Minister Işıkhan Held Bilateral Meetings During the OECD 2026 Skills Summit

Prof. Dr. Vedat Işıkhan, Minister of Labour and Social Security, held bilateral meetings during the OECD 2026 Skills Summit, which was held at Istanbul Haliç Congress Center

Minister Işıkhan continued his bilateral meetings on the second day of the summit, which was hosted by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security.

Following a bilateral meeting with OECD Secretary-General Mathias Cormann, Minister Işıkhan wished that the second day of the summit would also be productive and stated:

“I firmly believe that with the attendance of our esteemed President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan at today’s summit, Türkiye has reaffirmed its commitment to a just and equitable multilateral order and international peace at the highest level. Considering the success of the Ahilik and guild system, which has left an indelible mark on Turkish history, and the transmission of skills and experience across generations, I think the main theme of our Summit is an extremely apt choice.”

Işıkhan added that the culture of cooperation between the OECD and Türkiye will continue to thrive in the coming period.

Işıkhan also mentioned that during Türkiye’s G20 Presidency in 2015, the situation of young people neither in education nor in employment (NEETs) was brought to the center of global policy, and said, “With the Antalya Youth Goal, perhaps for the first time, NEETs were at the center of such high-level political commitment.”

Minister Işıkhan subsequently met with Luka Mesec, Deputy Prime Minister of Slovenia and Minister of Labour, Family, Social Affairs, and Equal Opportunities.

During the meeting, Minister Işıkhan wished the Social Security Agreement signed between Türkiye and Slovenia, as well as the opening of the Honorary Consulate in Novo Mesto, to be beneficial for both countries.

Işıkhan emphasized the need to establish a more institutionalized and sustainable framework for cooperation between the ministries of the two countries and stated that his ministry is ready to share expertise on all matters that fall within the scope of its duties.

Minister Işıkhan, also met with Dame Diana Johnson, Minister of Employment of the United Kingdom and noted that there are strategic partnerships and deep-rooted historical ties between the two countries.

Işıkhan also held a bilateral meeting with Hasan Ademov, Minister of Labour and Social Policy of Bulgaria, and wished the results of general election would be beneficial for their country.

Minister Işıkhan pointed out that Türkiye and Bulgaria are two neighboring countries strongly connected not only geographically but also through historical and cultural ties.

He expressed his appreciation that Bulgaria will host the next Skills Summit.

Minister Işıkhan, as part of his contacts, met with Yannai Kadamaní, Minister of Culture, Arts, and Knowledge of Colombia.

During the meeting, Minister Işıkhan noted that under the leadership of His Excellency President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, rapid steps are being taken in Türkiye to boost employment, and these steps are yielding positive results. 

Işıkhan noted that Colombia’s holistic approach, which places culture, art, and local knowledge at the center of economic growth, aligns strongly with the skill-based development paradigm that is gaining increasing importance today.

Minister Işıkhan also held bilateral talks with Anar Aliyev, Minister of Labour and Social Protection of the Population of Azerbaijan, as part of his contacts.

During the meeting, Işıkhan pointed out that relations between the ministries of the two countries are getting stronger every day based on the motto “One nation, two states,” and said, “The 12th Joint Permanent Commission Meeting we held in Ankara last September and the 2026–2027 Action Plan we signed are concrete examples of our cooperation. The TDT Ministers’ Declaration, which we signed in Baku on December 5, 2025, has been a historic turning point for the Turkic World. Under the guidance of the Turkic World 2040 Vision, we will resolutely continue our efforts to protect our citizens’ pension rights, facilitate workforce mobility, and establish a common qualifications framework”.