Gabala Summit of the Organization of Turkic States: Building a New Blueprint for Regional Cooperation

Gabala, Azerbaijan, marked a new starting point for the Turkic world. Leaders of five countries signed the Gabala Declaration, launching the new "Organization of Turkic States Plus" mechanism and outlining a vision for regional integration by 2040.

From October 6 to 7, 2025, Gabala, Azerbaijan, hosted the 12th Summit of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS). Leaders of member states gathered to discuss key issues such as regional peace and security, economic integration, and digital transformation, and adopted the landmark Gabala Declaration.

Since its establishment in 2009, the Organization of Turkic States has grown from a unique organization connecting peoples to a regional cooperation platform with a population of 175 million and a GDP exceeding US$2.1 trillion. The summit demonstrated the organization's resolve to deepen political, economic, and cultural cooperation among its member states and reflected the shared desire of Turkic-speaking countries to have a greater voice in the global landscape.

01 Conference Background and Key Data

The Organization of Turkic States (OTS), formerly the Cooperation Council of Turkic-Speaking States, was established in Nakhchivan in October 2009 and officially changed its name to the Organization of Turkic States in 2021. After 16 years of development, the organization has expanded to encompass nearly 40 areas of cooperation, including politics, economy, culture, and science and technology, and has established a systematic cooperation mechanism.

As of 2025, the OTS member states will include Turkey, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan, with Hungary and Northern Cyprus as observers. The organization covers a total area of ​​approximately 4.5 million square kilometers, and its internal trade volume has grown from less than 3% in its early years to 7% today, and is expected to increase to 10% in the short term.

The Gabala Summit marked the end of Kyrgyzstan's rotating presidency and the smooth transfer of power to Azerbaijan. This meeting was held at a crucial time, coinciding with a breakthrough in the South Caucasus peace process—Armenia and Azerbaijan signed a joint peace declaration in August 2025, creating new possibilities for regional cooperation.

02 Core Outcomes and Document Signing

The most significant outcome of this summit was the adoption of the Gabala Declaration and its accompanying documents, which set a clear roadmap for the organization's future development.

The declaration covered multiple dimensions, including regional security, economic cooperation, digital transformation, and people-to-people exchanges. The support for the Azerbaijan-Armenia Washington Declaration was particularly noteworthy, and the summit recognized this agreement as a significant step towards peace in the South Caucasus.

The summit announced the launch of the new "Organization of Turkic States Plus" model. This innovative mechanism will transcend geographical limitations and attract participation from Turkic-speaking countries and strategic partners in the surrounding region. Furthermore, the countries agreed to strengthen the functions of the International Organization of Turkic Culture, expand the mandate of its secretariat, and establish dedicated funds and project programs in the fields of education, culture, and science.

In the area of ​​infrastructure, the summit highlighted the key role of the Zangezur Corridor and the Middle Corridor in regional integration and cross-border connectivity. These transportation projects will effectively improve logistics efficiency among member states and promote trade.

03 Initiatives and Strategic Priorities of Each Member State

At the Gabala Summit, leaders of member states put forward several strategically significant initiatives, reflecting their respective priorities in the process of Turkic integration.

Azerbaijani President Aliyev, the rotating chair of the OTS, emphasized the common roots of the Turkic peoples, announced a $2 million donation to the organization's secretariat, and proposed a joint celebration of the centenary of the first Turkic Studies Congress in 2026. Aliyev stated at the summit: "This is a vast territory with a strong military and economy, abundant natural resources, well-developed transportation routes, a young population, and a growing population. We are a people with common roots."

Kazakh President Tokayev supported the establishment of a Cybersecurity Council and promoted the implementation of the "Turkic World Vision 2040." As a founding member of the OTS, Kazakhstan's contribution to Turkic equality is significant.

Uzbek President Mirziyoyev advocated for the development of a roadmap for cooperation in artificial intelligence and the creative economy, and proposed the establishment of a Permanent Council for Economic Cooperation among Turkic States, chaired by a deputy prime minister.

Turkish President Erdogan advocated for the Organization of Turkic States to become an international actor with regional voice and to promote a greater role for the Organization of Turkic States on the international stage. This stance aligns with Turkey's long-standing position as a leader of the Turkic world.

