BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 27. President Ilham
Aliyev’s personal commitment to idea of Turkic unity provides solid
foundation for further consolidation of cooperation, Secretary
General of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) Kubanychbek
Omuraliyev said in an exclusive interview with Trend.
He highlighted high expectations from Azerbaijan’s OTS
chairmanship.
“With the conclusion of the Gabala Summit, the Chairmanship of
the OTS officially passed from Kyrgyzstan to Azerbaijan, marking a
new chapter for the Organization. Expectations are high, reflecting
Azerbaijan’s strategic location, political leadership, and economic
capacity, which uniquely position it to guide the OTS toward deeper
cooperation, development, and international visibility. As
suggested by the very theme of the Summit, Azerbaijan’s
Chairmanship is expected to place particular emphasis on security
and stability in the region,” said Omuraliyev.
The OTS secretary general pointed out that the liberation of
Azerbaijani territories and the recent Washington Agreements with
Armenia have laid the groundwork for lasting peace in the South
Caucasus.
“In recent years, security cooperation has become a key priority
for the OTS, driven by global and regional challenges, shifting
geopolitical dynamics, and evolving security developments within
Member States. The Turkic World Vision 2040 and OTS Strategy
2022–2026 highlight the importance of closer collaboration on
political and security matters. To support these objectives, the
OTS has established key mechanisms such as regular multilateral
political deliberations in the form of meetings of the Heads of
Government/Vice President, Foreign Ministers, Assistants/Advisors
to the Presidents in Foreign Policy, and the Deputy Ministers for
consultation and coordination in case of emerging issues that would
affect the common interests and concerns of the OTS countries to
form a consolidated OTS position with a shared strategic vision,”
he said.
Omuraliyev noted that similarly, meetings among the National
Security Councils, Defence Industry Institutions, and the Special
Services have been regularly convened to allow the Member States
hold consultations on the regional and global security developments
to devise policies of the OTS countries to the security
sensitivities taking place in their surroundings.
“In this vein, the will of the Turkic States to strengthen their
existing security cooperation and coordination was reflected in the
Gabala Declaration. The speeches of the Heads of State at the
Summit also underscored the determination of the Turkic countries
to adjust to the new international security environment with a
collective stance. The Leaders emphasized the urgency of
coordinated action to address emerging threats to peace and
security, including humanitarian crises, and recognizing the need
for enhanced strategic foresight and joint initiatives.
President Ilham Aliyev’s remark on the importance of unification
of the Turkic States as a single centre of power and consolidation
of cooperation among them in military and defence-technical fields
at a time when the norms and principles of international law are
being gravely violated is poised to guide the future course of
action in the Organization especially during their chairmanship.
His proposal on holding joint military exercises for the OTS Member
States in Azerbaijan in 2026 is a testament to this fact,” the OTS
secretary general said.
Omuraliyev noted that building upon the outcomes of the
inaugural meeting of the Heads of Defence Industry Institutions of
the OTS Member States held on 23 July 2025 in Istanbul, the
Azerbaijani chairmanship will host the 2nd edition of the Defence
Industry Institutions meeting in Baku in 2026 with the purpose of
intensifying cooperation in the very field. Furthermore, as he
said, the 5th Meeting of the Secretaries of the Security Councils
of the OTS Member States will be convened in Azerbaijan in
2026.
“Uzbekistan’s proposal of holding regular joint meetings of
Foreign Ministers and Heads of Special Services of the OTS to
conduct an in-depth analysis of the global situation and make the
necessary decisions as well as Kyrgyzstan’s initiative to develop
and Agreement on a mechanism for joint action to address new
security challenges and threats to increase the effectiveness of
cooperation among our competent authorities in combating terrorism,
extremism, transnational crime, cyber threats and other existing
risks are new bold steps to build up an OTS security ecosystem.
We also expect that during Azerbaijan’s chairmanship, special
focus will be placed on expanding cooperation in key areas such as
the economy, transport, energy, and many more. Building on this
foundation, Azerbaijan’s Chairmanship will, throughout 2026,
oversee a series of initiatives aimed at deepening ties among
member states and fostering broader cooperation beyond the Turkic
world. The strong political will of President of the Republic of
Azerbaijan and his personal commitment to the idea of Turkic unity,
provides a solid foundation for further consolidation,” the OTS
secretary general said.
Omuraliyev recalled that speaking about the OTS during his
inauguration on 14 February 2024, President Ilham Aliyev
underlined: “This is the main international organization for us,
because it is our family. We have no other family. Our family is
the Turkic world.”
