidents outlined roadmaps to overcome crises.

With their views, thoughts, and significant assessments, 20 presidents presented visions highlighting the importance of collective wisdom and shared values.

Dr. Akkan Suver was ceremoniously awarded the Peace and Love Medal by President Dr. Hong Tao-Tze on behalf of the United Nations FOWPAL, Federation of World Peace and Love.

During the summit, Dr. Akkan Suver and Mevlut Çavuşoğlu were presented with a traditional robe by the Governor of Mamangan, Uzbekistan.

At the 27th Eurasian Economic Summit, the Medel of Honora was awarded to Marinko Cavara, the Speaker of the National Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and to the former President of Croatia, Stjepan Mesić, both of whom have been attending Eurasian Economic Summits for ten years.

Marinko Cavara received his medal from Governor of Istanbul Davut Gül, while Stjepan Mesić was presented with his medal by Member of Parliament Fuat Oktay.

 Presidents that Honored Us Wih Their Participation in The 27th Eurasian Economic Summit

Speakers that Honored Us Wih Their Participation in The 27th Eurasian Economic Summit

FOWPAL _ 27th Eurasia Economic Summit _ Istanbul