On May 21, the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev took part in the informal summit of the Organization of Turkic States, held in Budapest.
The event, chaired by the Prime Minister of Hungary Viktor Orbán, was also attended by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, the President of the Kyrgyz Republic Sadyr Japarov, the President of Türkiye Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, and the Secretary General of the Organization of Turkic States Kubanychbek Omuraliev.
In line with the summit agenda, the participants exchanged views on the current state and prospects of multifaceted cooperation within the Organization, and discussed pressing issues of practical collaboration.
At the beginning of his address, the President of Uzbekistan provided an in-depth assessment of the evolving global situation, marked by growing geopolitical and geoeconomic tensions, the escalation of regional conflicts, and the adverse effects of climate change.
The President emphasized the importance of strengthening common approaches and unified positions among the member states of the Organization in addressing pressing international issues, based primarily on the principles of international law and the UN Charter.
Turning to the development of practical cooperation within the Organization of Turkic States, the Uzbekistan Leader highlighted the vast untapped potential and proposed several new proposals.
In the political sphere, the President emphasized the relevance of signing the Treaty on Strategic Partnership, Eternal Friendship, and Brotherhood of the Turkic States, an initiative put forward by the Uzbek side. He expressed confidence that this document would contribute to further unification of the peoples and strengthen the long-term legal foundation for multilateral cooperation.
Special attention was given to developing trade, economic, investment, transport, and communication cooperation. To increase the share of mutual trade in the total foreign trade turnover of the Organization’s member states, the President proposed the creation of an online platform titled “TURK-TRADE” and the adoption of a Practical Program to boost trade volumes.
To support the growth of freight transportation along the Trans-Caspian International Corridor and to simplify customs and border procedures, the President of Uzbekistan called for the swift implementation of “Single Window” systems and “Green Corridors” along this route. To expand cooperation in this area, an International Multimodal Transport and Logistics Forum of Turkic States is scheduled in Tashkent this November.
Welcoming the establishment of the Turkic Investment Fund, the President also emphasized the importance of creating a Joint Venture Company to support innovative projects, as well as a unified portal showcasing the investment opportunities of the Organization’s member states.
To strengthen cooperation in industrial production, the President proposed developing a special program to establish large-scale manufacturing capacities in the chemical, energy, mining, textile, pharmaceutical, leather and footwear, food, and construction industries.
Addressing the climate agenda, the Head of State expressed satisfaction that the recent International Climate Forum held in Samarkand had resulted in several important initiatives to strengthen global and regional cooperation in green development. The initiative of the Prime Minister of Hungary Viktor Orbán to launch a Drought Prevention Institute in Budapest was also welcomed.
To support its activities and ensure broader engagement in targeted projects, the President proposed the development of a joint roadmap for drought prevention and addressing environmental challenges.
The President of Uzbekistan also devoted special attention to advancing cooperation in science, culture, and education. He emphasized that the opening of the International University of Turkic States in Tashkent would be a valuable contribution to implementing educational programs and training talented youth from the Organization’s member countries.
The Uzbekistan Leader further proposed the development of recommendations to improve the functioning and structure of the International Organization of Turkic Culture – TURKSOY, as well as to hold the next meeting of the Turkic Culture Foundation Council in Uzbekistan.
In conclusion of his address, the President of Uzbekistan congratulated the distinguished Turkish scientist and Nobel Laureate in Chemistry, Aziz Sancar, on being awarded the Alisher Navoi International Prize.
The summit concluded by adopting the Budapest Declaration, along with several other documents covering priority areas of cooperation.
