Second Meeting of the Presidents of the Academies of Sciences of the BSEC Member States with the participation of Rectors of Leading Turkish Universities, Istanbul, 27 June 2025
On 27 June 2025, the Second Meeting of the Presidents of the Academies of Sciences of the BSEC Member States was held in Istanbul, Türkiye, on the theme “Cooperation and Development of Science and Education in the Black Sea Region.” The event was organised by Istanbul University in cooperation with the PABSEC International Secretariat.
The meeting was attended by representatives of the Academies of Sciences of the BSEC Member States, including Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Georgia, Greece, Moldova, Romania, Türkiye, Ukraine, President of Turkic Academy, rectors of leading universities, the BSEC Permanent International Secretariat, the Black Sea Universities’ Network and the PABSEC International Secretariat.
At the opening, the participants were addressed by Prof. Dr. Osman Bülent Zülfikar, Rector of the Istanbul University, Mr. Asaf Hajiyev, PABSEC Secretary General, and Ambassador Dimitrios Rallis, Deputy Secretary General of the BSEC Permanent International Secretariat.
Prof. Dr. Osman Bülent Zülfikar, Rector of Istanbul University, delivered a presentation highlighting the university’s significant contributions to various fields of research related to the Black Sea region. He emphasized the university’s robust scientific structure and its high capacity for interdisciplinary impact, noting its role in promoting knowledge sharing and academic cooperation across the BSEC Member States.
Mr. Asaf Hajiyev, PABSEC Secretary General, welcomed the participants and noted the significance of the development of scientific cooperation in the region and beyond. He underlined the importance of elaboration of effective legislation to support scientific progress, encouraged the implementation of joint research projects and grant programs among scholars, and advocated for the exchange of ideas and the expansion of student exchange initiatives.
During the Meeting the participants exchanged views on enhancing scientific collaboration as a key driver for addressing pressing global and regional challenges, including climate change, digital transformation, and socio-economic inequalities. The importance of joint initiatives to promote interdisciplinary research, foster innovation, and strengthen knowledge exchange across the region was underscored. Discussions focused on advancing joint research programs, promoting artificial intelligence in science and education, expanding educational cooperation, facilitating innovation and technology transfer, and enhancing capacity building and exchange programs for young scientists.
The meeting concluded by adopting a Communique. It was proposed to organize the next meeting in 2026 in Sofia under the patronage of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences.