The Organisation of Turkic States (OTS) is rapidly transforming into a strategic regional hub, offering member states an independent geopolitical path, analysts say.
Its growing influence now spans security, trade, digital innovation, and economic integration across Eurasia.
This transformation was highlighted at the 12th Summit, held on 7 October 2025 in Gabala, Azerbaijan, where leaders adopted the Gabala Declaration, committing to deepen cooperation across more than 40 sectors, including security, economy, education, innovation, transport, and space collaboration.
Another key development at the summit was the launch of OTS+, a framework designed to allow partnerships with non-Turkic states and external organisations, signalling a shift from an ethnic-based model to a broader geopolitical platform.
Innovation is emerging as a core priority. Kazakhstan aims to become a fully digital state, Uzbekistan is developing a tech workforce of over 200,000 professionals, and Türkiye continues exporting defence and digital technologies.
The OTS is coordinating the creation of a Turkic Digital Innovation Centre and a Turkic AI Network, while digitising transport corridors, Times of Central Asia reports.
For member states, security remains central. Leaders described the OTS as an emerging “power centre,” capable of promoting regional stability and coordinating defence initiatives.
By linking transport, trade, digital, and economic integration, the organisation is increasingly positioning itself as a fully-fledged regional bloc, with the potential to shape the Caucasus, Central Asia, and broader Eurasian geopolitics.
Infrastructure and trade initiatives
Member states reaffirmed support for key transport corridors, including the Trans-Caspian International East–West Middle Corridor and the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars (BTK) railway, connecting Central Asia, the Caucasus, and Europe.
Analysts suggest these corridors could facilitate trade worth billions of dollars in the coming years.
The summit also included participation from the Turkic Investment Fund, which supports projects across member states. The OTS now oversees more than 40 multilateral programmes, covering AI, green technology, digital government, and SME support.
From hosting working group meetings in Baku to coordinating multi-billion-dollar corridors and partnerships with non-Turkic states, the OTS demonstrates a rapid evolution from a symbolic cultural organisation into a strategic regional hub.
A new state agency wants the world to take Georgian food as seriously as Georgians already do. ...
Brazil has denied visa requests for two Trump administration officials who planned to travel to the country to cast doubt on the integrity of its elec...
A journey into one of the darkest chapters of the Baltic states' history. ...
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 24th July, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Russian authorities said 11 people, including four children, had been killed by Ukraine in an overnight attack on a holiday camp, accusing Kyiv on Saturday of deliberately targeting civilians.
The U.S. military said it completed a fresh wave of strikes on Iran late on Thursday, marking the 13th consecutive night of American attacks. The latest operation lasted more than two hours, according to U.S. Central Command.
Spain has declared a national emergency and evacuated more than 10,000 people after uncontrolled wildfires reached the outskirts of Madrid. Emergency crews have rescued residents as multiple blazes continue to spread across the region.
Six candidates vying to become the next United Nations Secretary-General have called for restoring the organisation's credibility, strengthening multilateralism and reforming the UN, during the first public town hall debate ahead of a decisive Security Council vote next week.
A new state agency wants the world to take Georgian food as seriously as Georgians already do.
Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan have signed regional and commercial agreements worth more than 80 billion tenge ($146 million). The deals aim to expand cooperation between the two Central Asian neighbors in trade, transport, industry and cross-border development.
UN Secretary General António Guterres arrived in Damascus on Saturday for the first trip to Syria by a serving United Nations' chief since 2009, before the start of a civil war that killed hundreds of thousands and displaced millions.
More than 100 Afghan business representatives travelled to Uzbekistan this week for a business forum aimed at expanding trade and investment, as Uzbek investors also expressed interest in Afghanistan’s mining sector.
Kazakhstan's grain sector faces a difficult season as drought reduces harvest prospects while mounting security risks in the Black Sea threaten to redirect cheaper Russian grain into Central Asian markets.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment