News

Within the framework of the XV International Conference on Applied Economics and Finance hosted by Kyrgyz-Turkish Manas University, academicians and researchers from 17 countries discussed current developments in economics and finance from multiple perspectives. Lasting for two days, the conference was successfully completed with 14 academic sessions and 3 workshops, providing participants with a comprehensive platform for scientific exchange.

A New Artificial Intelligence-Based Forecasting Model for Oil Prices by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Onur Polat

The invited speaker of the conference, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Onur Polat from Hacettepe University delivered a presentation titled “Artificial Intelligence-Based Forecasting Hierarchy: Decomposing Fundamental and Speculative Factors in WTI Crude Oil Volatility.”

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Polat stated that while the traditional approach to oil price formation focuses on supply-demand dynamics and global shocks, the financialization hypothesis emphasizes speculative transactions and investor behavior. Highlighting the increase in financial interactions following the 2008 global financial crisis, he noted that this transformation has not yet been sufficiently explained in the existing literature. He added that the method they developed aims to provide stronger forecasts for oil prices by jointly analyzing macroeconomic fundamentals and market behavior.

Dr. Hüsnü Tekin: ECO Strengthens Regional Integration in Sustainable Development

Another invited speaker of the conference, Dr. Hüsnü Tekin, Director of Human Resources and Sustainable Development at the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO), delivered a presentation titled “The Role of Regional Organizations in Promoting Sustainable Development: Lessons from the Economic Cooperation Organization.”

Addressing the structure of ECO and the ECO Region, Dr. Tekin stated that the organization was founded in 1964 by Türkiye, Iran, and Pakistan, and expanded in 1992 with the participation of Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan. He emphasized that ECO’s main objectives are to strengthen regional cooperation, support sustainable economic growth, and enhance integration in areas such as trade, energy, transportation, agriculture, and the environment. He also highlighted the importance of cooperation in disaster risk reduction, water management, the green economy, and social sectors.

Dr. Tekin also stated that within the framework of the ECO Vision 2025 and 2035 goals, efforts are being carried out in areas such as combating climate change, renewable energy, green transformation, and disaster risk reduction. He noted that the forums to be held in Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan in 2025, together with the ECO Sustainable Development Action Plan, would contribute significantly to this process.

Multidimensional Economics and Finance Sessions Drew Great Interest at the Conference

The sessions organized within the scope of the XV International Conference on Applied Economics and Finance addressed current academic studies on a wide range of topics, from global economic transformations to regional development issues. The sessions, attended by expert researchers and young scientists, attracted attention with their theoretical and empirical contributions.

New Approaches in Financial Systems and Banking

During the sessions, the perceived quality of mobile banking applications was examined within the framework of the MS-QUAL model, while the effects of digital financial services on user experience were discussed. Islamic finance, financialization, and the financing of firm growth were analyzed through a theoretical approach based on dynamic optimization.

Energy, Markets, and Macroeconomic Dynamics

Empirical studies on time-series demand forecasting in Türkiye’s electricity market demonstrated the importance of forecasting models in energy planning. The relationship between oil prices and the BIST100 index was evaluated using an asymmetric analysis method by considering both the pre-pandemic and post-pandemic periods.

Sustainability, Climate, and Just Transition

The process of just transition was discussed in the context of sustainability and the right of indigenous peoples to self-determination, while climate shocks, the pandemic, and debt spirals were evaluated through micro-level data specific to transition economies.

Regional Economy and Political Dynamics

The entry of Russian firms into the Kazakh market and labor market dynamics were examined, while market and democracy preferences in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan were evaluated from a comparative political economy perspective.

Country-Focused Studies by Young Researchers

In the papers presented by young researchers, issues such as school education financing in the Kyrgyz Republic and its impact on educational quality, the financing of the healthcare system, existing challenges, and improvement proposals were discussed. In addition, the development of green finance in the country was evaluated within the framework of the current situation and future expectations.

Three Applied Workshops in Economics and Finance Were Held at the Conference

In the workshop titled “Islamic Economics and Finance: From Theory to Practice in Light of the Current Situation,” the current state of Islamic economics and finance was discussed, and the practical implications of the theoretical framework were evaluated. Participants exchanged views on the sector’s development dynamics and the structural challenges encountered.

In the workshop titled “Applied Volatility Forecasting Models with EViews,” volatility forecasting methods in financial markets were discussed, and practical modeling examples were shared with participants.

The workshop titled “Applied Machine Learning for Economics and Finance Researchers: Theoretical Foundations and Applications with Python” focused on the use of machine learning in economics and finance. In addition to the theoretical background, data analysis and modeling processes using Python were discussed.

New Dynamics of the Economy Were Discussed in Online Academic Sessions

Current global issues at the intersection of economics, finance, and artificial intelligence were discussed during the conference’s online sessions. Topics such as creativity and total factor productivity, financial development and inclusive economic transformation in East Africa, real effective exchange rate movements, and AI-based analyses of healthcare service satisfaction were evaluated.

The online sessions also addressed contemporary issues such as trust and policy design under asymmetric information conditions in the digital economy, artificial intelligence applications in investor protection agreements for environmental projects, and East Africa–China relations. These sessions provided participants with an interdisciplinary perspective and made a significant contribution to academic knowledge sharing.

Academic Contributions Evaluated at the Closing Session

At the closing session of the conference, it was emphasized that the papers presented both in person and online not only contributed to academic knowledge sharing but also served as an important guide for students and young researchers. It was stated that the conference provided a productive platform that strengthened scientific cooperation by bringing together academics and researchers from different countries, and that the successfully completed organization made significant contributions to current discussions in the field of economics and finance.