Uzbek initiatives serve to launch a new stage in the transformation of the Organisation of Turkic states

On October 6-7 of this year, the 12th summit of the Organisation of Turkic states was held in Gabala, Azerbaijan. Speaking at the event, President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev drew attention to a number of actual issues and put forward initiatives that are extremely important for the development of cooperation.

These proposals covered all areas of cooperation within the OTS and major Turkic projects which are at the center of the discussion. The ideas put forward by the Head of State confirmed once again that Uzbekistan’s intensification of relations with the "Turkic World" serves not tactical, but long-term - strategic goals.
Because in his speech, the Head of State emphasized the importance of bringing cooperation in a number of major areas to a new level.
The proposals put forward by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev are expected to further strengthen the positive transformational changes observed in the OTS format.
This will be reflected, first of all, in the strengthening of the political unity and cohesion of the Turkic states. In particular, within the framework of the 12th summit, the Head of State emphasized his support for the adoption of an agreement on strategic partnership, eternal friendship and brotherhood between the Turkic states.
This idea was warmly welcomed by the leaders of the participating states.
The reason is that the above agreement is considered as a key political document for the development of cooperation, which will serve as a solid foundation for bringing practical relations to a new level.
In addition, the adoption of the above document fully confirms the views that Uzbekistan is one of the main subjects in shaping a new model of future interstate relations in the Turkic area.
Because Uzbekistan is the author of the “Turkic World Charter”, adopted at the 11th summit of the Turkic World last year.
In addition, our country is pursuing the path of contractual and legal enrichment of relations with fraternal states in the format of bilateral cooperation.
In particular, since 2019 year Uzbekistan has managed to give a new status to relations with all parties participating in the organization.
This is clearly reflected in the fact that we have raised relations with Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan to the level of alliance, with Turkey and Kyrgyzstan to the level of comprehensive strategic cooperation, and with Turkmenistan and Hungary to the level of strategic partnership.
In this regard, it should be noted that in order to have practical significance of the above documents, interstate relations must be enriched with large-scale economic projects of multilateral interest.
Therefore, the President of Uzbekistan in his speech focused on economic issues as a priority. He stated that he sees deepening industrial cooperation as the main direction in the development of trade and economic relations between the countries. These words sounded like a strong appeal to all participating states on the importance of expanding the economic agenda.
In addition, the President of Uzbekistan stressed the importance of forming a space of new economic opportunities. This proposal, first of all, implies the creation of the most favorable conditions for trade, business and mutual investments, a legal framework and infrastructure.
It was emphasized that the participating states need to create strong institutional mechanisms to implement this idea.
In particular, the Head of State put forward the initiative to establish a Permanent Council of Turkic States on Economic Partnership, chaired by Deputy Prime Ministers. Proposals such as the creation of an industrial alliance and the creation of a "Green Transformation" consortium were also made.
Another economic direction that the President of Uzbekistan paid attention to is the transport sector. In particular, the Head of State confirmed the importance of Uzbekistan’s participation in the Middle Corridor implemented by the members of the OTS and drew attention to projects that could complement this transport corridor.
According to Shavkat Mirziyoyev, if the Middle Corridor is connected with the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway currently under construction and the promising Trans-Afghan corridor, a multi-sectoral, strategic highway system will be created
in our vast region.
In addition, the need to apply reasonable transit tariffs, introduce a digital customs procedure, and pursue a coordinated policy in the development of international transit corridors was emphasized.
All of the above ideas indicate that Uzbekistan is one of the major initiators of further strengthening the material foundations of economic cooperation.
This, in turn, fully meets the fundamental interests of our country. Because today the cooperation within the framework of the OTS ensures the economic well-being and social stability of Uzbekistan.
This is due to a number of factors.
Firstly, the role of the member states in the system of foreign economic relations of Uzbekistan is increasing. According to the latest indicators for 2024, the share of our country’s trade with the countries of the "Turkic World" approached $10 billion.
This figure corresponds to 15% of Uzbekistan’s total foreign trade. This, in turn, indicates that the group of countries that are members of the OTS and have observer status together is the third most important trading partner of Uzbekistan after China and Russia.
Moreover, the Turkic region has its own priorities as a trading partner.
