Address by the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev at the informal summit of the Organisation of Turkic States
Distinguished heads of delegations!
I am indeed pleased that we are meeting today in the beautiful city of Budapest, which for centuries has stood as a vital bridge between East and West.
Let me echo the words of appreciation to His Excellency Viktor Orbán, the distinguished Prime Minister of Hungary, for hosting today’s meeting at a high-level.
I also commend His Excellency Sadyr Japarov, the honorable President of the Kyrgyz Republic, who is successfully chairing our Organization.
Esteemed colleagues!
Our summit is taking place against the backdrop of a rapidly changing global landscape, unpredictable and complex developments. Geopolitical and geoeconomic tensions, regional conflicts, and the aggravating effects of climate change have become a major test for all of us.
For this reason, it is more important than ever to strengthen our common approaches and unified positions in addressing pressing global issues.
I would like to underline that we believe the most sensitive and urgent problems must be resolved based on the principles of international law and the United Nations Charter.
We support practical efforts aimed at resolving the situation around Ukraine through diplomacy and negotiations. In this regard, I would like to specifically highlight the commendable contribution of His Excellency Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, the President of Türkiye.
All of us are deeply concerned with the violation of the ceasefire in Gaza and resumption of military actions. So long as the two-state solution is not realized, it will be impossible to find a fair solution to the Palestine-Israeli conflict.
When discussing global and regional security, we must also consider the complex situation in Afghanistan and find a common solution. The adoption of a Joint Statement on Afghanistan demonstrates our Organization’s serious attention to this matter.
Distinguished participants of the summit!
In a short period of time, we have achieved effective and practical results in our cooperation within the framework of the Organization of Turkic States. The recent forum of our economic think-tanks held in Tashkent once again confirmed the tremendous potential for expanding our cooperation.
Based on today’s agenda, I would like to put forward my proposals.
As you are aware, last year we proposed to develop an “Agreement on Strategic Partnership, Eternal Friendship, and Brotherhood among Turkic States.”
Today, this document is becoming even more important and relevant. Undoubtedly, this Agreement will contribute to bringing our peoples closer together and will serve as a long-term legal foundation for our multifaceted cooperation. I suggest that we sign this document at the upcoming Baku Summit.
We have a clear objective which is to drastically increase the share of mutual trade in the coming years. To this end, we propose launching the “TURK-TRADE” online platform and adopting a Practical Program to boost trade.
To increase cargo transportation along the Trans-Caspian International Transport Corridor and to simplify customs and border procedures, I call for the swift implementation of “Single Window” and “Green Corridor” systems. To expand cooperation in this area, we plan to host the International Multimodal Transport and Logistics Forum of Turkic States this November in Tashkent.
I would also like to underscore that the activity of the Turkic Investment Fund will undoubtedly give a boost to the intensification of investment flows.
We believe it is essential to establish a Joint Venture Company to support innovative projects. In this regard, it would be expedient to launch a single investment portal that fully reflects the investment opportunities of our countries.
Another important issue. The time has come to elevate practical cooperation in industrial cooperation to a new level. In this regard, I propose to develop an Industrial Cooperation Program aimed at creating significant production capacities in key sectors, such as chemicals, energy, mining, light industry, pharmaceuticals, leather and footwear, food processing, and construction.
At the recent International Climate Forum in Samarkand important proposals were made to strengthen regional and global cooperation in “green” development.
We are also pleased to acknowledge that, thanks to the initiative of His Excellency Viktor Orbán, our Organization’s Institute for Drought Prevention has begun operating in Budapest. To support the work of this Institute and increase its engagement in targeted projects, I propose to develop a Joint Roadmap for the Prevention of Drought and Environmental Problems.
At this point, I would also like to draw your attention to another critical matter.
It is our honorable and responsible duty to thoroughly study and promote the legacy of our great ancestors, who have made immense contributions to global science and culture and who are a source of pride for all of us. With the aim of advancing science and expanding educational opportunities for younger generations, we have enshrined the noble moral principle “there is no salvation other than knowledge” in the the Turkic World Charter.
In pursuit of this noble goal, we are launching the International University of Turkic States in Tashkent. The University is envisioned as a center where prominent professors and scholars from across the Turkic world will teach and conduct their research. I am confident that this initiative will meaningfully contribute to raising the intellectual potential and worldview of our youth and providing them with modern knowledge.
Esteemed heads of delegations!
Last year, Uzbekistan announced the decision to officially join the Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation. Within the framework of this structure, an important task before us is to preserve our common Turkic cultural heritage and pass it on to future generations in its entirety. In order to expand the dialogue in this field, I propose holding the next meeting of the Foundation’s Council in our country.
The International Organization of Turkic Culture (TURKSOY) holds a special place in the development of cultural cooperation among our states. I believe that in order to bring our efforts in this area to a new level and further enhance the prestige of TURKSOY, it is necessary to improve its activities and structure in accordance with modern requirements. For this purpose, I believe it would expedient to instruct our ministers of Foreign Affairs and Culture to develop relevant proposals for the Baku Summit.
Distinguished colleagues!
Three years ago, we established the Alisher Navoi International Prize named after the great thinker and statesman for his immense contribution to the unity of the Turkic world.
Today, we are extremely pleased to honor Mr. Aziz Sancar, a prominent Turkish scientist, biochemist, and Nobel laureate, with this prestigious award. We are especially proud that this renowned scientist is an honorary doctor of the National University of Uzbekistan.
I am confident that today's award ceremony will inspire scholars of the Turkic world, including our youth who are boldly embarking on the path of science, to reach even greater heights.
Dear friends!
I believe that the important decisions and documents adopted at today's Budapest Summit will open a new page in strengthening peace, harmony, and sustainable development between our brotherly peoples.
Thank you for your attention!
