Kazakhstan's Tokayev Proposes Initiatives to Boost Turkic States Cooperation
The 12th summit of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) concluded with the signing of the Gabala Declaration. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev of Kazakhstan proposed several initiatives to boost cooperation among Turkic countries, focusing on political, economic, and cultural aspects.
Tokayev stressed the importance of unity in tackling global challenges. He proposed a Joint Program on Water Resources to manage river water efficiently. In the economy, he suggested an Industrial Cooperation Program with priority projects. To promote sustainability, Tokayev called for the creation of the Council on Best Practices in Energy Efficiency. He also proposed establishing a council on cybersecurity to combat cyberattacks. In the transportation sector, Tokayev suggested setting up the Digital Monitoring Center to oversee logistics flows and enhance regional connectivity. Additionally, he proposed the Turkic States Digital Innovation Center to support startups and foster joint digital projects.
Tokayev expressed Kazakhstan's support for creating the OTS+ format to expand cooperation with partner countries. He also proposed dedicating next year's informal OTS summit in Kazakhstan to the theme of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development.
The Gabala Declaration marked the end of the 12th OTS summit, with Tokayev's proposals aiming to strengthen cooperation among Turkic states. These initiatives, if adopted, could significantly improve political, economic, and cultural ties, as well as enhance regional connectivity and sustainability.
