A Global Diaspora Leaders Summit was held in Istanbul as part of the 2nd World Turkish Business Council (DTİK) Türkiye Meeting, organized by the Foreign Economic Relations Board of Türkiye (DEİK) and the World Turkish Business Council (DTİK).
The panel discussion focused on diaspora policy, the growing role of the diaspora in the Turkic world, and the contribution of the business community to this field.
The panel was moderated by DEİK Deputy Secretary-General Adem Yavuz and featured Valeh Hajiyev, First Deputy Chairman of Azerbaijan’s State Committee on Work with the Diaspora; Mehmet Kemal Bozay, Türkiye’s Deputy Foreign Minister and Chairman for EU Affairs at the ministry; Abdülhadi Turus, Head of the Presidency for Turks Abroad and Related Communities; and Turkish national basketball player and “Guler Legacy” founder Sinan Güler.
Speaking at one of the summit’s main panels, Valeh Hajiyev emphasized that human capital is one of the most important factors in diaspora development. He highlighted the historical, national, spiritual and cultural values that unite the peoples of Azerbaijan and Türkiye, noting that relations between the two brotherly countries are successfully developing across all areas.
Hajiyev said these developments also create new responsibilities for diaspora organizations. He stressed the importance of closer cooperation between Azerbaijani and Turkish diasporas abroad, expanding mutual experience-sharing and implementing joint projects.
He also highlighted the importance of DTİK bringing together Turkish businesspeople, diaspora representatives and public activists living in different countries on a unified cooperation platform. According to Hajiyev, such platforms contribute not only to the development of economic ties but also to strengthening the diaspora potential of the Turkic world.
He particularly emphasized the importance of actively involving young people in these processes, developing a new generation of diaspora leaders and ensuring their broader representation on international platforms.
The event continued with an exchange of views on the issues discussed. Participants shared their experiences and discussed expanding cooperation, developing new projects, improving coordination mechanisms among diaspora organizations and exploring future opportunities for collaboration.