In recent years, global politics has undergone a profound transformation, where not only major powers but also regional alliances capable of independently shaping agendas and defending their interests have come to the forefront. In this context, the Turkic world is gaining increasingly prominent significance — a space united not only by shared historical and cultural roots but also by converging strategic interests, gradually becoming one of the active drivers of Eurasian dynamics.
The Organization of Turkic States (OTS), established in 2009 in Nakhchivan, has, over a decade and a half, evolved from a cultural forum into a platform for strategic cooperation, bringing together the resources, economic initiatives, and cultural projects of its member states. Azerbaijan plays a particularly important role in this process. Following its victory in the Second Karabakh War, Baku has strengthened its international authority and transformed its military achievements into diplomatic and economic initiatives. Under Azerbaijan’s chairmanship, the OTS is gaining new momentum: from an organization with a primarily cultural mission, it is becoming a center for political coordination and strategic interaction.
The 12th OTS Summit, held in October 2025 in Gabala, showcased this transition. The forum’s slogan — “Regional Peace and Security” — symbolically reflects this new stage, at which the Turkic countries are seeking not only to reinforce unity but also to offer their own solutions in the areas of security, cybersecurity, infrastructure, and economic coordination. Hosting the summit, Azerbaijan confirmed its growing influence within the organization. Baku is pursuing a strategy that combines military, diplomatic, and economic successes: the country is moving beyond its role as an energy supplier, and its participation in the “Middle Corridor” project, linking Europe and Asia, positions it as a crucial node in Eurasia’s transport and logistics network. Thus, Baku is becoming a hub at the intersection of Eastern and Western interests, and the country’s proactive role gives the OTS a tangible geopolitical dimension.
Special attention at the summit was drawn to President Ilham Aliyev’s decision to allocate $2 million for the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Baku Turkology Congress of 1926 — one of the key events in the history of Turkic cultural consciousness. This move not only underscores historical continuity but also shapes Azerbaijan’s modern image as a cultural center of the Turkic world. Through support for humanitarian and scientific initiatives, Baku strengthens its soft power, creating a solid foundation for long-term cooperation among member states.
Ilham Aliyev’s address at the summit clearly outlined the priorities of the OTS’s new phase of development: moving from declarative interaction to practical integration. The President emphasized that the organization should not be merely a forum for discussions but a tangible instrument for ensuring regional stability, economic development, and coordinated responses to contemporary challenges. Azerbaijan is shaping a strategic space where political initiative, transport connectivity, and cultural unity become elements of a unified geopolitical framework. This approach allows Baku to gradually establish itself as a coordinator — not only within the Turkic world but also across the broader Eurasian arena.
The initiative to hold joint military exercises of the Turkic world’s countries on Azerbaijani territory in 2026 is a logical continuation of this strategy. If these exercises become regular, they will enable the interoperability of the armed forces of member states, the development of common doctrines, and the standardization of equipment, significantly enhancing regional security. This move reflects the aspiration to create an independent channel of security cooperation, separate from existing international blocs such as NATO or the CSTO. Azerbaijan’s selection as the host is deliberate: following the modernization of its armed forces and its victory in Karabakh, the country has established itself as a regional center for military training. Previously, Baku successfully conducted joint exercises with Turkey, Uzbekistan, Georgia, and Pakistan, demonstrating the country’s readiness for multilateral coordination.
Economic integration remains a key direction in the development of the OTS, and in this context, the development of the transport network is a priority, providing an efficient logistical link between member states and laying the foundation for deeper mutual trade and economic cooperation. Azerbaijan, with its modern port in Alat, the Baku–Tbilisi–Kars (BTK) railway, and a developed air transport system, serves as a vital hub connecting Europe and Asia. The commissioning of the Zangezur Corridor further strengthens this role, opening additional routes and promoting deeper economic interaction. Similar initiatives, such as the China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan railway, reinforce transport connectivity in Central Asia. In the future, the region’s transport and energy routes could form the foundation for the creation of a “Greater Turkic Economic Space”, where OTS countries are more interdependent and integrated. This would enhance economic resilience and strengthen political relations while reducing the influence of external factors.
The development of the energy sector is also a strategic priority, directly impacting economic resilience, regional security, and supply diversification opportunities. Of importance is not only the traditional oil and gas potential but also the active adoption of renewable energy sources. Azerbaijan already exports oil and gas to 14 countries and plans to increase the share of green energy to 40% by 2030. The creation of a “Green Energy Corridor” connecting Central Asia – Azerbaijan – Turkey – Europe not only strengthens the region’s energy security but also opens new avenues for export diversification, consolidating Azerbaijan’s role as a strategic center of energy integration within the OTS framework.
At the 2025 summit, member states presented a series of initiatives in the economic, digital, and cultural spheres. Kyrgyzstan’s President Sadyr Japarov proposed a roadmap for cooperation in trade, investment, and finance, including mutual recognition of electronic signatures, which provides a legal framework for the exchange of digital documents and establishes a unified digital space for the Turkic world. Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev focused on a long-term strategy up to 2030 aimed at strengthening multilateral cooperation and aligning economic policies. Among the proposals were the creation of a Council for Economic Cooperation, an industrial alliance of Turkic states, a “Turkic Green Corridors” system, and the “Green Transformation” consortium, promotion of organic agriculture, and the development of a unified brand for Turkic organic products on international markets.