“His words vividly reflect Azerbaijan’s determination to
strengthen the OTS and elevate it as an influential force on the
world stage. In that respect, Azerbaijan will see a flagship
initiative during its chairmanship. In order to duly celebrate the
100th anniversary of the Baku Turkology Congress of 1926 and one of
its landmark decisions – the adoption of a common Latin-based
alphabet for the Turkic languages, which was a momentous milestone
in the cultural history of the Turkic peoples, a grandiose
celebration will be solemnly organized in coordination with the
Turkic States and the Turkic Cooperation Organizations within the
framework of the OTS,” he added.
Key takeaways from the Gabala summit
Omuraliyev noted that the 12th OTS Summit in Gabala, held under
the theme “Regional Peace and Security,” came at a pivotal moment,
particularly following Azerbaijan’s restoration of sovereignty and
territorial integrity and the initialing of the peace agreement
with Armenia.
“These milestones open a new chapter for stability and
prosperity in the South Caucasus and create a unique opportunity to
translate regional stability into concrete collaborative
initiatives, which the OTS is well-positioned to facilitate. The
Gabala Summit produced two major outcomes. The Gabala Declaration
established a clear roadmap of 121 points covering political
affairs, foreign policy, security, economic and sectoral
development, people-to-people ties, institutional coordination, and
engagement with external partners. In addition, the Heads of State
launched of the “OTS+” format – a flexible framework that will
expand dialogue with external partners, strengthening the Turkic
World’s international engagement.
This initiative complements our shared aspiration of the OTS for
observer status at the United Nations and the Organization of
Islamic Cooperation, marking another step toward deeper global
presence. The Gabala Declaration highlights the acceleration of
economic, connectivity, and technological initiatives, including
key projects such as the Zangazur and Middle Corridors, the Turkic
Investment Fund, and the planned 12U OTS-SAT Cube Satellite,” said
the OTS secretary general.
At the same time, he noted that the negotiations on the
Agreement on Services and Investment Facilitation will continue,
further deepening economic integration.
“The Leaders agreed to accelerate work on the Treaty on
Strategic Partnership, Eternal Friendship and Brotherhood of Turkic
States, which will institutionalize our political cooperation and
reinforce collective responsibility for regional peace.
Institutional and cultural cooperation was further strengthened.
Turkmenistan became an Observer in both the Turkic Academy and the
Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation, while measures to further
develop and strengthen TURKSOY were endorsed, expanding engagement
and reinforcing the cultural and institutional bonds of the Turkic
world.
Overall, the Summit not only reflected our achievements but also
set a forward-looking, proactive agenda. With the strong commitment
of our Heads of State, the OTS now coordinates multilateral
cooperation in over 40 areas, ranging from economic integration and
security to education and even space, demonstrating both the
deepening convergence of our Member States and the growing
international recognition of the Organization,” he added.
Turkic cooperation as a driver of the Middle Corridor’s
success
Omuraliyev pointed out that within the Turkic World Vision 2040,
the development of the Middle Corridor is defined as a strategic
priority — the shortest and safest route connecting East and West,
and a key driver for integrating Turkic countries into global
logistics networks.
“In this context, the Middle Corridor stands as a cornerstone of
regional integration and economic cooperation. It shortens transit
distances by 2,000 kilometers compared to the Northern Corridor and
enables goods to reach Europe from China in just 15 days — three
times faster than by sea. Realizing the full potential of this
route requires close coordination among Turkic states. Through
joint infrastructure projects — such as the
China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway, a major component of the
corridor — member states are significantly improving transit
efficiency and expanding capacity to 15 million tons annually.
Equally vital to the success of the Middle Corridor is the
modernization of customs and logistics processes,” he said.
The OTS secretary general noted that Azerbaijan and other member
states have been successfully implementing systems such as ePermit
(electronic transport permits), eCMR (electronic consignment
notes), and eTIR (electronic customs transit system), making
international shipments faster, simpler, and more transparent.
“The signing of a regional roadmap for full eTIR implementation
at the OTS Heads of Customs Meeting in Baku in January 2025 marked
a major milestone in this process, paving the way for more
efficient and secure trade flows across the region. Combined with
agreements from the 2022 Samarkand Summit on simplified customs
corridors and international freight transport, these efforts are
strengthening the Middle Corridor, making the Turkic states a model
of regional connectivity, efficiency, and resilience,” he
added.
The role of TRIPP (Zangazur Corridor) in bridging the
Turkic World
Omuraliyev believes that the implementation of the Zangazur
Corridor has the potential to become a game-changer for regional
connectivity.
“By establishing a 43- kilometer transit link between mainland
Azerbaijan and the Nakhchivan region, this route will create a
direct land connection across the South Caucasus, linking Central
Asia with Türkiye and further to European and global markets,” he
said.
The OTS secretary general noted that beyond its economic and
logistical impact, the TRIPP holds profound geopolitical
significance.
