Opportunities under intellectual capitalism

ISTANBUL

Marmara Group Foundation President Akkan Suver (R) is seen as he welcomes Emil Constantinescu, the former president of Romania, in Istanbul.

Marmara Foundation President  Akkan Suver says the value of human and power of shaping the future is increasing. Here’s a an interview with Suver:

What is the focus of this year’s 18th Eurasian Economic Summit? What do you want to say for the main theme of this year? You evaluate the era that we are experiencing “the era of intellectual capitalism.” How do you explain this?

Today, the importance of qualified manpower which will shape the future comes privileged. In the past, people couldn’t reach the information as quickly as today. With globalization, the speed of information has also increased. The opportunities have multiplied. With increased competition, the possibilities have also increased. The passing between countries and between businesses has become faster.

In the past, having goods and capital were important, and day by day the value of humans and power in shaping the future is increasing. In the calculations for the next 20 years, it is said that commerce capitalism [will come to an] end and that “perfect capitalism,” which stands on intellectual capital … could benefit the most. It is expected that nations will win who can understand intellectual capitalism truly and can imagine. Therefore, as the Marmara Group Foundation, we specify the main theme as “Intellectual Capitalism” for this year.

As it happens, within every Eurasian Economic Summit, we will discuss in detail about the economy, energy and communication technologies. Also, we will open a debate about the disease of our time, impatience and terror. Statesmen also have a voice. Also in our summit we will revive the Silk Road. We will discuss the relationship between the economy and democracy with the paradigm with inequality. We will also discuss the “Road to Peace.” And we will be the first to gather Macedonian, Montenegrin, Bosnian and Belarusian officials with Turkish businessmen at the 18th Summit.

One of the main themes of the summit is the economy. You called it a “Network Economy.” How you will emphasize the importance at the 18th Summit?

The network economy has completely changed the financial system. Decision makers have to move with vision-based true strategies in a globalized world. Because the financial system of today is nothing with the past. Today, people are not visiting bank branches even once a year.

Besides, there are rapid deepening international capital markets and as a result of this, the local banking system has made a huge transition.

The possibilities of the economic system and the vision will be the main issue of the 18th Eurasian Economic Summit.

We all know that the Marmara Group Foundation always give priority to energy issue so how you will evaluate the issue of energy?

The relationship between change and the new economic order of energy value are increasingly important day by day.

The new world order needs more ecological and environmental resources to welcome basic human needs.

One of the main issues of 18th Eurasian Economic Summit will discuss in detail are the ongoing projects TANAP and TAP, which are the projects of our era in our close region; energy security issues; energy export issues; ecological energy production in harmony with the environment; and the period of cheap energy, which is coming to an end.

The eastern Mediterranean is becoming a new international draw and place of value perception because of its newly found gas resources, and this has triggered new political developments.
Also at the 18th Eurasian Economic Summit, issues and ideas about the future of petroleum, natural gas resources and electric investments in Europe, Turkey and the Middle East, renewable energy sources like the sun, wind and geothermal, as well as the efficiency of thermal plants, [will be discussed].

I want to speak about the session of the presidents. Under the title of “Road to Peace,” the “Where does Humanity Go?” session also includes current presidents. Could you please give us more information? Who do you expect to attend this session?

As you see, new-generation politicians don’t have real experience with wars, therefore mistakes could be made that could draw us into World War III.  Among many occurrences that we are witnessing today are:

•    Boko Haram attacks in Africa,
•    ISIS violence in the Middle East,
•    Islamophobia and xenophobia in Europe,
•    Conflict between police and civilians in America,
•    The Russia challenge in Eastern Europe,
•    The antiquated structure of North Korea.

Which solutions and proposals might there be for these big problems that threaten humanity?

Based upon the statement of Kemal Atatürk; “Peace at home, peace in the world,” we will seek a road to peace by bringing up the services of clergymen, the contributions of statesmen, the wisdom of academics and the intuitions of women. In addition to that, we will underline the importance of dialogue by knowing that the solution in this regard cannot be achieved without dialogue.

In this session, the President of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, H.E. Marinko Cavara; the President of Montenegro, H.E. Filip Vujanovic; the President of Macedonia, H.E. Gjorge Ivanov; as well as the former Presidents of Bulgaria, H.E. Petar Stopyanov; the Czech Republic, H.E. Vaclav Klaus; Estonia, H.E. Arnold Rüütel; Mongolia, H.E. Punsaalma Ochirbat; Moldova, H.E. Petru Lucinsky; Serbia, H.E. Boris Tadic; Slovenia, H.E. Danilo Türk; Latvia, H.E. Valdis Zatlers; Romania, H.E. Emil Constantinescu and H.E. Ion Ilıescu, will take the floor.

One of your important plans is to bring into question the relationship between the economy and democracy with inequality at the 18th Eurasian Economic Summit. How do you explain this?

As you all know, today, for countries, mere economic progress is not sufficient for their development. The essential thing is together with the economy, the improvement of democracy, the protection of human rights and providing sociocultural progress with social equality, as well as peace and security.

On Wednesday, April 8, 2015, during the 18th Eurasian Economic Summit to be held at the WOW Hotel Convention Center between 14.00 – 16.00, within the session “Economy and Democracy Relation – Social Inequality,” together with politicians, academics and lawyers who will participate from different countries and representatives from civil society organizations, we will be sharing our opinions and mutual ideas. At the end of this meeting, along with the regional experts, there will be an aim to create an area for the solution-oriented agenda.

Some of the topics to be mentioned during the meeting will be concerning the agendas of the United Nations over inequality, the European Council and the European Parliament, inequality over the distribution of income, inequality between men and women, inequality over rights and freedom, inequality of justice, inequality inside social life [in the media and in politics], inequality over education and what type of future we are eager to follow in 2015, et cetera.

You brought into question the issue of the Silk Road in previous years with various events. Will you also focus on the Silk Road at the 18th Eurasian Economic Summit?

We attach great importance to the reconstruction of the Silk Road, agreeing on its philosophy and believing that the Silk Road is not only a project that builds commercial relations but also creates positive effects on friendship between countries within history.
         
The Silk Road will connect the Pacific Ocean with the Baltic Sea. The Silk Road will connect the Gulf of Basra with the Indian Ocean. Within these connections, new investments will be easier to conduct and they will be more efficient. Consequently, the number of new areas of cooperation between countries will increase.

The Silk Road will open doors to set up a line of trade and peace that promotes the good relations between neighboring countries. Win-win, equality, trust, sharing experiences, tolerance and profit are the characteristics of the Silk Road.          

With an accumulated population of 3 billion, the Silk Road has a huge and unique potential to reconstruct cultural relations between Europe and Asia. This relations will strengthen sociocultural ties as well.

We will revive the Maritime and Land Silk Road topics with experts during the 18th Eurasian Economic Summit.

For 18 years, in addition to lots of gains, you also have had some losses. What do you want to say about the loss of two important members in 2014?

We lost the former President of Bulgaria, H.E. Zhelyu Zhelev, who is one of the senior participants of the Eurasian Economic Summit, and Associated Professor Vagıf Kasımov. President Zhelev was a modest person. He moved the Marmara Group Foundation to the Balkan Political Club, which he was the head of. We remember him with respects.

Another great loss is that of Mr. Kasımov; he is another participant of our Foundation as a constructive character in Turkey-Azerbaijan relations. He had a role and place at the Eurasian Economic Summits. I will commemorate him here as a duty.