The economic context underscores the relevance of such initiatives. In 2024, the combined GDP of the member states exceeded $2.1 trillion, with a total trade turnover of $1.1 trillion. In the same year, intra-member trade amounted to $85 billion. Just a few years ago, the share of internal trade in total turnover was 3%, whereas today this figure has reached 7%. This growth lays the foundation for future integration and highlights the necessity of implementing structural and institutional mechanisms aimed at stimulating internal trade, thereby unlocking the potential of a unified Turkic world market.
Cultural integration has received a significant impetus: the adoption of a common Turkic alphabet of 34 letters paves the way for its introduction into national educational systems, strengthening a shared cultural identity and preserving heritage for future generations. Earlier, in September 2024, at a session of the Commission on the Common Turkic Alphabet in Baku, a Latin-based alphabet was approved, developed in line with modern technologies and international standards. This alphabet has become the basis for script reforms in several Turkic countries, including Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.
Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev proposed two complementary initiatives reflecting the OTS’s practical orientation and its capacity to independently shape a cooperative framework. On one hand, he put forward the creation of a Cybersecurity Council, underscoring the organization’s readiness to respond to the challenges of global digital transformation. Given current geopolitical challenges, such as the conflict in Ukraine and instability in the Middle East, Turkic states are demonstrating their determination to independently shape a security architecture in Eurasia that takes into account regional interests and promotes stability.
On the other hand, Tokayev proposed organizing a special event in Kazakhstan with the participation of intellectuals and experts from OTS member states, creating a platform for exchanging experience, discussing pressing cultural, educational, and scientific issues, and developing joint strategies to strengthen Turkic cultural identity and integration. Together, these initiatives contribute to the development of both the technological and the cultural-educational dimensions of cooperation within the OTS.
In addition to these initiatives, Kazakhstan’s Foreign Minister, Yerlan Kosherbayev, called for an accelerated launch of the Turkic Investment Fund, highlighting the country’s focus on the economic dimension of cooperation and the strengthening of financial integration among member states. Collectively, these measures promote the comprehensive development of technological, cultural-educational, and economic aspects of OTS cooperation.
The speeches of other state leaders reaffirmed a common commitment to peace, stability, and economic cooperation. Presidents of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan in particular emphasized the significance of signing a Joint Declaration between Azerbaijan and Armenia, seeing it as an opportunity to permanently resolve the long-standing conflict and move toward mutually beneficial cooperation.
In the sphere of cultural and humanitarian integration, OTS member and observer states are actively participating in the reconstruction of Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur. Turkmenistan has built a mosque in Fizuli, Uzbekistan a school named after Mirzo Ulugbek, Kazakhstan a Children’s Creativity Center named after Kurmangazy, Kyrgyzstan a school named after Manas in Aghdam, and Hungary a school in Jabrayil. Turkish companies are involved in the construction of tunnels, bridges, and roads, creating a tangible material and cultural foundation for integration.
The main advantage of the OTS lies in its independent position, not tied to any major power. Turkey is a NATO member, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan are members of the CSTO, Azerbaijan pursues an independent policy, and Uzbekistan balances its positions. This diversity allows the organization to remain outside the framework of ideological bloc politics, forming its own strategic course. The “Middle Corridor” embodies a balancing strategy that complements China’s Belt and Road Initiative rather than replacing it.
Within the framework of the 12th Summit of the Organization of Turkic States, a decision was signed to initiate the “OTS+” format. However, expanding the organization requires a cautious approach to preserve the effectiveness of decision-making and strategic coherence among member states. Hungary’s observer status opens a window to Europe and enhances the organization’s legitimacy, while full membership for Turkmenistan would allow integration of the Caspian region. The OTS+ format, with partner dialogues including Tajikistan, Mongolia, and Afghanistan, broadens areas of cooperation without the need for full integration. Quality, rather than quantity, should be the organization’s priority. Each new member complicates and slows down the decision-making process, introducing its own strategic interests. Deepening economic integration among the current five members, developing common defense doctrines, and taking steps toward a customs union are far more valuable than an expanded but inefficient structure. Lessons from the early expansion of the EU indicate that it is essential to strengthen the core first before expanding.
The EU experience also shows that the existence of an expert body capable of transforming political decisions by leaders into concrete action plans and monitoring their implementation is a prerequisite for deeper integration. The OTS Secretariat in Istanbul can be developed in this direction.
Given current trends, it can be forecasted that under Azerbaijan’s chairmanship the OTS will reach a new level of cooperation. Programs in the fields of security, economy, transport, and culture will be expanded. Regular joint military exercises will enhance the region’s defense capabilities. Economic integration through joint investment funds and infrastructure projects will contribute to the growth of member states’ GDP and attract external investments. The success of implementing these ambitious plans will depend on the organization’s ability to maintain unity amid global challenges, such as instability in neighboring regions, the impact of global economic crises, and technological changes. In this context, the continuation of active dialogue and coordination on the international stage becomes crucial.
Tamilla Mammadova is a journalist and analyst in the field of international politics and economics with 10 years of professional experience. She specializes in covering Azerbaijan’s foreign economic relations, international energy policy, and cooperation with the EU countries, Turkey, the Persian Gulf states, and the South Caucasus region. She is an invited expert at the STEM analytical center, where she prepares interviews with leading international experts. At the same time, she works at the Azerbaijan State News Agency (AZERTAC) as Head of the Society Department.
