The 5th International Administrative Law and Administrative Judiciary Symposium (ISALAJ) at BAUN Commenced with the Honorary Presence of the President of the Council of State, Mr. Zeki Yiğit

Hosted by Balıkesir University (BAUN), the 5th International Symposium on Administrative Law and Administrative Jurisdiction (ISALAJ-2025) was inaugurated with the theme “Agricultural Activities and the Protection of the Natural Environment as a Strategic Field in Administrative Law” at the Malazgirt Conference Hall of BAUN Atatürk Congress and Culture Center, with the honorary presence of the President of the Council of State, Mr. Zeki Yiğit.

The symposium is jointly organized by Balıkesir University and the Istanbul University Faculty of Law Ord. Prof. Dr. Sıddık Sami Onar Administrative Law and Administrative Sciences Research and Application Center, in cooperation with Gulistan State University, Tashkent State University, Tashkent University of Economics, Tashkent State University of Law, Baku State University Faculty of Law, Azerbaijan State Customs Committee Academy, Alfraganus University, Bukhara State University, L.N. Gumilev Eurasian National University, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Kazakh National Agrarian University, Abay Kazakh National Pedagogical University, KH. Dosmukhamedov Atyrau University, International Vision University, and the Academy of the Bar Association of the Republic of Azerbaijan, with the sponsorship of Bigadiç Municipality and Filiz Publishing House. The event brings together leading scholars, young academics, and practitioners from Turkey and abroad.

High-Level Participation

The opening program, held on 24–26 April 2025, was attended by the President of the Council of State Mr. Zeki Yiğit, Governor of Balıkesir Mr. İsmail Ustaoğlu, Gendarmerie Regional Commander Major General Nurettin Alkan, Chief Public Prosecutor of Balıkesir Mr. Abdulkadir Akın, Presidents of the 1st and 2nd Administrative Courts of Balıkesir Mr. Feyzullah Ertan and Mr. İsmail Furkan Erkeçoğlu, Rector of Balıkesir University Prof. Dr. Yücel Oğurlu, Rector of the Academy of the Bar Association of the Republic of Azerbaijan Mr. Amir Aliyev, Rector of Bandırma Onyedi Eylül University Prof. Dr. İsmail Boz, President of the Balıkesir Bar Association Mr. Hakan Topaloğlu, District Governor of Altıeylül Mr. Turgay Hakan Bilgin, District Governer of Karesi Mr. Metin Arslanbaş, Chief of Balıkesir Police Mr. Hasan Yiğit, Mayor of Bigadiç Mr. Mustafa Göksel, Mayor of Altıeylül Mr. Hakan Şehirli, BAUN Vice Rectors Prof. Dr. Cevdet Avcıkurt, Prof. Dr. Murat Doğdubay and Prof. Dr. Fatih Satıl,  Senate members, Secretary General Yemliha Yanar, members of the judiciary, academic and administrative staff, and students.

Following the national anthem and a moment of silence, the opening speeches were delivered. Prof. Dr. Aydın Gülan, Director of the Istanbul University Faculty of Law Ord. Prof. Dr. Sıddık Sami Onar Administrative Law and Administrative Sciences Research and Application Center, highlighted the growing importance of producing ideas in the field of social sciences, emphasizing the value of bringing together academics from different countries to exchange perspectives and develop original thoughts.

Prof. Dr. Lyudmila Bukalerova, Vice Rector of the Russian Academy of Advocacy and Notaries, and Mr. Amir Aliyev, Rector of the Academy of the Bar Association of the Republic of Azerbaijan, also expressed their honor to participate and extended their wishes for a successful symposium.

Rector of Balıkesir University Prof. Dr. Yücel Oğurlu emphasized the significance of hosting the 5th symposium with the participation of the President of the Council of State, distinguished protocol members, and esteemed scholars in the field. He underlined the importance of the symposium in the past five years and noted that the university aims to expand the scope of the symposium to Eurasia and Europe in 2026. Rector Oğurlu also extended his gratitude to the organizing committee and the sponsors.

Governor of Balıkesir Mr. İsmail Ustaoğlu stressed the necessity of identifying and eliminating harmful practices in order to protect agricultural activities and the natural environment, underlining the indispensable role of legal measures and sanctions. He highlighted the importance of the symposium’s theme in this regard.

In his address, President of the Council of State Mr. Zeki Yiğit elaborated on administrative activities within the framework of relevant laws and regulations, emphasizing that the Council of State ensures the effective implementation of the rule of law by producing consistent and qualified jurisprudence, particularly in matters concerning fundamental rights and freedoms. He further noted that the Council of State plays a key role in reviewing the legality of administrative acts and measures related to agriculture and the environment. Concluding his speech, he wished the symposium every success.

The opening program concluded with a keynote speech by Prof. Dr. Oswald Jansen from American University Washington College of Law on “The System of EU Administrative Law Enforcement and the Regulation of Agriculture”, followed by a group photo session.

Over the course of three days, the symposium will feature academic sessions both on-site at the BAUN Atatürk Congress and Culture Center and online, as well as social events in Balıkesir.

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