TURKISH CENTER  for ASIA PACIFIC STUDIES

APAC participated in the concert-reception held on May 29, 2025 in Ankara, to commemorate the 127th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence and to mark the conclusion of the year-long celebration of the 75th Anniversary of Philippines–Turkey Diplomatic Relations, hosted by Ambassador Henry S. Bensurto of the Philippines.

On April 21, 2025, APAC had the privilege of participating in a reception in Ankara, commemorating both the National & Independence Day of Bangladesh and the Bengali New Year. The event was graciously hosted by Ambassador M. Amanul Haq.

APAC attended the National Day Celebration of Belgium on July 17, 2025, hosted by Ambassador Hendrik Van de Velde at the Embassy of Belgium in Ankara.

APAC participated in the Mango Festival on July 18, 2025, hosted by Ambassador Dr. Yousaf Junaid at the Embassy of Pakistan in Ankara.

APAC participated in the farewell event for Ambassador Miles Armitage on 29 June 2025, organized by the Embassy of Australia in Ankara. APAC extends its gratitude to Ambassador Armitage for his exceptional efforts in strengthening the Australia-Turkey partnership during his tenure and wishes him every success in his new post in Riyadh.

APAC Founding Director Professor Selçuk Çolakoğlu participated in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Media and Think Tank Summit, held from July 23 to 27, 2025. The summit was organized by the Xinhua News Agency, the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, and the Henan Province government. This year’s SCO Summit, hosted by China in Tianjin, carries the theme “Upholding the Shanghai Spirit: SCO on the Move,” with a focus on advancing institutional integration. Additionally, Professor Çolakoğlu contributed to the SCO Youth Dialogue, organized by Zhengzhou University, to foster academic cooperation among SCO members and partner countries.

APAC participated in the reception to celebrate the birthday of His Majesty King Willem-Alexander of the Kingdom of the Netherlands organized by the Embassy of the Netherlands in Ankara on April 29, 2025.

APAC attended a reception on 12 June 2025 in Ankara, hosted by Ambassador Jill Morris of the United Kingdom, to celebrate the birthday of His Majesty King Charles III.

APAC participated in the event on the occasion of the 181st Independence Anniversary of the Dominican Republic organized by the Embassy of the Dominican Republic in Ankara on March 17, 2025.

APAC participated in an event marking the 9th anniversary of the South China Sea Arbitration award, organized by the Philippine Embassy in Ankara on July 12, 2025.

On March 24, 2025, APAC had the distinct pleasure of participating in a reception in Ankara, held on the occasion of the Greek Independence Day. The event was generously hosted by Ambassador Theodoros Bizakis of Greece.

APAC participated in the reception held on the occasion of the arrival of the new Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China, Mr Jiang Xuebin, and the Defence Attaché, Senior Colonel Yang Jianjun, in Ankara on 16 April 2025.

APAC participated in a reception on the occasion of the Swiss National Day in Ankara on July 31, 2025, hosted by Ambassador Guillaume Scheurer. This year marks the 100th anniversary of the 1925 Agreement of Friendship between Turkey and Switzerland. The diplomatic ties between the two nations, however, date back even further to the Ottoman Empire in the 19th century. The Swiss Embassy in Ankara celebrated this centennial with the motto, "100 Years of Friendship: Innovative then, now, and tomorrow."

On January 26, 2025, the Asia-Pacific Studies Center (APAC) had the honor of participating in a reception in Ankara, Turkey. This event was held to commemorate the 76th Republic Day of India, and was graciously hosted by Ambassador Muktesh K. Pardeshi.

APAC participated in a reception held on the occasion of Japanese Self-Defense Forces Day in Ankara on July 2, 2025. The event was hosted by Ambassador Katsumata Takahiko of Japan, and the Defence Attaché, Capt. Saito Naoki.

APAC had the pleasure of participating in a reception in Ankara on February 4, 2025. This event was held to commemorate the Armed Forces Day of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The reception was generously hosted by Ambassador Mirsada Čolaković.

APAC had the privilege of participating in a reception in Ankara. This event was held to commemorate the 77th Anniversary of the Independence Day of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka on February 4, 2025. The reception was graciously hosted by Ambassador Saranya Hasanthi Urugodawatte Dissanayake.

APAC Senior Researcher Mehmet Bozkurt attended the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Digital Economy Forum in Tianjin, China, on July 11, 2025. The event was organized by the Tianjin Academy of Social Sciences, the Tianjin Data Development Center, and the Tianjin Municipal Government. During the forum, Mr. Bozkurt presented a paper titled The Role of Global and Regional Trade Frameworks in Data Governance. Additionally, APAC became a member of the SCO Digital Economy Cooperation Think Tank Alliance, joining 30 research institutions from around the world.

On February 19, 2025, APAC had the honor of participating in a reception in Ankara, held in celebration of the birthday of His Majesty the Emperor of Japan. The event was graciously hosted by Ambassador Katsumata Takahiko.

"APAC participated in a reception on July 1, 2025, on the occasion of Canada Day, hosted by Ambassador Kevin Hamilton at the Embassy of Canada in Ankara.

APAC participated in the reception in Ankara on February 10, 2025, hosted by Ambassador Mohammad Hassan Habibollah Zadeh, to mark the 46th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution of Iran.

APAC participated in a reception in Ankara on the occasion of the 31st Anniversary of the National Liberation of Rwanda and Stopping the Genocide against the Tutsi on July 4, hosted by Ambassador Charles Kayonga.

APAC participated in a reception on July 16, 2025, marking the 98th Anniversary of the Founding of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA). The event was hosted by Ambassador Jiang Xuebin and Defence Attaché Senior Colonel Yang Jianjun of the Embassy of China in Ankara.