H.E. Zehra Zümrüt SELÇUK welcomed H.E. Prof. Dr. Mesut ÖZCAN, the Director of Diplomacy Academy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Türkiye at SESRIC Headquarters.

The visit aimed at reinforcing collaborative efforts between the Academy and SESRIC towards advancing diplomacy in the OIC member countries. This aligns seamlessly with the overarching mission of both instituions, underscoring their commitment to fostering diplomatic initiatives that contribute to a more harmonious and cooperative global community.

During the meeting, H.E. SELÇUK thanked for the valuable support of the Diplomacy Academy to SESRIC throughout the years. In particular, she emphasized the productive collaboration within the scope of SESRIC's annual capacity building activities organized for the benefit of junior diplomats from the OIC member countries. These activities are organized under SESRIC's Diplomacy Capacity Building Programme with a different theme each year and aim at enhancing junior diplomats' knowledge on a specific topic.

H.E. Prof. Dr. ÖZCAN in his turn highlighted the Academy's willingness in enhancing cooperation with various OIC countries, believing in the great potential the region has to offer. Furthermore, he commended the efforts exerted by SESRIC in contributing to the advancement of various socio-economic fields and areas, in addition to diplomacy, highlighting the positive impact of these endeavours towards the development efforts of the OIC countries.

The meeting discussed various potential areas of partnership within the scope of both institutions' goals and mandated areas. The mutual aspirations embedded in these newly identified areas of collaboration hold the potential to elevate diplomatic research, policy formulation, and conflict resolution across OIC member countries, thereby fostering a more cohesive and harmonious diplomatic landscape in the region.

Structured by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Türkiye, Diplomacy Academy is a training institution that plans and conducts basic, preparatory, and in-service trainings and internship programmes for the Ministry members who carry out the international relations of the Republic of Türkiye, its foreign policy and consular services. An extensive curriculum is offered by the Academy, including classes on the basics of formulating foreign policy, Turkish Foreign Policy, diplomacy, international economics, negotiating strategies, and protocol guidelines. Diplomacy Academy, upon requests received within the framework of bilateral cooperation agreements, also organizes tailor-made training programmes for foreign diplomats.