Bishkek (TDI): Kyrgyzstan hosted the 11th Summit of the Council of Heads of State of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) on Wednesday, chaired by President Sadyr Japarov and themed “Empowering the Turkic World: Economic Integration, Sustainable Development, Digital Future, and Security for All.”
The summit brought together prominent leaders, including Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev, Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who attended as an observer.
The OTS chairmanship formally transitioned from Kazakhstan to Kyrgyzstan, with President Tokayev reflecting on Kazakhstan’s tenure, themed “TURKTIME!,” which focused on fostering unity among Turkic states and expanding cooperation.
Tokayev highlighted strengthened economic ties within the OTS, with trade volumes surpassing $45 billion in 2024, and stressed the strategic importance of the Middle Corridor for bolstering transport and logistics across the region.
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In his inaugural address as chairman, President Japarov emphasized Kyrgyzstan’s commitment to advancing economic integration, sustainable development, digital transformation, and regional security.
Japarov outlined plans for intergovernmental agreements on services, digital trade, intellectual property, technology, and tourism, alongside a proposed Agreement on Partnership in the Field of Digital Economy aimed at enhancing digital trade between member states.
Climate Change Emerges as Focal Point
Climate change emerged as a focal point, with Japarov highlighting the shrinking of Kyrgyzstan’s glaciers by 16% over the past 70 years.
He stressed the urgency of environmental cooperation to combat glacier melt, which threatens drinking water supplies in Central Asia, and proposed joint initiatives on renewable energy, forest restoration, and resource-efficient technologies.
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President Erdoğan underscored Turkiye’s commitment to the OTS, stating, “The decisions we make today will show the world the unity and resolve of the Turkic world.”
He pledged to work towards making this “the Century of the Turkic World,” building on shared ambitions outlined in the Turkic World Vision 2040.
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