International aid groups and think tanks have gathered from 22-26 September in Nanjing for the third Global Foundation Leaders Forum. The forum aims is to provide a platform for foundations worldwide to discuss interaction and cooperation. More than 50 delegations from 25 countries came to the third global foundation leaders forum, exchanging ideas in forming and running foundations. On behalf of Marmara Group Foundation, Dr Akkan Suver participated this forum which focused on functions in disasters, the belt and road initiative, promotion of human rights and international cooperation in the Internet era. 

The President of Marmara Group Foundation Dr. Akkan Suver in the interview for China Central Television (CCTV News) had mentioned that:

"With this meeting we have the chance to inform the world what is the silk road economic belt. For us, it's the philosophy of the century."

Although, the President Dr. Akkan Suver during the third Global Foundation Leaders Forum had made the opening and panel discussion speeches.

Speaking at the opening of the Third Global Foundation (Nanjing) Leaders Forum, Dr Akkan Suver highlighted the importance of the initiative.

Nanjing opening speech of Dr. Akkan Suver:

Today, we have come together here to evaluate an open philosophy, which has no certainly defined borders, but is aimed at holding politics, economy and cultures together. I would like to start my speech, thanking most sincerely to the authorities of China Foundation for Human Rights Development, who invited us to China, for their warm hospitality.

Ladies and gentlemen,

We are all aware of the fact that complex and profound changes are taking place in the world. The underlying impact of the international financial crisis keeps emerging; the world economy is recovering slowly, and global development is uneven; the international trade and investment landscape and rules for multilateral trade and investment are undergoing major adjustments; and countries still face big challenges to their development.

The Land and Maritime Silk Road Economic Initiative aims to promote the connectivity of Asian, European and African continents and their adjacent seas, establish and strengthen partnerships among the countries along the Land and Maritime Silk Road Economic Initiative, set up all-dimensional, multi-tiered and composite connectivity networks, and realize diversified, independent, balanced and sustainable development in these countries.

We know very well that the Land and Maritime Silk Road Economic Initiative is in line with the purposes and principles of the UN Charter.

It upholds the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence.

So, what are these 5 principles? They are: Mutual respect for each other's sovereignty and territorial integrity, mutual non-aggression, mutual non-interference in each other's internal affairs, equality and mutual benefit, and peaceful coexistence.

The Land and Maritime Silk Road Economic Initiative is open for cooperation. It covers, but is not limited to, the area of the ancient Silk Road. It is open to all countries, and international and regional organizations for engagement, so that the results of the concerted efforts will benefit wider areas.

The Initiative runs through the continents of Asia, Europe and Africa, connecting the vibrant East Asia economic circle at one end and developed European economic circle at the other, and encompassing countries with huge potential for economic development. It focuses on linking China with Central Asia and with the Mediterranean Sea through the New Suez Canal, Russia with Europe; and connecting China with Southeast Asia, South Asia and the Indian Ocean.

The Initiative will be the pioneer of cooperation concerning investment and trade.

People-to-people bond provides the public support for implementing the Initiative.

As I conclude my speech; I would like to emphasize that the Land and Maritime Silk Road Economic Initiative is an initiative to embrace a brighter future for all of us.  It is not only a prosperity initiative, but also, a security initiative.

I would like to express to thanks once again to the authorities of China Foundation for Human Rights Development for hosting such an event.

I would also like to express my thanks to the interpreters who reflected my words and to those who welcomed us.

Dr Akkan Suver gave an interview to CCTV News following the forum about the ideas put forward within the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road initiative of China.  

Nanjing forum speech of Dr. Akkan Suver:

On behalf of the Marmara Group Foundation which is a civil society organization of Turkey, I am here to deliver my speech to you all. Primarily, I would like to present my gratitude to the China Foundation for Human Rights Developments and Information Office of Jiangsu Provincial People’s Government for their great hospitality and for inviting us.

Ladies and Gentlemen;

Today, here, we are here to discuss the Maritime Silk Road and the Silk Road Economic Belt Project as we assess as the philosophy of the age.

Turkish Government attaches great important to this significant following project that was created two years ago in Kazakhstan by the President of the People’s Republic of China H.E. Xi JİNPİNG.

Marmara Group Foundation which I am the President of, with a huge responsibility, has been carrying out several activities and researches for the last 3 years for this Project to be sustainable.

Up until today I have participated twelve organizations and conferences in China regarding this issue. Moreover, I brought forward this topic in Baku, Bucharest, Chisinau, during several international meetings.

In Istanbul, we organized seven different activities together with People’s Republic of China.

Furthermore, it is 3 years that we have been focusing on the Silk Road Project at the international Eurasian Economic Summits that we, as the Marmara Group Foundation arrange every year.

I am telling you all these, because this Project is the Project of our age.

There is not only economic dimension. Certainly, there is a ‘’win – win’’ economic idea. However, according to me, social and cultural weight is at the rate of economic weight.

This Project is a civilization, peace and security Project.

China and England; the North Africa and Mongolia; Kazakhstan and Egypt; Russian Federation and India unite together thanks to this Project. Islam is uniting together with Buddhism; Christianity is uniting together with Judaism. In other words this project unites 4 billion of the world population.

Silk Road's success will be improved in a competitive environment thanks to the effective use of the information technologies. The combination of innovation and trade will play a key role in achieving financial goals.

The growth in the trade volume carried out by the countries of Central Asia and the Indian Ocean; and the win-win principle could be related with an innovative environment, rather than a competitive one.

With the help of newly finished second Suez Canal; Indian and Atlas Oceans will unite. Within this union, Turkey will form a new center in the Mediterranean.

Also, Turkey’s Marmaray tunnel which passes under the Marmara Sea in Istanbul connects Beijing to London. Still, together with the Baku-Tbilissi-Kars rail road, Turkey serves to the Silk Road through railway transport.

During all this processes, Uzbek culture will be transferring to Iran, Russian general habitudes to India, Chinese traditions to Spain and the philosophy of Kazakhstan will be transferring to Umman as well.

Chinese language will be spoken in Turkey, Uzbek language will be spoken in Egypt, Arabic will be spoken in Mongolia and Russian will be spoken in Bangladesh.

Along with those short topics, what I kindly want to inform your delegation is these values of the Project.

Hereby, I express my gratitude to those who contributed and will contribute to this Project.

And also, I would like to thank once again to our hosts who brought us together and greet you all with respect.

Madame Cui Yuying, Vice Minister of the State Council Information Office of the People’s Republic of China accepted Dr Akkan Suver at the Third Global Foundation (Nanjing) Leaders Forum.