Address by the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev at the Summit of the Heads of State of the Organization of Turkic States
Distinguished heads of delegations!
It is my great pleasure to meet with you, my dear brothers, in the unique city of Gabala, which has been one of the important trade and cultural centers of the Great Silk Road since ancient times.
First of all, I would like to express my gratitude to His Excellency Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, for the high-level organization of the summit and for the traditional and sincere hospitality.
Thanks to your initiatives, we have visited many regions of modern Azerbaijan in recent years.
We are witnessing the ever-growing development of beautiful Karabakh and the enormous construction works taking place in the cities of Shusha, Khankendi and Aghdam. As close friends, we are certainly very pleased with these positive developments.
It is no exaggeration to say that "Peace Declaration" signed with Armenia thanks to your firm political will is also a common victory for the Turkic states.
This historic agreement opens up broad opportunities for close cooperation among our countries in trade, economic, transport and humanitarian spheres.
Esteemed colleagues!
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to His Excellency Sadyr Zhaparov, President of the Kyrgyz Republic, for his effective leadership of our Organization throughout the year and his valuable contribution to elevating our cooperation to a new level.
Today's meeting on the topic of "Regional Peace and Security" is taking place amid complex geopolitical changes in the world and increasing security threats.
My colleagues who have just taken the floor have expressed their opinions and suggestions on these issues.
The statements made by world leaders at the recent anniversary session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York once again demonstrated the lack of a unified position on the issues related to the political and security architecture of the modern world.
The time itself requires us to deeply reform and improve the global governance system and enhance the role of the UN and its Security Council. In particular, a key task is to strengthen close cooperation to empower the positions and voices of developing countries.
The most pressing issues, conflicts and wars that are continuing to escalate across the Eurasian region, with no end in sight, are undoubtedly having a negative impact on our countries.
The tragedy unfolding in the Gaza Strip, the situation around Ukraine, Iran’s nuclear program, and the stability of Afghanistan are causes of serious concern for all of us.
We welcome the aspirations and new plans of the world's major powers to establish a just world order and ensure mutual trust and security.
I believe that the time itself urge us to hold regular joint meetings of foreign ministers and heads of special services of the Organization of Turkic States in order to conduct an in-depth analysis of the global situation and make the necessary decisions. In this regard, we propose to hold the first such joint meeting next year in the ancient city of Samarkand.
Dear heads of delegations!
The analyses indicate that, within a short period of time, the Organization of Turkic States has joined the ranks of the prestigious and rapidly developing international organizations.
First and foremost, this is clearly proven by the intensification of political dialogue at the highest level, the strengthening of mutual trust, and the active implementation of practical partnership projects and humanitarian programs among our countries.
I would like to cite just one example. Today, within the framework of our Organization, practical cooperation is actively underway in more than thirty-five areas. The trade volume among our countries is steadily growing and is expected to double by 2030.
In line with the agenda, I would like to touch upon a number of specific issues.
Improving the profile and enhancing capacity of our Organization, and strengthening its role as an effective cooperation platform in the near future, remain among our key priorities.
In this regard, we advocate for the early finalization and adoption of the Treaty on Strategic Partnership, Eternal Friendship, and Fraternity among the Turkic States.
Undoubtedly, this landmark document will serve as a fundamental political framework for advancing our cooperation, bringing our brotherly nations even closer together, and elevating practical interaction to a new stage.
With a view to further expanding and accelerating our multifaceted partnership, we propose to draw up the Organization’s 2030 Development Strategy and a dedicated Roadmap for its implementation.
In this context, we consider it appropriate to outline the following specific areas and activities.
First. We believe the development of trade and economic relations and the deepening of industrial cooperation among our countries should be a key priority.
We support the establishment of a New Space of Economic Opportunities within our Organization in the nearest future. This primarily concerns the creation of the most favorable conditions, legal framework, and infrastructure for trade, business, and mutual investment.
In order to ensure the consistent advancement of practical cooperation and formulation of concrete projects, in particular, to coordinate the plans within the Turkic Investment Fund, we believe the time has come to establish a Permanent Council of the Turkic States for Economic Partnership. It is important that this body operates on a permanent basis under the leadership of the Deputy Prime Ministers of our respective countries. We are ready to host the Council’s Project Office in Tashkent.