04 Deepening Key Areas of Cooperation

Transport and Logistics Connectivity

Turkic states are prioritizing the development of their transportation and logistics networks. The Trans-Caspian International Transport Route has already reached 2.6 million tons of cargo and 40,200 TEUs of containerized goods. There are numerous projects to improve intermodal transport efficiency, including the transit of Kazakh uranium through Azerbaijan, the construction of a 400 Tbit/s submarine cable within the framework of the Digital Silk Road, and the Middle Corridor Multimodal Transport Joint Venture Initiative.

These infrastructure projects not only connect member states but also have global significance. For example, the Middle Corridor shortens trade routes, connects continents, and promotes global connectivity.

Digital Economy and Artificial Intelligence

Digital transformation has become a new engine for the development of the Organization of Turkic States. Leaders of various countries have repeatedly called for digitalization in Turkic countries. At the 2022 Samarkand Summit, Kazakhstan proposed establishing an OTS digitalization center based on the Astana International Technopark.

Experts predict that by 2028, the digital economy will reach $16.5 trillion, accounting for 17% of global GDP. Turkic countries are actively embracing this trend and plan to establish a common digitalization center to promote the digitization of customs and logistics systems, harmonize e-government standards, and jointly protect data security.

Energy Security and Green Transformation

Energy cooperation is a traditional strength of the Organization of Turkic States. Azerbaijan's Southern Gas Corridor, offshore wind power projects, and the Green Corridor Partnership demonstrate the leadership of member states in sustainable development.

The Organization of Turkic States also plans to establish a Green Finance Committee to improve sustainable development mechanisms in the energy and environmental protection sectors. The Green Finance Committee and the Turkic Investment Fund, initiated by Kazakhstan, will provide financial support for these projects and promote regional green transformation.

05 Cultural Education and People-to-People Exchange

Cultural identity is the core of the cohesiveness of the Organization of Turkic States. To strengthen Turkic cultural ties, the countries decided at the Gabala Summit to upgrade the International Organization of Turkic Culture, expand the secretariat's mandate, and establish a dedicated fund in the fields of education, culture, and science.

In terms of educational cooperation, the ministries of education and universities of various countries are actively promoting the Turkic University Alliance (TURKUNIB) and the Olkhon Academic Exchange Program, preparing to establish a permanent secretariat and a dedicated fund. Hungary has pledged €1 million annually to the OTS Research, Innovation, and Development Fund to promote academic research and innovation in the Turkic world.

In the cultural field, the Organization of Turkic States is strengthening cultural exchanges through institutions such as TÜRKSOY (International Organization of Turkic Culture). In 2025, Aktau was designated the Cultural Capital of the Turkic World, and Bishkek was selected as the Digital Capital of the Organization of Turkic States. These initiatives will help strengthen cultural identity in the Turkic world.

06 Strategic Significance from a Global Perspective

The outcomes of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) Gabala Summit transcend regional cooperation and have global significance. From a geopolitical perspective, the organization has established a new platform for cooperation in the heart of Eurasia, connecting the two major economic spheres of Europe and Asia.

The OTS's population and economic scale make it a formidable force in the global economy. Its GDP has exceeded $2.1 trillion, making it the world's 13th largest economy. With the increase in the proportion of internal trade and the advancement of joint projects, the influence of this economy will further expand.

The OTS has also expanded its external outreach through the "OTS+" model, engaging in dialogue with international organizations such as the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and hosting "Turkic Week" in Vienna to showcase the organization's mission and achievements on the global stage. This demonstrates that the OTS is not only a regional player but also aspires to provide solutions to global challenges.

Following the conclusion of the OTS Gabala Summit, member states have begun implementing the summit's resolutions. Azerbaijan, the new rotating chair, announced a $2 million donation to support the organization's operations; Kazakhstan is promoting the establishment of a Cybersecurity Council; and Uzbekistan has begun developing a roadmap for cooperation in artificial intelligence.

With the launch of the new "Organization of Turkic States Plus" model and the gradual implementation of the Gabala Declaration, the Organization of Turkic States' influence will transcend traditional geographical boundaries and potentially play an even more significant role in Eurasian and even global governance.

As Secretary-General of the Organization of Turkic States, Omuraliyev, stated: "The Turkic world is our home; we have no other. This sense of a shared destiny guides our path."