Central Asia Monitoring Desk Islamabad
The Leaders at the informal summit of the Organization of Turkic States convened in Turkistan, Kazakhstan reaffirmed their shared commitment to further deepening solidarity, mutual trust and strategic cooperation within the Turkic World in line with the objectives of the Turkic World Vision-2040.
Held under the theme “Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development,” the Summit focused on strengthening cooperation among the Member and Observer States in the fields of digital transformation, innovation, artificial intelligence, connectivity, and sustainable economic development.
Hosted by the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, H.E. Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, the Informal Summit of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) was held on 15 May 2026 in Turkistan, the spiritual capital of the Turkic World, under the theme “Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development”.
The Summit gathered the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, H.E. Ilham Aliyev; the President of the Kyrgyz Republic, H.E. Sadyr Zhaparov; the President of the Republic of Türkiye, H.E. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan; the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, H.E. Shavkat Mirziyoyev; the President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, H.E. Tufan Erhürman; and the Secretary General of the OTS, H.E. Ambassador Kubanychbek Omuraliev.
The Chairman and Members of the Council of Elders of the OTS, as well as the Heads of the Turkic Cooperation Organizations, were also in attendance.
Key Decisions Adopted at the Turkistan Informal Summit
Documents signed by the Heads of State and the Foreign Ministers included:
· Turkistan Declaration of the Organization of Turkic States;
· Decision on Strengthening Institutional and Digital Capacity of the Secretariat of the Organization of Turkic States;
· Decision on Appointment of the Deputy Secretary General of the OTS.
In his address, Secretary General H.E. Ambassador Kubanychbek Omuraliev highlighted the growing role of the OTS as a platform for regional cooperation across a broad range of strategic sectors, including digitalization, transport, trade, energy, tourism, education, and emerging technologies.
He underlined the importance of enhancing institutional coordination and advancing joint digital initiatives to ensure sustainable growth and greater regional integration across the Turkic World.
The Leaders emphasized the importance of promoting cooperation in the fields of artificial intelligence, digital governance, smart infrastructure and innovation ecosystems, while encouraging stronger collaboration among the relevant institutions and stakeholders of the Member and Observer States.
On the occasion of the Summit, the Leaders launched the “Center of Turkic Civilization” aimed at creating an international-level multifunctional cultural, scientific and tourist center that unites the historical, cultural and spiritual heritage of the Turkic world in a single space.
The Summit also reaffirmed the strategic importance of Turkistan as the spiritual capital of the Turkic World and highlighted its symbolic role in fostering common identity, cultural heritage and unity among Turkic nations.
Following the Summit, H.E. Ambassador Kubanychbek Omuraliev, Secretary General of the OTS, delivered a press statement outlining the main outcomes and key decisions adopted during the Informal Summit.
On the occasion of the Summit, the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, H.E. Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, hosted an official reception in honor of the Heads of State and Government of the Organization of Turkic States.
