On July 28-30, Dr. Akram Umarov, First Vice Rector for Academic Affairs at the University of World Economy and Diplomacy and Director of the Institute for Advanced International Studies, visited Ankara to participate in the forum “Executive Seminar 04-25: Changing Security Landscape in South and Central Asia”, organized by the Center for Strategic Studies of the Middle East and South Asia (NESA). Dr. Umarov delivered a presentation on cooperation between Central Asia and Afghanistan to representatives of 15 foreign countries participating in the forum.

During his visit, Akram Umarov held talks with the Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Türkiye – Coordinator of International Cooperation Dr. Serdar Çam, Ambassador of the Republic of Uzbekistan to the Republic of Türkiye Ilkhom Khaydarov, representative of the SETA Foundation for Political, Economic and Social Research, research professor Murat Aslan, founder of the ANKASAM analytical center Professor Mehmet Seifettin Erol, Rector of Ankara University Yildirim Bayazit Prof. Dr. Ali Cengiz Köseoğlu, and Vice Rector of Ankara University Prof. Dr. Kaan Orhan.

During the meetings, an agreement was reached on establishing bilateral cooperation, in particular on signing a memorandum of understanding between the universities and implementing academic exchange programs for students and teachers within its framework. In particular, issues related to attracting professors and teachers from Türkiye to teach the Turkish language and equipping Turkish language classes with modern technical equipment were discussed.

In addition, the issue of establishing cooperation in the field of research was discussed, including the regular publication of scientific articles by representatives of UWED and IAIS in the journals of Turkish analytical centers. At the same time, an agreement was reached on joint work to organize the first Forum of Think Tanks of Uzbekistan and Türkiye and to turn this event into a traditional format of regular meetings, starting next year.

The results of this visit are of particular importance as they serve to strengthen scientific, cultural, and educational ties between Uzbekistan and Turkey, as well as to expand opportunities for cooperation on regional security issues.