“It symbolizes the opening of a new chapter in the South
Caucasus, following the signing of the Joint Declaration and the
initialing of the Peace Agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia in
Washington in August 2025 — a historic step toward lasting peace,
stability, and prosperity in the region. Once operational, the
corridor will serve as a vital complement to the Middle Corridor
initiative promoted by the OTS. This will enhance trade efficiency,
reduce transit times, and strengthen logistics cooperation across
the Turkic region,” he explained.
The Organization of Turkic States as a strategic actor
in a changing global order
Omuraliyev noted that in this evolving landscape, the OTS
positions itself as a dynamic and forward-looking platform that
bridges regions, connects economies, and promotes stability across
a vast geographic space — from Central Asia and the Caucasus to
Anatolia and beyond.
“Guided by the Turkic World Vision 2040, the Organization will
continue to evolve from a regional cooperation framework into a
strategic bridge between continents, contributing to peace,
stability, and shared prosperity across Eurasia and beyond. We see
that the countries in our Organization have great potential, which
gives us unique opportunities to coordinate efforts and tackle
global challenges together. Our countries are already starting to
take common positions on key issues. This process will only grow
stronger, allowing us to present a more united front on important
global issues in the future,” he added.
Fostering Turkic Unity through economic and energy
collaboration
The secretary general pointed out that the OTS continues to make
significant strides in strengthening economic and energy
cooperation among its member states.
“Our region, strategically positioned at the crossroads of East
and West, North and South, with a population of around 170 million
people and covering 4.5 million square kilometers, offers vast
opportunities for enhanced trade and economic collaboration. In
2024, the combined GDP exceeded $2.1 trillion, with trade volumes
reaching $1.1 trillion. However, intra-OTS trade remains modest at
around 7% of total trade between member states—up from just 3% a
few years ago, highlighting significant room for growth. Azerbaijan
has actively strengthened economic ties within the OTS
framework.
In 2024 alone, its trade with member states reached nearly $7
billion, accounting for 14.5% of its total foreign trade, with
Türkiye and Kazakhstan as its primary partners. In the first seven
months of 2025, trade already totaled $4.41 billion. Key mechanisms
supporting these efforts include the Union of Turkic Chambers of
Commerce and Industry, which unites over 2 million companies and
fosters practical cooperation among entrepreneurs,” said
Omuraliyev.
He pointed out that equally important is the Turkic Investment
Fund, initiated by President Ilham Aliyev, which has grown from an
initial $500 million to $600 million with Hungary’s
participation.
“This fund supports mutual investments, stimulates innovation,
and develops entrepreneurship, particularly for SMEs. Direct
Azerbaijani investments in OTS member states have already exceeded
$20 billion, providing a solid foundation for joint projects and
deeper economic integration. Finally, the OTS has taken important
steps toward digital transformation. At the 11th Summit in Bishkek,
a Partnership Agreement on the Digital Economy was signed,
representing a major milestone toward seamless digital trade and
regional economic modernization. Energy remains a key priority, as
collectively the Turkic countries rank among the top three global
energy suppliers. Joint projects not only enhance energy security
but also provide a platform for the green transition. A notable
example is the strategic partnership in renewable energy between
Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan, which aims to create a
“Green Energy Bridge” along the Middle Corridor,” Omuraliyev
added.
In addition, as the OTS secretary general noted, Azerbaijan,
Georgia, Hungary, and Romania are advancing energy cooperation
through the “Green Corridor” initiative.
“At its core is an undersea high-voltage cable across the Black
Sea, connecting the South Caucasus to the EU’s energy system. This
project is designed to transmit several gigawatts of primarily wind
and solar energy—from Azerbaijan and Georgia—to Romania, with
subsequent integration into Hungary and the broader European
network.
Azerbaijan’s wind energy potential is particularly impressive,
estimated at 157 GW—far exceeding domestic needs and opening
opportunities for clean energy exports to Europe. In 2024, during
COP29 in Baku, SOCAR signed a memorandum of understanding with ACWA
Power (Saudi Arabia) and Masdar (UAE) to develop approximately 3.5
GW of offshore wind projects. Collectively, these initiatives
underscore the Turkic world’s commitment to strengthening energy
security, promoting sustainable development, and enhancing economic
integration, with Azerbaijan playing a central and proactive role
in driving these efforts forward,” he said.
Beyond economics and energy: New initiatives of the
Organization of Turkic States
Omuraliyev noted that beyond these core areas, the OTS has made
remarkable progress in education, tourism, sports, culture, and
international collaboration.
