UPDATE - Members of Organization of Turkic States sign joint declaration at Ankara summit
- 13th OTS summit hosted by Turkish President Erdogan under theme 'Turkic Century: Unity in Language, Thought and Deed'
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- 13th OTS summit hosted by Turkish President Erdogan under theme 'Turkic Century: Unity in Language, Thought and Deed'
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By Anadolu staff
ANKARA (AA) - Leaders signed a joint declaration Friday at the 13th Heads of State Summit of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) in Ankara.
Hosted by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan under the theme "Turkic Century: Unity in Language, Thought and Deed," the gathering brought together leaders and officials from participating countries.
The declaration was signed following addresses by Erdogan and visiting heads of state and officials.
The Ankara Declaration, released after the summit at the Bestepe National Congress and Culture Center's Exhibition Hall, reaffirmed member states' determination to strengthen the OTS as an increasingly influential platform representing the shared vision of the Turkic world and contributing constructively to regional and international peace, stability and prosperity.
It said the summit reaffirmed a shared commitment to transforming growing solidarity across the Turkic world into lasting strategic cooperation and making the coming century an era of greater unity and prosperity.
It emphasized that unity, solidarity and common resilience among Turkic states had become increasingly important at a time when confidence in international cooperation was declining. The leaders reiterated their determination to build a more resilient, interconnected and globally influential Turkic world.
The declaration also recognized the valuable contributions of Hungary, Turkmenistan and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) to the OTS as observers, describing them as integral parts of the Turkic world.
- Political coordination, common foreign policy
The declaration encouraged the completion of the OTS Strategy for 2027-2031 as the next phase of the Turkic World Vision 2040 and welcomed progress on the draft Treaty on Strategic Partnership, Eternal Friendship and Brotherhood among Turkic States.
It urged mutual support among member states for candidacies in international organizations and stronger coordination on joint decisions and initiatives.
The leaders also supported regular meetings of the Council of Elders and welcomed the establishment of the Group of Turkic States at UNESCO.
The declaration urged member states' foreign ministers to maintain frequent contact to ensure timely consultations, closer coordination and joint action on regional and global developments of common interest.
- Cyprus, Gaza, Syria, Afghanistan
On Cyprus, the declaration stressed the need for a negotiated, mutually acceptable and sustainable settlement based on the realities on the island. It expressed support for efforts to secure the inherent equal rights of the Turkish Cypriot people, whom it described as "an integral part of the Turkic world."
Regarding the Gaza Strip, the declaration highlighted the need for full implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 2803 (2025) and the Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict to address the difficult humanitarian situation, establish security and stability and pave the way for recovery.
It also underlined the need for "a just and lasting solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the implementation of the two-state solution in accordance with relevant UN resolutions."
The leaders reaffirmed support for Syria's territorial integrity and unity, as well as its security, stability and reconstruction. They also pledged to continue efforts, including through the OTS Afghanistan Working Group, to contribute to peace, stability and sustainable development in Afghanistan.
- Security, defense cooperation
The declaration welcomed the outcomes of meetings of the secretaries of the member states' security councils and heads of defense industry institutions. It urged authorities to continue holding regular political and security consultations on regional and international issues of mutual interest.
The leaders reaffirmed their commitment to expanding multilateral cooperation in the defense industry.
They encouraged exploring the establishment of an OTS Defense Industry College program hosted by Türkiye to promote the exchange of information and experience, train qualified personnel, develop theoretical and practical expertise in the defense industry, and keep pace with technological advances.
The declaration also emphasized continued cooperation and coordination in combating terrorism, extremism, separatism, organized crime, drug trafficking, arms smuggling and cybercrime.
It encouraged the signing of an agreement on the establishment of a council for combating crime among OTS member states and observers. It also urged accelerating the signing of a memorandum of understanding on cybersecurity and consultations on establishing an OTS Cybersecurity Council.
The leaders reiterated their commitment to cooperation against racism, discrimination, xenophobia, Islamophobia, hate speech and disinformation. They also noted that the possibility of establishing an International Biological Security Agency based on the Biological Weapons Convention was being considered to strengthen international biosecurity.
- Economic, sectoral cooperation
The declaration welcomed growth in intra-regional trade and encouraged continued negotiations on a draft Agreement on the Facilitation of Services and Investments for Sustainable Development, aimed at deepening economic integration. It highlighted the critical role of the OTS Trade Facilitation Committee in optimizing customs procedures, removing technical barriers and reducing trade costs.
It also welcomed the outcomes of meetings of relevant institutional heads responsible for economy, competition, taxation, industry, financial intelligence and customs, while emphasizing the establishment of digital platforms and stronger cooperation on standardization.
The leaders highlighted the importance of sustainable mountain development and expressed expectations regarding the second Global Mountain Summit, Bishkek+25. They also stressed the importance of fast-track customs mechanisms and electronic document sharing for shipments of agricultural and food products.
The declaration underlined the strategic importance of the Trans-Caspian International East-West Middle Corridor, the Zangezur Corridor, the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan Railway and the Trans-Afghan Railway for regional connectivity and trade. It encouraged the preparation of an OTS Transport Corridors Strategy.
In transport, digital infrastructure and energy, the declaration supported cooperation agreements on developing the Middle Corridor, the creation of dedicated passenger lanes at airports, the Digital Silk Road initiative involving a fiber-optic cable line between Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan, and implementation of the e-CMR Memorandum of Understanding.
The member states also pledged to deepen cooperation on pipelines, green energy corridors, critical minerals, energy efficiency and the peaceful use of nuclear energy to strengthen energy security.
