First Lady of Azerbaijan Attends Education Panel at Antalya Diplomacy Forum

Antalya, The Gulf Observer: The Antalya Diplomacy Forum, held on April 12 in the Turkish city of Antalya, featured a high-level panel session titled “Building the Future in a Fragmented World: The Transformative Power of Education.” Among the distinguished attendees were the First Lady of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Mehriban Aliyeva, and her daughter, Leyla Aliyeva.

Prior to the panel, guests visited the stand of the African Culture House—an initiative launched in 2016 by Turkish First Lady Emine Erdoğan. The House seeks to support African women by promoting their handicrafts, turning their work into economic value, and fostering intercultural solidarity.

The session, supported by the Turkish Maarif Foundation, commenced with a video presentation outlining the Foundation’s global educational outreach. Currently, nearly 70,000 students are enrolled in Maarif Foundation schools across 55 countries, underscoring its substantial contribution to international education.

Türkiye’s First Lady Emine Erdoğan delivered a keynote address, emphasizing the growing relevance of education in a time of global conflict and fragmentation. She underscored that education is indispensable for fostering social inclusion and achieving sustainable development.

The session featured a cultural performance by students from the Turkish Maarif Foundation school in Côte d’Ivoire, who sang songs in multiple languages, reflecting the forum’s emphasis on unity through diversity.

The panel concluded with in-depth discussions on the pivotal role of education in addressing global challenges and promoting a more inclusive and resilient future.