The World League of Turkic Youth (WLTC) is organizing the 20th Turkic World Youth Days and Congress, one of the most widely attended youth gatherings of the Turkic World, between 12–17 September 2025 in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC).

The congress will be held in the cities of Lefkoşa and Lefke, bringing together youth organizations, academics, businesspeople, and representatives of civil society from 35 different regions, thus providing an opportunity for the youth of the Turkic World to come together.

The event is being realized with the support of the Presidency for Turks Abroad and Related Communities (YTB) and the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA).

Purpose of the Congress

WLTC President Ersin Güzel emphasized the importance of the event for the youth of the Turkic World, stating:

“With our young people coming from all corners of the Turkic World, we aim not only to exchange ideas but also to build a common vision for the future. This congress constitutes a unique opportunity to strengthen the bonds among young people across our cultural geography and to increase cooperation in cultural, scientific, and economic fields.”

Founded in 1991, WLTC today stands as the world’s largest Turkic youth network with the participation of civil society organizations from 20 different countries. For more than 30 years, this congress has aimed to strengthen the cultural unity of the Turkic World, foster solidarity among youth, and develop joint projects.

Participating Countries and Organizations

The congress will host participation from 20 countries and regions, including Turkey, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, TRNC, Turkmenistan, Iraqi Turkmeneli, Western Thrace, Ahiska, and East Turkistan, with more than 50 civil society organizations in attendance.

Among these are institutions addressing wide communities such as Turkish Hearths (Türk Ocakları), the Turkic World Culture and Arts Foundation, the Iraqi Turkmen Front, the World Uyghur Congress, and the European Turkish Federation.

A 33-Year Journey from Past to Present

First organized in 1992 in Kazan, Tatarstan, the Turkic World Youth Congress has since been held in diverse geographies such as Crimea, Azerbaijan, Romania, North Macedonia, and Turkey.

In the past 19 congresses, cultural, economic, and political issues concerning the youth of the Turkic World have been addressed, and many joint decisions and projects have been implemented.