Within the framework of this Council, we could implement a number of new initiatives, including:
- establishment of Industrial Alliance of Turkic States, through which we could advance cooperation projects among our leading companies in such sectors as mechanical engineering, mining, electrical equipment, petrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, light industry, food production, and construction materials;
- introduction of the "Turkic Green Corridors" electronic system in order to significantly increase the volume of mutual trade and bring technical regulations closer together;
- creation of a Green Transformation Consortium for the joint implementation of projects in green energy, green hydrogen and ammonia, attracting advanced technologies, standards and competencies, and widespread implementation of public-private partnership mechanisms;
- development of the strategic mineral base and the production of value-added products should remain under the constant attention of the Council.
In this regard, the adoption of a practical Cooperation Program based on the principle of "raw materials - processing - science and technology - finished products" is of great importance.
Second. In terms of ensuring food security, our countries can become world leaders in the production and supply of organic agricultural products.
According to analyses FAO, the volume of global organic products’ market today exceeds $225 billion, and these figures are expected to grow by 10 percent annually in the future.
Based on the potential of our countries in this area, we must strengthen scientific research and breeding, industrial cooperation, and logistical ties in the production of high-quality and in-demand organic products.
In the future, we could promote our organic products on the global market under a single brand.
In this regard, we propose to create an Expert Working Group under the supervision of our Ministers of Agriculture to select the first pilot projects and implement them in our countries.
Third. We all deeply understand the need for a coordinated policy in strengthening the transport connectivity of the Turkic States and developing international transit corridors.
We fully support all the outlined plans for the consistent development of the Middle Corridor.
Most importantly, this corridor should be distinguished by its competitiveness. It must ensure the most favorable conditions for the business community.
In this regard, we place great emphasis on projects to apply reasonable transit tariffs, develop modern transport infrastructure, and introduce a digitized customs regime.
It is important to underscore by connecting the Middle Corridor with the China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan railway, which is currently under construction, and the promising Trans-Afghan corridor, we will be able to establish a multi-route system of strategic corridors across our vast region.
I am confident that all our initiatives related to the transport sector will be thoroughly discussed at the International Forum on Multimodal Transportation, which will be held on November 12 in Tashkent.
We believe in the active participation of national delegations led by Ministers of Transport, heads of major logistics companies and associations, as well as scholars and experts.
Fourth. When discussing large-scale industrial and infrastructure projects, the introduction of effective financial instruments is particularly important.
In this regard, we definitely support the expansion of the activities of the Turkic Investment Fund.
In addition, we propose adopting a Strategic Cooperation Program with the Islamic Development Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and other international financial and national development institutions in order to attract additional funds for priority projects.
Fifth. Artificial intelligence, digitalization, and the creative industry sectors are becoming key drivers of sustainable development in our countries.
To unite our efforts in these areas, we propose adopting a “Roadmap” for the implementation of projects in Artificial Intelligence and creative industries.
At the same time, we are ready to host the Turkic World International Exhibition in our country.
Sixth. It is important to elevate our cooperation in science and education to a new level based on the principle of "Enlightenment against ignorance".
Uzbekistan will assume the chairmanship of the Turkic University Union in 2025–2026, which unites more than 100 universities. The General Assembly of the Union will be held in Tashkent next week.
During our chairmanship we will propose to hold the "Turkic Science and Innovation Days".
In order to strengthen cooperation in this area and encourage research by talented scientists, the International University of Turkic States is starting its work in Uzbekistan.
It would be appropriate to develop a Joint Research Support Program on the basis of this University.
Seventh. In order to prevent the spread of subversive and destructive ideas among our youth, I propose to adopt an Action Plan aimed at combating extremist and radical ideology in the Turkic States.
At the same time, we will continue to maintain close dialogue on combating all forms of Islamophobia.
In addition, the development of joint environmental awareness measures among youth within our Organization will undoubtedly be an important step in this direction.
I would like to dwell on one more issue. Next year, we will widely celebrate the 585th Anniversary of the great poet and thinker Alisher Navoi and the 885th Anniversary of the great Azerbaijani poet Nizami Ganjavi.
In order to widely promote their ideas of humanism, friendship and solidarity, as well as their invaluable literary heritage, we propose to hold an International Scientific Conference on the topic "The works of Nizami Ganjavi and Alisher Navoi - in the Spiritual Life of the Turkic World".
Distinguished heads of delegations!
In conclusion, I wish every success to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan His Excellency Ilham Aliyev, who is taking over the chairmanship of our organization.
I believe that the Gabala Declaration to be adopted today will further strengthen the noble initiatives and plans we are jointly promoting, and will make a significant contribution to the development of our countries and the prosperity of our fraternal peoples.
I thank you for your attention!
