A panel titled “Women in Diplomacy in the Turkic World: Shared Vision, Strong Representation, Sustainable Cooperation” was held as part of the Turkic World Dialogue Forum, organised by the Directorate of Communications in Ankara.
The panel, organised jointly by the AK Party Women's Branch and the AK Party Department for Relations with Turkic States, was moderated by Meryem Davutoğlu, Head of Relations with Turkic States at the AK Party Women's Branch.
Speaking at the opening of the panel, Ercan, Head of the AK Party Women's Branch, expressed her pleasure at meeting with women from across the Turkic world, noting that the gathering provided an opportunity to exchange experiences based on a shared awareness of their common historical heritage.
Emphasising that strong bonds among women would contribute to friendship and cooperation between countries, Ercan underlined that women's participation in these processes was an important driving force in strengthening the social dimension of diplomatic relations, diversifying channels of dialogue and creating new opportunities for cooperation.
Noting that women contributed to the development of their societies and helped shape the world of tomorrow through the responsibilities they assumed in numerous fields, from politics to international relations, Ercan said, “We regard enabling women to bring their knowledge, experience and potential to every sphere of life as one of the fundamental prerequisites for building a strong society and a strong future.”
Ercan also stated that shared cultural values, historical memory and collective social experience provided an important foundation for strengthening relations among the countries of the Turkic world.
“It will contribute to greater exchange of experience"
Referring to the influential position women have historically held in state administration and decision-making mechanisms in Turkic history, Ercan said:
"Strong relationships among women will contribute to greater cultural interaction between our countries, create new opportunities in education and entrepreneurship, and facilitate the exchange of experience in social policies. The joint initiatives we develop in numerous areas, from women’s participation in economic life and family policies to the future of young people and social solidarity, will bring our relations more closely into the everyday lives of our societies."
Recalling that Republic Day had been celebrated the previous day, on 29 October, Ercan marked the 103rd anniversary of the proclamation of the Republic and recalled the words of Ghazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk: "The history of tomorrow will open new chapters through Turkic unity. The world will find peace within those chapters."
Ercan noted that, drawing on the AK Party’s political experience and under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, significant progress had been made in strengthening relations across the Turkic world and bringing countries together around shared objectives. She emphasised that cooperation under the Organisation of Turkic States (OTS) played an important role in carrying their shared history and bonds of brotherhood into the future through strong political will.
Strong ties among women leaders will lay the foundations for the future
Pointing out that much work remained to be completed and many areas of cooperation needed to be deepened, Ercan nevertheless stressed that the Turkic world was now able to discuss its shared future with much greater determination and translate its objectives into more concrete action. She continued:
"As women assume more active responsibilities in the political and diplomatic life of our countries, our shared vision will also gain broader support across our societies. Strong relationships among women leaders will not only contribute to today’s diplomatic engagement but also lay the foundations for future generations to get to know one another better, embrace our shared values and carry forward a culture of cooperation.
"The determination demonstrated by women does more than contribute to the development of their own societies. At times, it also opens new avenues for addressing issues that transcend national borders and become matters of common concern to all humanity. Through all these meetings, we hope that women will make an even greater contribution to world peace and that these gatherings will give rise to new ideas and new forms of cooperation that extend a helping hand to oppressed people around the world, particularly in Gaza."
Referring to the Zero Waste Movement, launched in 2017 under the leadership of First Lady Emine Erdoğan and embraced internationally, Ercan described it as one of the most meaningful examples of the impact of women’s voices. She noted that an idea that began in Türkiye had evolved into a global environmental movement and secured a place on the international agenda.
“This development demonstrates a very important truth: when a woman’s vision is combined with strong determination and international cooperation, it not only changes the present but also shapes the future," Ercan said.
"Initiatives could be developed to help women entrepreneurs establish partnerships"
In her panel remarks, Tuğba Işık Ercan shared her views on women’s participation in diplomacy and decision-making across the Turkic world, as well as the steps needed to build lasting cooperation in these areas.
Stating that compassion and peace were lacking wherever women were absent, Ercan emphasised the importance of women being represented in decision-making mechanisms and having a say in decisions.
She noted that women leaders across the Turkic world could make significant contributions to the OTS by joining forces, highlighting the importance of regular exchanges of experience, mentoring and mutual learning.
Emphasising the need to expand economic cooperation in this context, Ercan said:
"Work could be undertaken to organise gatherings that would enable women entrepreneurs to get to know one another, access new markets and establish partnerships. We attach great importance to sharing knowledge in areas such as digitalisation and the green transition. We can develop shared agendas to ensure that women play a more influential role not only in production but also in decision-making across different fields. I believe that if we can achieve this in the Turkic world, we, as women of the Turkic world, will have a much greater influence throughout a world that has now become a global village."
Ercan also emphasised the importance of preserving their shared cultural heritage and passing it on to future generations, noting that women and mothers had significant responsibilities in introducing young people to the literature, art and everyday life of the countries of the Turkic world.
Other speakers at the panel included Sholpan Karinova, Member of the Kurultai of Kazakhstan from the Ädilet Political Party; Prof. Gulnara Botokanova, Vice-President of the National Academy of Sciences under the President of the Kyrgyz Republic; Halilova Hurshida Abduvaliyevna, Chair of the Andijan Regional Council of the Uzbekistan Liberal Democratic Party; and Resmiye Eroğlu Canaltay, former Minister of Public Works and Transport and Member of Parliament for Famagusta from the National Unity Party.
