The President of Uzbekistan puts forward a series of initiatives at the informal summit of the Organization of Turkic States

On May 15, the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev took part in the informal summit of the Organization of Turkic States held under the theme “Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development”.

The summit in the city of Turkestan was also attended by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, the President of the Kyrgyz Republic Sadyr Japarov, the President of the Republic of Türkiye Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, and OTS Secretary General Kubanychbek Omuraliev.

The leaders exchanged views on the summit agenda and discussed in detail the current state of multifaceted cooperation and priority areas for practical partnership.

At the beginning of his address, the President of Uzbekistan expressed gratitude to the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev for the high-level organization of the informal summit in Turkestan, an important trade and cultural center along the Great Silk Road.

He also commended the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev for his effective chairmanship of the OTS and his efforts to strengthen the organization’s international standing.

It was noted that integrating the Turkic world is a long-term strategic issue that directly affects the destinies of our fraternal peoples.

“Our meeting today is taking place at a time when tensions are escalating around the world. Trust in international relations is waning, and the role and influence of global institutions are diminishing. These challenges require us to intensify our dialogue and develop unified positions on critical issues”, the President of Uzbekistan said.

In recent years, the Organization of Turkic States has become an influential organization demonstrating sustainable development. For example, in 2025, the combined economic potential of our countries exceeded $2.4 trillion, and its growth dynamics were twice the global average.

Over the past year alone, Uzbekistan’s trade turnover with the Organization’s member states rose by 14 percent. The Turkic Investment Fund began operations this year, and the Council of Central Banks and the Turkic Green Finance Council were also launched.

The President of Uzbekistan emphasized the urgent need to give multifaceted relations a more systemic character. Moreover, it is no coincidence that the summit is dedicated to artificial intelligence and digital development.

“Our great ancestors – Muhammad Khwarizmi, Ahmad Fergani, Abu Rayhan Biruni, and Mirzo Ulugbek – made invaluable contributions to the development of algorithms, mathematics, astronomy, and physics, laying the foundation for modern artificial intelligence. Building on this priceless heritage, we are creating a new era of digital development for the Turkic world”, Shavkat Mirziyoyev said.

In his address, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev put forward several specific initiatives to develop cooperation in this area.

The Leader of Uzbekistan emphasized the need to establish a network of strategic cooperation in artificial intelligence within the Organization, taking into account global technological trends. This initiative will help identify new points of economic growth by developing quantum computing technologies and creating a unified digital space.

It was also proposed to develop the concept of a “Digital Turkic Corridor” to facilitate regional data exchange and to host a Technology Forum in Tashkent with participation from OTS member states.

The Islamic Civilization Center, established in Tashkent to conduct in-depth study and promote our shared scientific and spiritual heritage, is becoming a major regional scientific and educational center. A TURKSOY office has recently opened within the complex.

“It would be beneficial for our peoples if the Center, together with TURKSOY and the Turkic Academy, brought together historical and cultural resources on a single big data platform”, the Head of State said.

It was also proposed to organize an in-depth study and broad dissemination of the Yasawi order’s ideas on tolerance and enlightenment.

Uzbekistan’s “Five Million AI Leaders” program, aimed at preparing the younger generation for modern professions, has been widely praised. To finance youth startup projects, the President of Uzbekistan called on all member states to join the joint venture fund being established by Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan.

Satisfaction was expressed regarding the full implementation of the “E-Permit” electronic permit system among member states to simplify freight transportation procedures. Practical tasks were identified to connect the strategically important Middle Corridor with the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway, currently under construction, and to fully digitalize customs data exchange.

To coordinate efforts to counter climate change, an initiative was proposed to declare 2027 the “Year of Nature Conservation” in the Turkic World.

The need to establish a climate risk monitoring system under the OTS, based on satellite data, was also emphasized, along with the introduction of artificial intelligence technologies for early drought detection and for transboundary water resource management.

The President of Uzbekistan proposed establishing a Turkic Alliance for Cybersecurity and Digital Infrastructure Protection to create a solid legal and technological foundation for combating terrorism, extremism, and cyber threats.

Concluding his address, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev noted that the combination of intellectual potential and unity can transform the Turkic world into a space for sustainable development and advanced solutions.

Following the summit, the Turkestan Declaration was adopted.

UzA