On November 6, the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev attended the Summit of the Heads of State of the Organization of Turkic States, in Bishkek.

The event, chaired by the President of the Kyrgyz Republic Sadyr Zhaparov, 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 Republic of Türkiye Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, the Prime Minister of Hungary Viktor Orbán, and the Secretary General of the Organization of Turkic States Kubanychbek Omuraliev.

In accordance with the agenda, views were exchanged on the state and prospects of multifaceted cooperation within the Organization, and current issues of practical interaction were discussed.

In his address, the President of Uzbekistan emphasized that following the meetings in Astana and Shusha, the global geopolitical processes have become even more complicated. Rivalry and mistrust among major powers are intensifying, conflicts and wars are increasing, and various threats and challenges are on the rise.

These problems have become serious obstacles to joint plans and major projects in trade, investment, transport, energy, agriculture, and other areas.

It is expedient to continue dialogues on political and security issues within the framework of the Organization systemically and actively promote a united and clear position on international issues based on common interests.

“It is, first and foremost, about the ongoing unfair war in the Middle East and double standards that we can witness. Nothing can justify the unprecedented humanitarian tragedy in Gaza and Lebanon, the devastating attacks against civilians, especially the death of innocent children, the elderly, and women. We strongly condemn the actions aimed at restricting the activities of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees”, the President of Uzbekistan said.

It was noted that the only solution to this long-standing conflict is the establishment of an independent State of Palestine with East Jerusalem as its capital, based on the 1967 borders, in accordance with international regulations and resolutions.

The hope was expressed that a clear political solution to this problem would be found at the Arab-Islamic Summit in Riyadh next week.

Particular attention was paid to the situation in Afghanistan. It was noted that establishing a regular dialogue mechanism at the ministerial and expert levels is important.

“We believe that the issues of providing support to de-facto authorities in addressing acute problems in Afghanistan, integrating this country into regional economic processes, and implementing social and infrastructure projects should be considered”, the President of Uzbekistan said.

It was emphasized that the adoption of the historic document of the Organization – the Turkic World Charter – is a vivid expression of the growing multilateral cooperation among fraternal countries and peoples.

Based on the agenda of the Summit, the Leader of Uzbekistan drew attention to several priorities.

The Head of state advocated for expanding and strengthening the Organization’s legal framework. The Treaty on Strategic Partnership, Eternal Friendship, and Fraternity of the Turkic States was proposed to be adopted.

In addition, an initiative was put forward to create an area of new economic opportunities within the Organization and develop specific treaties and agreements on the elimination of customs and non-tariff barriers, facilitation of trade and customs procedures, and development of e-commerce platforms.

In this regard, it was proposed to hold a conference of leading national think tanks in Tashkent soon, to conduct in-depth studies to expand the trade potential of the Organization’s member states.

It was noted that next year’s plans for economic forums, trade, and industrial exhibitions, mutual visits to regions and provinces, participation in state procurement, and a joint program of cooperation and localization needed to be adopted.

In today’s challenging global economic environment, ensuring the continuity of investment flows is the most urgent problem.

The demand for capital and its price on the global financial market is increasing. Developing countries are finding it increasingly difficult to obtain long-term and green loans.

In this context, the need was noted to introduce financial instruments, intensify the activities of the Turkic Investment Fund, and establish the Turkic Development Bank.

It was also noted that the broad engagement of international financial institutions and foreign investment companies in projects of regional importance is also essential. In this regard, organizing a Turkic Investment Forum and hosting its first meeting in Uzbekistan was proposed.

Another priority issue identified is the efficient use of transport corridors, optimization of transit tariffs along the Middle Corridor, simplifying border crossing, creating modern logistics systems, and setting up joint operators.

An initiative has been put forward to sign a multilateral Agreement on electronic document workflow and their mutual recognition in transport within the Organization.

To discuss these relevant issues in detail with the participation of business representatives, it was proposed to hold an International Logistics Conference in cooperation with the Alliance of Logistics Centers and Freight Carriers of Turkic states.

In support of the current summit’s theme, it was proposed to develop a Digital Turkic World concept that aims to broaden the implementation of the economy of the future, the exchange of best practices and achievements in IT, the development of innovative, infrastructural, and scientific digital systems, and the establishment of large data centers.

Sincerely congratulating the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and wishing him every success as Baku is to host the COP-29 global summit next week, the Leader of Uzbekistan noted the need for the earliest establishment of the Turkic Ecological Council at the ministerial level and to host its first meeting in Uzbekistan next year.

To bring fraternal peoples even closer and to educate youth in a spirit worthy of ancestors, it was noted that it would be truly expedient to publish a multi-volume Collection of Folklore of the Turkic Peoples in the languages of the Organization’s member countries, jointly conduct fundamental research, and establish optional classes in schools on the Turkic peoples and their history, ethnography, culture, and art.

Uzbekistan’s readiness to become a full member of the Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation was expressed.

Following his address, the President of Uzbekistan warmly congratulated Viktor Orbán, the Prime Minister of Hungary, on being awarded the Supreme Order of the Turkic World.

Following the summit, the Bishkek Declaration, the Charter of the Turkic World, developed at Uzbekistan’s initiative, and several agreements on priority areas of cooperation were adopted.

UzA