Baku Forum becomes a new dialogue platform

The 2nd Solidarity Forum of NGOs from OTS member countries took place in Baku, Azerbaijan, as part of Baku Urban Week.

The event was attended by representatives from Türkiye, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, and Northern Cyprus.

The participants discussed issues related to social entrepreneurship, youth policy, building an inclusive society, preserving cultural heritage, and sustainable urban development.

According to analysts, the forum’s key feature is its aspiration to move cooperation among Turkic states beyond exclusively interstate interaction, extending it to the public and expert levels. Whereas Turkic integration was previously viewed mainly in political and economic terms, non-governmental organizations, think tanks, and young leaders are now playing an increasingly active role in this process.

Forum participants put forward initiatives to create additional opportunities for youth and entrepreneurs and to strengthen cultural and intellectual ties.

Guzal Sattorova, UzA