The Conference of the High Courts of the Turkic States was established

On 19 October 2023, the city of Shusha hosted the international conference on the “Judiciary and information technologies: modern challenges” dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the National Leader, Heydar Aliyev.

Mr. Inam Karimov, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Republic of Azerbaijan, opened the conference with the participation of the Chief Justices of the High Courts of Turkic States and expressed his pleasure of welcoming the guests in Shusha, the cultural capital of the Turkish world. The Chief Justice said that Heydar Aliyev, a genius who rendered invaluable services in the history of the Azerbaijani people, is the architect of New Azerbaijan. The activities of the Great Leader are not limited to Azerbaijan, a genius with an incredible reputation in the international world and wise policy has left a great mark in the Turkish world, as well as in the global processes. During his tenure, he always initiated and organized projects that aimed at the development of the relations with the Turkic States. Today, this policy is successfully continued by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev. “The Turkish world is a big family” said the President Mr. Ilham Aliyev who attaches great importance to the relations with the Turkish States.

Mr. Inam Karimov said that against the backdrop of the complex processes around the world, new challenges have emerged before the states and their judicial systems. In order to respond to these challenges, the establishment of courts with modern requirements, increasing the professionalism in the administration of justice and in the application of innovative technologies, the expansion of the relations between judicial and legal systems is the need of the modern time. It was brought to the attention the importance of establishing the Conference of the High Courts of the Turkic States: to expand relations between the judicial bodies of the member and observer states of the Organization of Turkic States, to exchange their ideas and experience on issues of common interest.

Then the First President of the Supreme Court of the Türkiye (Yargıtay), Mr. Mehmet Akarca noted in his speech that the world-famous Heydar Aliyev, who founded the political union in Azerbaijan, also rendered important services for the unity of the Turkic World. It was mentioned that it is very important to bring into line the judicial system with the innovations of the modern era. Here the broad process needs to be assessed from legal education to the ensuring court transparency. In this regard, there are many issues that Turkic-speaking countries will learn from each other. Mr. Mehmet Akarca spoke on the importance of the establishment of the Conference of High Courts of the Turkic States and emphasized his confidence that the strengthening of judicial-legal cooperation would be beneficial for the entire Turkic world.

Chairman of the Supreme Court of the Republic of Kazakhstan Mr. Aslambek Mergaliyev welcomed the initiative to establish the Conference of the High Courts of the Turkic States and noted that this conference should become an important platform for improving court work, ensuring the efficiency of judiciary and court administration, and exchanging experience. The conference will enhance the cooperation and become an important part of interaction between states.

Then the President of the State Council of Türkiye (Danıştay), Mr. Zeki Yigit said that in the modern era the speedy trial and the application of artificial intelligence are inevitable. It was also noted that the establishment of the Conference of High Courts of Turkic States would allow to get  acquainted with the judicial system of the member countries and strengthen integration and cooperation.

First Deputy Chairman of the Supreme Court of the Republic of Uzbekistan Mrs. Robakhon Makhmudova mentioned in her speech that in recent years Uzbekistan-Azerbaijan relations have successfully developed in the spirit of friendship and the strategic partnership and the regular contact between the leaders of these countries is an important reason for this. In this context, to expand and enhance the cooperation between judicial bodies, the Supreme Court of the Republic of Uzbekistan accepted with great pleasure the initiative of establishing the Conference of the High Courts of the Turkic States. It was reported that the signing of the Shusha Declaration and the holding of today’s conference will serve as the exchange of ideas and best practices related to the development of the judicial system.

Then the Chairman of the Supreme Court of the Kyrgyz Republic, Mr. Zamirbek Bazarbekov, gave detailed information to the conference participants about the judicial system of the country that he represents. He noted that it would be very useful to study the experience of the Turkic States in the organization of the digitization of the judicial system in Kyrgyzstan.

President of the Supreme Court of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, Mrs. Narin Ferdi Shefik, informed of the activities of the court headed by her. Joining the opinions of her colleagues, she also mentioned the necessity of establishing the Conference of High Courts of the Turkic States and the benefits that it would bring to the judicial system of the member countries.

The Deputy of the Secretary General of the Organization of Turkic States, Mr. Sadi Jafarov, noted in his speech that the organization he represents continues its efforts to expand and strengthen cooperation between the Turkic States in different fields, from politics to economy, energy, transport, tourism, education, youth, and sports. It was stated that the new cooperation format established today will ensure the exchange of advanced experience in the relevant field between the Turkish countries, and will provide the basis for various joint projects, as well as the implementation of joint training programs.

Mr. Inam Karimov made a closing speech and thanked the conference participants.

Later, the signing ceremony of the Shusha Declaration on the establishment of the Conference of High Courts of the Turkic States was held.

At the end, a group photo was taken.