Shusha, December 10, AZERTAC The founding conference of the Union of Cultural Capitals of the Turkic World has been held in the city of Shusha, marking the culmination of the "Shusha 2023 - the Cultural Capital of the Turkic World".Dignitaries present at the event included Special Representative of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the Shusha district Aydin Karimov, Azerbaijani Minister of Culture Adil Karimli, Minister of Culture of Turkmenistan Atageldi Shamyradov, as well as governors and officials from various Turkic cities and regions, including Eskisehir and Bursa in Türkiye, Turkestan in Kazakhstan, Osh in Kyrgyzstan and Anau in Turkmenistan.Addressing the conference, Special Representative of the President of Azerbaijan in the Shusha district Aydin Karimov described the holding of the founding conference of the Union of Cultural Capitals of the Turkic World in the city of Shusha as a milestone event. He also highlighted the importance of the joint document to be signed.Following the opening remarks, a joint statement of the Union of Cultural Capitals of the Turkic World (TURKBIR) was signed with the aim of contributing to the social, cultural and economic development of the cities selected by TURKSOY as the "the Cultural Capital of the Turkic World " and promoting these cities on the international stage and enhancing their tourism potential.Furthermore, Mayor of Bursa Alinur Aktas was elected as the chairman of the organization by a unanimous majority of TURKBIR member leaders.