The declaration welcomed meetings among space agencies and digitalization initiatives. It also welcomed the completion of production of the 12U OTS-SAT CubeSat and the signing of the first Framework Agreement on Developing Cooperation Capacity in the Space Industry within the OTS. Kyrgyzstan was congratulated on launching its first national satellite.
The leaders highlighted the Digital Turkic World concept, TEKNOFEST, artificial intelligence governance and efforts to protect intellectual property rights. They also welcomed the outcomes of Azerbaijan's COP29 presidency.
- Environment, climate change, urban development
On the environment, climate change and urban development, the declaration supported Türkiye's hosting COP31 and its identified priorities. It welcomed the International Day of Greening the Planet, proclaimed at the UN, and the partnership between the OTS and the Islamic Organization for Food Security.
The leaders encouraged practical steps to implement the Memorandum of Understanding on Urban and Spatial Planning signed on the sidelines of the 13th World Urban Forum in Azerbaijan, focusing on sustainable urban development and affordable housing.
In cultural tourism, social protection and legal cooperation, the declaration supported the Common Museum Card project, the Tabarruk Ziyorat tourism routes, and the designation of Ankara and Tashkent as Tourism Capitals of the Turkic World.
It also welcomed memorandums of understanding and cooperation mechanisms established in areas including labor, employment, migration management, health tourism, forensic science networks, judicial ethics, supreme courts and prosecutor generals' offices.
The declaration further highlighted regional humanitarian cooperation activities carried out by the Turkic States Red Crescent and Red Cross Network, bringing together Red Crescent and Red Cross societies within the OTS framework.
- Cooperation among peoples
The declaration emphasized support for women's empowerment, strengthening the family institution, promoting traditional family and cultural values among younger generations, and recognizing the role of older generations in preserving and passing on cultural heritage.
It acknowledged that a healthy and dynamic population was essential to the development and sustainability of societies and encouraged cooperation among member states on family and population policies.
The leaders also encouraged discussions on establishing a voluntary Supreme Council of Honor, composed of the spouses of heads of state and representatives appointed by the presidents of OTS member states, to increase cooperation on family and women's issues.
The declaration welcomed the inaugural meeting held within the framework of the Ankara summit under the auspices of Turkish first lady Emine Erdogan. It supported holding subsequent meetings on the sidelines of future OTS summits.
The leaders reaffirmed the importance of strengthening cultural, linguistic and social ties between Turkic states and global communities. They urged ministers and heads of relevant institutions responsible for diaspora affairs to enhance cooperation and coordination in line with the Joint Action Strategy of Turkic-Speaking Diasporas, annual Joint Action Plans for Turkic Diasporas and the Turkic World Vision 2040.
The declaration welcomed the implementation of joint OTS diaspora scholarship programs under the Türkiye Scholarships initiative, describing them as a contribution to strengthening ties between Turkic states and their diasporas. It also welcomed the outcomes of the ninth meeting of OTS education ministers, held on June 8 in Turkistan.
The leaders welcomed consultations on treating football players who are citizens of OTS member states as "non-foreign players" in each other's domestic competitions and organizing a Turkic Cup tournament among national teams at various levels. They encouraged further efforts to turn the proposals into concrete initiatives.
The declaration stressed the importance of strengthening cooperation in strategic communications, combating disinformation and using emerging technologies in the media sector. It also welcomed the outcomes of the eighth meeting of OTS ministers and senior officials responsible for media and information, held in Astana on Oct. 16.
- Common Turkic alphabet, cultural heritage
The declaration welcomed the Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation's designation of 2026 as the Year of Ziya Gokalp, a Turkish sociologist and writer, and appreciated commemorative activities organized throughout the year to honor his intellectual legacy and contributions to Turkic culture and thought.
Türkiye was commended for its efforts to preserve the Bilge Tonyukuk Monument, while the leaders expressed satisfaction with recent archaeological excavations conducted across the Turkic world.
The declaration recognized Aktau's designation as the 2025 Cultural Capital of the Turkic World and welcomed Andijan's designation as the 2026 Cultural Capital.
It also welcomed the outcomes of the seventh meeting of the Council of Heads of Muslim Religious Boards of the OTS, held in Baku, and noted the recommendations and joint fatwas adopted within the framework of the OTS Fatwa Committee.
The leaders praised the efforts of the Turkic Academy to promote the common Turkic alphabet, adopt proposed guidelines for its use, and publish literary and scientific works written in the alphabet.
The declaration also recognized the Union of Turkic Chambers of Commerce and Industry as an important mechanism bringing together the national chambers of commerce of all Turkic states to strengthen economic cooperation, trade, investment and business-to-business relations.
- Cooperation with other institutions
The declaration welcomed growing interest from third countries and international organizations in establishing institutional cooperation with the OTS. It urged authorities in member states to accelerate joint efforts to secure observer status for the organization at the UN General Assembly and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).
The OTS secretariat was instructed to accelerate efforts to develop institutional relations with international and regional organizations, with particular emphasis on expanding cooperation with relevant external partners through the OTS+ format.
The leaders supported strengthening the secretariat's capacity to effectively carry out its expanding responsibilities and extended their best wishes to incoming Secretary-General Mirvahid Azimov.
The declaration said the 14th OTS Summit would be held in Uzbekistan in 2027. It also welcomed with great appreciation Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov's proposal to host the 2027 informal OTS summit in his country.
The heads of state expressed their deep gratitude to President Erdogan for successfully concluding the negotiations of the 13th OTS Summit and praised the Turkish government and people for their warm hospitality.
The declaration also welcomed Türkiye's assumption of the OTS chairmanship until the next summit.
Gizem Nisa Çebi Demir