Turkic Week in Geneva, marking the successful culmination of a vibrant celebration hosted by the Organization of Turkic States (OTS), concluded in Geneva. Spanning from 22-25 April 2024, this inaugural event was a celebration of the shared heritage, collaborative spirit, and rich artistic legacy of the Turkic States.
Turkic Week in Geneva commenced with the grand opening of the Turkic World Exhibition on 22 April curated by the International Organization of Turkic Culture (TURKSOY) and the Turkic Academy. The exhibition showed a diverse array of cultural artifacts, handicrafts, paintings, and photographs, serving as a testament to Turkic civilizations' enduring legacy and historical contributions.
In her opening address, United Nations (UN) Geneva Director-General H.E. Tatiana Valovaya expressed great pleasure in hosting the event, emphasizing how the exhibition "fully reflects the diversity" of the Turkic world's heritage and culture.
The Secretary General of the OTS, H.E. Ambassador Kubanychbek Omuraliev, highlighted the profound impact of the Silk Road, emphasizing how it facilitated cultural exchanges between East and West, with Turkic peoples playing a pivotal role in shaping civilizations through trade and intercultural dialogue.
On 22 April, at the conference titled "OTS as an Emerging Actor for Achieving Sustainable Development Goals", participants engaged in enlightening discussions on leveraging Turkic cooperation to address global challenges and foster sustainable development.
The conference on 23 April shifted the focus to the joint endeavors of the Turkic Cooperation Organizations, with a Conference themed "Turkic Cooperation Organizations: United in Heritage, Forward in Action". The day culminated in a Gala Concert, where TURKSOY artists mesmerized guests with their captivating performances, weaving a tapestry of art and culture from the Turkic World.
On 25 April, the famous Kazakh composer and pianist Rakhat-Bi Abdyssagin graced the stage, delivering a concert that resonated with the diverse melodies of Turkic peoples, bringing the week-long celebration to a majestic close.
The Turkic Week in Geneva offered an engaging lineup of activities, including enlightening conferences focusing on the political significance of Turkic Cooperation Organizations, notably in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), as well as captivating musical performances designed to deepen understanding and foster meaningful collaboration among participants.
The event was co-organized by the OTS, Turkic Academy, Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation, TURKPA, TURKSOY, and the Permanent Missions of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Türkiye and Uzbekistan to the UN Geneva Office. The Turkic Week in Geneva was hosted by the UN Geneva Office, the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), and the Geneva Conservatory of Music.
Within the framework of the Turkic Week in Geneva program, the Secretary General of the OTS, H.E. Ambassador Kubanychbek Omuraliev held meetings with the Heads of United Nations organizations and other institutions. Particularly with the European Union Special Representative for Central Asia, Ms. Terhi Hakala and with the Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), H.E. Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
