From 9 to 11 October 2026, Kocaeli, Türkiye, hosted the Turkic World Youth Gathering — Türk Dünyası Gençlik Buluşması — under the motto “Shared Heritage — One Heart” (Ortak Miras, Tek Yürek).

The event was coordinated by the Directorate for Relations with Turkic States of Türkiye's governing AK Parti, with support from Kocaeli Municipality. It brought together young people from different regions of the Turkic world, as well as representatives of universities and youth communities.

Comrat State University was represented by five students from the Faculty of Law and the Faculty of Economics.

The programme included discussion panels, cultural activities, concerts, excursions and meetings designed to introduce young people to the Turkic world's shared historical and cultural heritage.

Four thematic panels were held as part of the programme:

• “The Future of the Turkic World: Youth, Identity and a Shared Vision”
• “A Vision for the Future of the Turkic World: Youth, Cooperation and Diplomacy”
• “The Shared Memory of the Turkic World: Joining Forces in Traditional Media”
• “The Digital Silk Road: Youth and Interaction on Social Media”

Participants also visited the Aytepe Diriliş camp, joined cultural and recreational activities and concerts, and explored the musical traditions of different peoples. The programme featured the meeting “The Legacy of the Past and the Voice of the Present: Discovering the Contemporary Turkic World through Stories”, a film screening and a ceremony awarding certificates to participants.

The gathering offered young people from different countries a platform to meet, exchange views and reflect on their shared historical and cultural heritage. Particular attention was given to preserving traditions, developing friendly relations between peoples and shaping a shared vision for the future of the Turkic world.

Comrat State University expresses its sincere gratitude to the organisers — AK Parti's Directorate for Relations with Turkic States — and the hosts, Kocaeli Municipality, for enabling its students to join this international gathering, meet representatives from different countries and experience the rich cultural heritage of the Turkic world.

Participation in such events opens up new opportunities for intercultural communication, broadens young people's horizons and strengthens friendship and mutual understanding between peoples.