As we leave 2024 behind, we enter 2025 with new hopes and expectations. Although difficulties, troubles and environmental conditions affect us, we are always looking forward.Entering its 5th year, BDU has created a ‘sustainable benefit ecosystem’ with its work, civil diplomacy and business cooperation initiatives, education and youth programmes, social responsibility projects and other exemplary global activities. Looking back, we have organised more than 150 events with our stakeholders, partners and sponsors.
Our national and international events on different topics such as R&D, innovation, entrepreneurship, sustainability, peace, diplomacy, development, digital transformation, culture and arts, human rights, and training programmes were well attended.
On the occasion of the 60th anniversary of Turkey-EU relations, we tried to support the development of Turkey-EU relations at political, diplomatic and technical levels by organising conferences, panels and workshops with topics such as Turkey-EU Relations and Future, Customs Union, EU Green Deal. We also shared the ‘outputs’ of our activities with both Ankara and Brussels.
Thanks to the B2B and B2Cs held at the 4 different Cooperation and Investment Summits we organised with the UK-based BOSCO Conferences Group on different dates, economic gains and commercial partnerships were formed.
Nearly 750 African business people from 42 countries participated in the African Economic Forum and Fair, which we organised for the first time with our stakeholders this year. Approximately 5 thousand people visited the fair for 4 days. In the B2B meetings, dozens of commercial agreements and the purchase and sale of goods and services were realised.
Likewise, we participated in the ‘1st Turkic States Trade and Investment Cooperation Forum and Fair’ as a stakeholder. This forum and fair was also well attended and many cooperation investment agreements were made.
At the academic level, we supported the ‘10th Istanbul Security Conference’ and the ‘3rd Conference on the Management of Organisations’. In both conferences, nearly 200 academicians, experts and professional managers made ‘presentations and speeches’ in more than 60 ‘sessions’.
As BDU, we attach great importance to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). Because BDU considers TRNC as an independent and independent state. At the same time, it believes that it is a part of the Organisation of States of the Turkic World. We carry out civil diplomacy initiatives and lobbying at every opportunity for the recognition of the TRNC and we explain the economic opportunities of the TRNC to our international partners with whom we have a cooperation protocol.
We are discussing with government officials different investment alternatives in the TRNC, the ‘Flagship’ of the Mediterranean, such as energy, construction, real estate, pharmaceuticals. Serious economic cooperation and commercial investment programmes are planned with the BDU TRNC High Representation in 2025 and beyond.
We will carry out the social responsibility and EU grant projects we have carried out so far, more institutional and Brussels-centred in 2025 and beyond. Civil diplomacy, leadership and lifelong learning trainings will continue. We will continue to support gender equality, EU Green Deal, UN Development Programmes and sustainability processes.
We have signed cooperation protocols with many NGOs from different countries such as Azerbaijan, TRNC, USA, UK, Belgium, Poland, Serbia, Portugal, Spain, Egypt, Ukraine, Cameroon, Sudan, China, Russia, Uzbekistan, Kuwait, Qatar, etc. With these protocols, comprehensive projects on trade cooperation, diplomacy, peacekeeping, development and many more will be implemented one by one.
The multi-equation, complex structure of international relations and, of course, the fact that our region is in a war zone makes our longing for peace even more evident. Our country’s leadership in this geography, its stability and its deep-rooted and deep-rooted relations with both the East and the West give us strength.
As the digital future is fast approaching, we are excited to plan the future of the future and be a part of it, while on the other hand, we are focused on the projects we will carry out at home and abroad with the motto of uniting in one world and one future.
Turkey is a regional power and a leading country in the light illuminated by Anatolia and Mesopotamia, the cradle of ancient civilisations. As a part of this civilisation, BDU will continue its path as a pioneer in independent, respected and civil diplomacy with enthusiasm.
May the New Year bring peace, tranquility and prosperity to both our country and humanity. It is our greatest wish that the science and technology created by humanity will bring peace and stability to humanity.
Hnr. Dr Musa Karademir
Founding General President
