Think tanks from the Organization of Turkic States met in Baku to strengthen regional cooperation. Experts discussed geopolitical shifts, economic plans, and cultural ties, highlighting unity, the Zangezur Corridor, and strategic projects under the 2022–2026 roadmap.
Ahead of the upcoming Organization of Turkic States (OTS) Summit in October, leading think tanks and regional experts from member and observer countries gathered in Baku for a high-level conference titled “OTS as a Regional Actor During Global Uncertainty.” The event focused on strengthening political, economic, and cultural cooperation among Turkic nations to collectively address regional challenges and increase the OTS’s global influence.
Farid Shafiyev, Chairman of the Azerbaijani Center of Analysis of International Relations, stressed that growing unity among member states is shifting the geopolitical balance in the region. He noted that over the past two years, coordinated disinformation campaigns have targeted the OTS, especially amid developments in the Middle East. Shafiyev emphasized the importance of the think tank forum in crafting joint responses to such challenges and underscored the need for flexibility, given the complex geopolitical realities faced by Turkic countries.
OTS Deputy Secretary General Ömer Koçaman highlighted the organization’s ongoing strategic initiatives under its 2022–2026 roadmap. He pointed to key projects in areas such as the economy, transportation, tourism, media, and youth development. Koçaman underlined that shared history, language, and cultural ties remain at the core of the OTS’s strength and offer significant strategic value. He also emphasized the importance of innovation and adaptability as the organization encounters new ideas and changing global conditions.
The conference also addressed recent positive developments in the South Caucasus, particularly the normalization process between Azerbaijan and Armenia. Participants noted that the peace talks could pave the way for new regional energy and transport links. Among these, the Zangezur Corridor was highlighted as a vital route that could enhance connectivity and stability across Turkic states, further solidifying regional integration and cooperation.
In a sweeping diplomatic push in Baku, Georgia and Azerbaijan have signed a landmark package of energy and transport agreements, cementing a partne...
United Nations World Urban Forum 13 continues in Baku, Azerbaijan on 19 May with sessions and roundtable discussions focused on strengthening dialo...
The first-ever “WUF13 NGO Forum” in the history of the World Urban Forum (WUF) was held on 19 May 2026 at Azerbaijan’s initiative...
Germany will deploy a Patriot air-defence battery to Türkiye in the coming weeks as part of a NATO mission aimed at strengthening the alliance...
Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has called for closer security coordination between Central Asia and China, warning that expanding trade and...
In a sweeping diplomatic push in Baku, Georgia and Azerbaijan have signed a landmark package of energy and transport agreements, cementing a partnership set to shape the South Caucasus corridor for decades to come.
The first-ever “WUF13 NGO Forum” in the history of the World Urban Forum (WUF) was held on 19 May 2026 at Azerbaijan’s initiative in Baku.
Germany will deploy a Patriot air-defence battery to Türkiye in the coming weeks as part of a NATO mission aimed at strengthening the alliance’s south-eastern flank, German officials have said.
Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has called for closer security coordination between Central Asia and China, warning that expanding trade and infrastructure links are exposing the region to increasingly sophisticated cross-border threats.
The World Urban Forum (WUF13) continues in Baku, Azerbaijan on 18 May, addressing the global housing crisis. The day’s agenda includes the official opening press conference, the WUF13 Urban Expo opening and a ministerial dialogue on the Nairobi Declaration to advance Africa's urban agenda.
United Nations World Urban Forum 13 continues in Baku, Azerbaijan on 19 May with sessions and roundtable discussions focused on strengthening dialogue and advancing cooperation in urban development. Organisers say there are nearly 3 billion people globally who face some form of housing inadequacy.
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Monday he had paused a planned attack on Iran after appeals from the leaders of Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, allowing negotiations to continue over a possible deal to end the conflict.
A 5.2 magnitude earthquake struck China’s Guangxi region early on Monday, killing two people and forcing more than 7,000 residents in Liuzhou to evacuate as rescue efforts continued.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC), warning that the situation poses a significant risk of cross-border spread in Central Africa.
In a sweeping diplomatic push in Baku, Georgia and Azerbaijan have signed a landmark package of energy and transport agreements, cementing a partnership set to shape the South Caucasus corridor for decades to come.
Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has called for closer security coordination between Central Asia and China, warning that expanding trade and infrastructure links are exposing the region to increasingly sophisticated cross-border threats.
Azerbaijan and Georgia have agreed to resume daily passenger train services on the Baku-Tbilisi-Baku route from 26 May, 2026, marking a major step in restoring regional rail connectivity after services were suspended in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Israeli forces intercepted dozens of Gaza-bound aid vessels in the eastern Mediterranean on Monday (18 May), prompting condemnation from the United Nations and Türkiye, while flotilla organisers said several ships continued sailing toward Gaza despite the operation.
Pakistan has deployed around 8,000 troops, fighter jets and air defence systems to Saudi Arabia under a mutual defence agreement, according to security officials and government sources familiar with the arrangement.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment