Baku: The First Congress of Turkic World Composers has taken place as part of the 18th Uzeyir Hajibeyli International Music Festival.

According to Azeri-Press News Agency, this event was hosted by the Union of Composers of Azerbaijan and witnessed participation from heads of composers' organizations across Turkic states, musicologists, cultural and public figures, and media representatives.

Abdulhakeem Alsenan, Director of ICESCO's Regional Office in Azerbaijan, highlighted the congress's aim to forge new connections in culture and science. He emphasized Uzeyir Hajibeyli's role in shaping Azerbaijan's modern musical identity, noting the importance of cultural heritage as both a reflection of the past and a current identity component. Alsenan expressed pride in the partnership between UNESCO and Azerbaijan, aiming to bolster cultural cooperation between Azerbaijan, Central Asia, the Islamic world, and the global community.

Artyk Tokansanbayev, Chairman of the Association of Composers of the Republic of Kazakhstan, advocated for the creation of a catalogue of contemporary Turkic music to elevate the presence of these works globally. He noted the necessity of operating on a large scale through collaboration with major publishing houses, festivals, and professional agencies. Tokansanbayev stressed that collective efforts are essential to represent high-quality, professionally produced music and suggested potential collaborations with music publishers, international studios, and licensing organizations.

The congress proceeded with discussions on joint projects and the prospects for cooperation among Turkic states in the music field, signaling a unified effort to enhance the global presence of Turkic music.