“In tourism, initiatives such as the Turkic Silk Road, Tabarruk
Ziyarat, and the Turkic World Tourism Capital program have
successfully promoted our shared heritage. Jalal-Abad, Kyrgyzstan,
was designated as the 2025 Turkic World Tourism Capital and hosted
a major International Tourism Forum that showcased regional
attractions and strengthened partnerships. Following this, Ankara
has been named the Turkic World Tourism Capital for 2026, and we
look forward to the initiatives that will highlight the city’s rich
cultural heritage and further promote tourism across the Turkic
World.
Winter tourism has also gained momentum with the Turkic Ski Cup
in Uzbekistan and the Turkic Ski Resorts Summit in Shahdag,
Azerbaijan. Projects like the Unified Ski Pass, Common Museum
Ticket, and Turk ID are simplifying travel across member states.
Youth engagement and sports initiatives are flourishing. Key
highlights include the III Turkic Universiade in Cholpon-Ata, the
launch of Almaty’s Youth Center of the Turkic World, the Third
Diaspora Youth Forum in Tashkent, and humanitarian initiatives such
as the Sports Volunteers Forum in Gabala and the Turkic Red Network
Volunteer Camp in Istanbul”, he said.
Noting that education remains central to integration efforts,
the OTS secretary general recalled that at the recent Summit, the
Leaders agreed to establish a Secretariat for Education
Initiatives, reorganize the Orkhun Exchange Program, and advance
the creation of the Turkic World Higher Education Area.
“Building on this progress, a key milestone was achieved at the
8th General Assembly of TURKUNIB, held in Tashkent on 15 October
2025, which concluded with the adoption of a concept paper on a
Permanent Secretariat and Program Fund for the Union of Turkic
Universities (TURKUNIB) and the Orkhun Exchange Program. The
Assembly also welcomed 62 new universities, bringing total
membership to 109 institutions. In line with the Gabala
Declaration, the OTS allocated USD 1 million to support the
expansion of the Orkhun Exchange Program and the establishment of
the Turkic World Higher Education Area. Hungary’s annual EUR 1
million contribution to the Scientific Research, Development, and
Innovation Fund will further strengthen academic collaboration
across the Turkic world,” he noted.
Omuraliyev further pointed out that cultural initiatives
continue to complement the organization’s educational efforts.
Omuraliyev believes that Turkish President Erdogan’s proposal at
the Gabala Summit to take steps toward a Common Turkic Alphabet
resonates strongly with OTS mission of cultural unity, especially
as we approach the 100th anniversary of the 1926 Baku Turkology
Congress, which first introduced the idea of a common Latin-based
alphabet for Turkic languages.
“Upcoming events — including the Third Cultural Forum of the
Turkic World in 2027, the celebration of Mahmud Kashgari’s 950th
anniversary, Kyrgyzstan’s hosting of the 6th World Nomad Games, and
Turkmenistan’s invitation to Ashgabat’s cultural jubilee — reaffirm
our commitment to preserving heritage, identity, and intercultural
collaboration. On the international front, the OTS has expanded
dialogue with major global and regional organizations, including UN
agencies (UNHabitat, WHO, FAO, UNIDO), as well as the OSCE, GCC,
OIC, ECO, ASEAN, OECD, and the African Union. Notable agreements
include an MoU with UN-Habitat on sustainable urban development and
a Joint Declaration with UNIDO on clean energy and green growth,”
he added.
Omuraliyev noted that the organization’s 2024– 2025 Action Plan
with WHO focuses on health security, emergency preparedness, and
regional well-being.
“In public diplomacy, in 2024 the OTS successfully organized
“Turkic Week” at the UN Office in Geneva, showcasing Turkic
cooperation on the global stage. Following its success,
preparations are now underway for the second edition of Turkic Week
in Vienna in 2025, further reinforcing the OTS’s role as a dynamic
and outward-looking international actor,” he said.
The OTS secretary general believes that a highlight of this year
was the “Cleantech Days 2025” in Istanbul, co-organized with UNIDO
and TÜBİTAK, bringing together governments and innovators to
promote clean technologies and support SMEs.
“This event reaffirmed the OTS’s role not only as a regional
organization but as a contributor to global sustainability
solutions. As we look ahead, the Organization of Turkic States
remains steadfast in its mission to advance unity, peace and
prosperity within the Turkic World. Under the Azerbaijani
Chairmanship, we will work to realize the priorities set forth at
the Gabala Summit — strengthening regional security, expanding
economic and transport connectivity, advancing energy cooperation,
and promoting cultural and humanitarian ties. Guided by the Turkic
World Vision 2040 and the strategic directions of our Heads of
State, the OTS will continue deepening cooperation in every field.
Our collective achievements demonstrate that when the Turkic States
act together, we not only strengthen our region but also contribute
meaningfully to global stability and growth,” he concluded.
