20 June 2024
The 27th Eurasian Economic Summit, organised without interruption by the Marmara Group Foundation for twenty-seven years, was successfully held on 21–22 February 2024.
The Summit opened with messages from President of Türkiye Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev.
Attended by presidents, former presidents, speakers of parliament, ministers, members of parliament, faith leaders, academics and businesspeople from 44 countries, the 27th Eurasian Economic Summit brought together 404 high-level participants from three continents.
Participants included President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus Ersin Tatar; Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye Fuat Oktay; Chair of the Turkish Delegation to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly and Antalya MP Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu; Governor of Istanbul Davut Gül; BSEC Deputy Secretary General Ambassador Merve Safa Kavakcı; PABSEC Secretary General Prof. Dr. Asaf Hajiyev; former minister Ali Talip Özdemir; and many guests from Türkiye and abroad.
Speaking at the event, Marmara Group Foundation President Dr. Akkan Suver said that the world was passing through global crises, disputes and wars. Referring to the climate crisis, water scarcity and waste management, he said:
“Our planet is experiencing a terrible storm caused by disputes, wars, global climate change and economic stagnation. The diplomatic language and diplomacy intended to advance international cooperation for a more humane world have disappeared. We are at the beginning of a new era in interstate relations. We consider this development, driven by populism and demagoguery, extremely dangerous.
In this new order, we are also building societies that work from the bottom up rather than from the top down. In the emerging world order, traditional organisations, political parties and institutions that share power are losing importance day by day. We are moving towards a virtual order governed through social networks, social media, individual ideas and powerful messages. Even if wars and crises continue, I believe that tomorrow we will somehow come together—and we must. To live tomorrow in peace and mutual respect, we have to build a sustainable and egalitarian future. To achieve this, we must rebuild trust.”
PABSEC Secretary General Prof. Dr. Asaf Hajiyev emphasised that the Marmara region forms a bridge between Asia and Eurasia. He noted that it is also where major trade routes meet: “Marmara is a crossroads from east to west and from north to south. The region is rich in energy resources, and many energy routes to European and world markets pass through it. Yet its greatest wealth is neither its geographical position nor its energy resources. The region's principal and fundamental wealth is its people.”
At the 27th Eurasian Economic Summit, PABSEC Secretary General Prof. Dr. Asaf Hajiyev and PABSEC President and Speaker of the Parliament of Albania Lindita Nikolla presented Dr. Akkan Suver with the PABSEC Medal of Honour in recognition of his outstanding service to peace, friendship and cooperation in the region.
BSEC Deputy Secretary General Ambassador Merve Safa Kavakcı said: “Our aim is to ensure cooperation and solidarity among our member states, thereby securing peace and bringing prosperity to our region.” She added that, as an intergovernmental organisation, BSEC seeks to adapt to the region's needs and offer solutions within a regional framework.
The cultural events held as part of the Summit also attracted considerable interest. During the opening ceremony, Dr. Akkan Suver pinned the Marmara Group Foundation membership badge on a robot named Ada and welcomed it as an honorary member of the Foundation—marking the first time a robot had become a member of a foundation.
A fashion show organised by İHKİB showcased the distinctive work of young Turkish designers.
The show received great interest from the guests. Afterwards, Dr. Akkan Suver thanked the designers, the Istanbul Fashion Academy and İHKİB executives, including Mustafa Urfi Akbalık, for their work.
The traditional Eurasian Economic Summits Cup, organised by the Jockey Club of Türkiye, was another event held within the Summit programme. This year's race was won by Öztekbey, owned by Sercan Kavuşan and ridden by jockey Vedat Abiş.
President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus Ersin Tatar and former President of Malta Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca presented the trophies. Jockey Club of Türkiye President Serdal Adalı, Gülnur Gülerce, and Canberk Yılmaz, Serhat Tabanca and Mustafa Ergin on behalf of the Marmara Group Foundation also attended.
Another major cultural event was a series of Turkish classical and Western music concerts performed by the Istanbul City Orchestra. The orchestra's exceptional performances captivated the guests, while a surprise appearance by celebrated Azerbaijani tenor Samir Jafarov brought further excitement to the programme.
On the second day of the Summit, faith leaders, statespeople and academics shared their views on both the Belt and Road Initiative and pathways to peace.
Another important session commemorated Türkiye's ninth President Süleyman Demirel on the centenary of his birth. Under the title “A Life in Pursuit of Water”, Turkish and international friends and colleagues shared their memories of him.
In the final session, moderated by Dr. Akkan Suver, twenty former presidents outlined road maps for overcoming crises. Through their views, ideas and assessments, they offered a vision highlighting the importance of common sense and shared values.
FOWPAL President Dr. Hong Tao-Tze presented Dr. Akkan Suver with the Federation of World Peace and Love's Medal of Peace and Love. During the Summit, representatives of Uzbekistan's Namangan Region also presented traditional chapans to Dr. Akkan Suver and Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu.
Medals of honour were presented to Speaker of the House of Representatives of Bosnia and Herzegovina Marinko Čavara and former President of Croatia Stjepan Mesić in recognition of their participation in the Eurasian Economic Summits for ten years. Governor of Istanbul Davut Gül presented Čavara's medal, while MP Fuat Oktay presented the medal to Mesić.
Presidents Who Honoured the 27th Eurasian Economic Summit with Their Participation
Speakers of Parliament Who Honoured the 27th Eurasian Economic Summit with Their Participation