Because the volume of exports and imports in Uzbekistan’s trade turnover with the OTS is relatively balanced. The trade structure is diversified. That is, the segment of added-value products prevails in Uzbekistan’s exports.
In addition, Turkic countries play an important role in stimulating domestic economic activity and creating new jobs in Uzbekistan. For example, the number of enterprises with the participation of OTS members in our country is showing consistent growth dynamics.
In 2025, their number will approach 4 thousand. This is an increase of 60% compared to 2019. As a result, now 20% of the total number of enterprises with foreign capital in Uzbekistan falls on OTS.
Secondly, there are still great opportunities for economic cooperation between OTS members that have not yet been fully realized.
In particular, OTS countries can establish industrial cooperation in priority areas, making effective use of their large human capital, raw material resources and industrial potential.
These processes can lead to the creation of a common Turkic brand. As a result, in the world market the competitiveness of products manufactured in the OTS area will increase several times.
In this regard, it is also worth noting that today there are all the favorable conditions for strengthening industrial cooperation.
This is primarily due to the strategically important geographical location of the Turkic countries.
By effectively using their geographical advantages, the Turkic countries can restore their historical leading positions in international trade relations and global supply chains.
At the same time, the participation of OTS members in various economic associations further facilitates their access to third-country markets.
For example, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan are members of the Eurasian Economic Union. Uzbekistan has an infrastructure for cooperation with South Asia. Azerbaijan has ports on the Caspian Sea. Hungary is a member of the European Union. Turkey, although not a member of the European Union, is part of the European Customs Union since 1995.
In addition, there are already successful examples of industrial cooperation between countries.
For example, UzAuto Motors, together with partners in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Azerbaijan, has established several Chevrolet car factories. Uzbek textile enterprises produce clothing for Turkish brands such as LC Waikiki and DeFacto.
The Uzbek company Global Textile is currently actively developing a textile cluster project in Azerbaijan. The project covers the entire production cycle, from cotton cultivation to finished products.
In turn, the production of building materials with a total budget of $100 million is being launched in Uzbekistan with the participation of the Azerbaijani company Matanat-A.
This is another example of industrial cooperation and technology transfer. Uzbekistan is interested in developing such partnerships and giving a system to cooperation processes.
That is why the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev put forward such complementary proposals as the establishment of a permanent council of Turkic states for economic cooperation and the creation of an industrial alliance.
Thus, Uzbekistan is laying the foundation for the creation of a common Turkic systematized industrial cooperation. Because the above proposals strengthen the institutional and organizational foundations of cooperation in the industrial sector.
These factors show that Uzbekistan’s initiatives in the economic sphere are aimed at moving from goals to rapid action and achieving concrete results.
Thirdly, Uzbekistan is one of the main beneficiaries of the transport corridors implemented within the framework of the OTS. The country’s foreign economic strategy prioritizes such goals as access to seaports and access to new markets.
Thus, the country can diversify the geography of foreign economic relations, stimulate exports and strengthen domestic production.
The achievement of these goals is a prerequisite for Uzbekistan’s is of great importance in achieving sustainable high economic growth and ensuring the socio-economic well-being of the population.
That is why the country is an active supporter of strengthening transport and communication links within the framework of the OTS.
Moreover, the role of the Middle Corridor in Uzbekistan’s foreign trade relations is already growing. According to reports, in 2024, the volume of cargo turnover of Uzbekistan through the port of Baku will reach 1 million tons. This route remains the shortest and most efficient way connecting Uzbekistan with the markets of Azerbaijan, Turkey and Europe.
However, the development of the Middle Corridor is not limited to the goals of Uzbekistan’s domestic agenda. The country is an active participant in several transport corridors at once. These are the Trans-Afghan and China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railways.
Their integration with the Middle Corridor will in fact mean the restoration of the historical Great Silk Road and the growth of Uzbekistan’s place in the renewed global economic model.
In conclusion, it should be mentioned that the Turkic States Organization
has become for Uzbekistan not only a platform for political and cultural dialogue, but also an important format for the development of result-oriented cooperation
with a group of states with similar strategic goals.
In this sense, it is important for Uzbekistan to further strengthen cooperation with the Turkic States and continue to contribute to common prosperity and development.

Azizjon Karimov,
Leading Researcher of the
Institute for Strategic and Regional studies
under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan