On the 9^th of September the XIV International Symposium on Altaic Communities, dedicated to the 100^th anniversary of the First Turkological Congress, began its proceedings at the Presidium building of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences.

The event dedicated to the theme “The Past, Present and Future of Altaic Studies” is being held under the organization of the Presidium of ANAS, the ANAS Institute of Folklore and “Azersun Holding” LLC, with the support of the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA), TURKSOY, the Turkish Historical Society, the International Turkic Academy and the Presidency for Turks Abroad and Related Communities (YTB).

In addition to Azerbaijan, representatives from Turkey, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Mongolia, India, China, Japan, North Macedonia, Hungary, Germany and the Russian Federation participated in the 14^th International Symposium on Altaic Communities.

Opening the event with an introductory speech, Academician Isa Habibbeyli, President of ANAS, mentioned that international scientific meetings on Altaic studies have made significant contributions to the development of global Turkology. He noted the establishment of strong ties and bridges of cooperation among Azerbaijani scholars and scientific centers active in the fields of Altaic studies and Turkology over many years and also recalled his participation in Symposia of Altaic Peoples held in various countries. Academician Isa Habibbayli noted that the participation of scholars and researchers from various countries in this symposium further enhances the international scientific significance of the event.

Then Ilhan Sahin, President of the Academic Institution of Altai Societies and the professor at Istanbul 29 May University, made a speech highlighting the special significance of holding the event in Baku. He noted that the 100^th anniversary of the First Turkological Congress holds great historical importance for this symposium. Professor Ilhan Şahin recalled that scholars who gathered in Baku a century ago held important discussions regarding the languages, history, cultures and societies of Turkic peoples.

At the event President of the International Turkic Academy Academician Shahin Mustafayev, Press Counselor to the Turkish Ambassador to Azerbaijan Alptekin Cihangir Ishbilir, President of the Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation Aktoty Raimkulova, President of the Turkish Historical Society Prof. Haluk Selvi, as well as Academician Govhar Bakhshaliyeva and Halit Eren, delivered speeches emphasizing the importance of deeply studying the shared history and cultural heritage of the Altai peoples and of exchanging experiences.

It should be noted that the International Symposium on Altaic Communities is being held in Azerbaijan for the first time. A total of 121 presentations by scholars and specialists representing 15 countries will be delivered during the symposium, which will take place over four days at the Central Scientific Library of ANAS.