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.
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Leaders of the Organisation of Turkic States (OTS) gathered in the Kazakh city of Turkistan for an informal summit focused on strengthening cooperation in trade, transport, energy and regional connectivity as the bloc seeks to expand its geopolitical and economic influence across Eurasia.
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