BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 5. The upcoming summit of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) in Bishkek marks a significant step forward in strengthening economic ties among member countries, Kazakh political analyst and Assistant Professor in Media Communications and Kazakh History at the International University of Information Technologies (IUIT) Aigerim Zhampetova told Trend.
"Right now, the Organization collaborates across more than 32 areas, with economic cooperation being the most active," Zhampetova said, noting that a major focus is on advancing digitalization. "One of the standout projects in this area is ‘Digital TIR,’ which aims to streamline goods transport among member states".
Zhampetova also highlighted the importance of cultural integration in strengthening bonds among Turkic nations: "At the recent summit in Astana, member countries signed 12 agreements, including the Astana Act and Declaration, which emphasize goals to deepen cultural ties. At the third commission meeting, a unified alphabet for OTS countries was unanimously adopted by the Turkic Academy and the Institute of Turkic Languages, marking a major step in cultural and linguistic integration".
Reflecting on OTS’s future, Zhampetova pointed to areas where cooperation could deepen considerably: "The main themes of the upcoming summit on November 6 in Kyrgyzstan will be economic integration, sustainable development, digital transformation, and security. There’s also a strong focus on collaboration in education and scientific research, which are some of the most promising and necessary areas of cooperation".
"There are also discussions underway about joint projects in the digital, aerospace, and AI sectors. Establishing branches of leading universities and hosting scientific conferences will help drive development in our countries as we navigate modern challenges," Zhampetova added, underscoring that joint efforts in science and education will help build mutual understanding and support among OTS countries.
On the importance of the Bishkek summit, the analyst noted that it would be a crucial step in bolstering political and economic ties among OTS members. "In light of global challenges and uncertainties, this forum will serve as a vital platform for implementing prior initiatives and defining new areas of cooperation. Economic integration, especially creating a common market for Turkic countries, will likely be a central topic," Zhampetova said.
She added that security issues and cooperation with other international organizations, such as the Islamic Organization for Food Security and the Economic Cooperation Organization, would also be high on the agenda, as these could significantly expand the OTS’s influence on the global stage.
Zhampetova emphasized that the OTS faces considerable geopolitical challenges, and the summit could play a role in strengthening the bloc's position worldwide. "The recent escalation of conflicts in the Middle East has made security cooperation even more essential. The summit could become a platform for peaceful conflict resolution and for shaping a more independent and coordinated OTS stance internationally," the analyst added.
Discussing Kazakhstan’s role in the summit, Zhampetova highlighted the country’s central role in bringing Turkic states together. "Kazakhstan is leading the initiative to create a common market, which could significantly boost mutual trade and make the region more attractive to foreign investors," she said.
Zhampetova also noted that Kazakhstan actively supports expanding scientific and educational exchanges, which are vital for Turkic integration. "Expanding scientific and educational exchanges, along with reinforcing security, underscores Kazakhstan's commitment to building a strong and stable integration framework in Central Asia," she noted.