Organization of Turkic States Informal Summit (2026)

The Organization of Turkic States (OTS) Summit of Heads of State, under the theme "Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development", will be held on 15 May 2026 in Turkistan, hosted by the Republic of Kazakhstan and recognized as the spiritual capital of the Turkic World. The summit, chaired by Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, was attended by the heads of state of OTS member and observer countries, the OTS Secretary General, members of the Council of Elders, and leaders of Turkic cooperation organizations. At the conclusion of the summit, the Turkistan Declaration was adopted.

^{Key centers and streets of Turkistan adorned with the flags of member countries attending the summit, 15 May 2026 - (Anadolu Agency)}

According to the announcement by the OTS Secretariat, the summit serves as a vital platform to advance strategic dialogue among Turkic states on promoting sustainable economic growth by harnessing the transformative potential of artificial intelligence, digital innovation, and emerging technologies, enhancing public services, and strengthening regional connectivity.

A wide range of topics, from digital transformation to artificial intelligence cooperation, were discussed at the summit, with a focus on reinforcing the common technological vision of Turkic states.

Organization of Turkic States (OTS) Summit of Heads of State preparations were carried out extensively in the city of Turkistan. Main streets, squares, and key centers of the city were decorated with the flags of member countries participating in the summit; city-wide cleaning, environmental arrangements, and infrastructure works were implemented. It was stated that the Congress Hall, where the main summit meeting will be held, has a capacity of approximately 1,000 people. Additionally, it was reported that a large-scale structure reflecting traditional Kazakh yurt architecture has been constructed for the summit.

^{Key centers and streets of Turkistan adorned with the flags of member countries attending the summit, 15 May 2026 - (Anadolu Agency)}

As part of the preparations, a large-scale monument titled “Taikazan” has been installed at the city entrance. According to information from the Kazinform International News Agency, the structure is 10.4 meters high and 12 meters in diameter. It is noted that the new Taikazan is approximately five times larger than the historical Taikazan located at the Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yesevi. The architectural design of the structure is said to resemble the flag of the Organization of Turkic States when viewed from above.

A new ethno-tourism complex has also been opened in the city. Centered on an area of approximately 707 square meters, a large yurt structure has been built with a diameter of 31 meters and a height of 15.5 meters. It is planned that the complex will host forums, ethno-festivals, international exhibitions, and cultural events. In the section named “Craftsmen’s City”, works by 17 craftsmen invited from different countries will be exhibited.

^{A structure resembling a traditional Kazakh yurt constructed in Turkistan for the summit, 15 May 2026 - (Anadolu Agency)}

According to statements by the Turkistan city administration, approximately 70 hotels and accommodation facilities in the city have been prepared to host domestic and foreign delegations.

Security measures across the city have also been enhanced prior to the summit. Additional law enforcement units have been deployed to Turkistan from the regions of Almaty, Shymkent, Aktobe, Jambyl, and Kyzylorda; military personnel under the National Guard and the Ministry of Defense have been included in security operations. Six special control points have been established at entry points to the city, and vehicles are being inspected at these checkpoints. Deputy Head of the Regional Emergency Management Directorate Askar Seysenov announced that specialized intervention and fire-fighting vehicles have been stationed at 16 distinct venues used during the summit. Additionally, a special aircraft has been allocated, and an additional aircraft has been brought in from the Kyzylorda region.

A temporary ban on drone flights has been announced for the city center during the summit. It has been stated that the Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yesevi will be closed to visitors on 14–15 May, and traffic restrictions will be implemented on certain streets and roads. It was also announced that schools and colleges in Turkistan will switch to remote learning during the summit days.

President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdoğan traveled to Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan, on an official visit prior to the summit. On Thursday, 14 May, Erdoğan held a one-on-one meeting with Kazakhstan’s President Tokayev at the Independence Palace and participated in the sixth meeting of the Turkey-Kazakhstan High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council. Following their talks, the two leaders held a joint press conference and attended the closing ceremony of the Turkey-Kazakhstan Business Forum.

^{President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan meets with Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev in Turkistan, Kazakhstan, on the sidelines of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) Informal Summit, 15 May 2026 - (Anadolu Agency)}

During the OTS Informal Summit in Turkistan, Erdoğan also met with Uzbekistan’s President Mirziyoyev. This closed-door meeting, attended by Turkey’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Hakan Fidan, addressed bilateral relations and regional and global issues. Erdoğan stated during the meeting that the two countries will continue to enhance cooperation in all areas, including defense industry and trade.

During the Turkish delegation’s departure to Turkistan, Kazakhstan’s Prime Minister Oljas Bekenov, Turkey’s Ambassador to Astana Mustafa Kapucu, and other officials bid farewell to Erdoğan at Nursultan Nazarbayev International Airport. President Erdoğan, along with Emine Erdoğan and the Turkish delegation, proceeded to Turkistan.

Prior to the summit meeting at the level of heads of state, the OTS Council of Foreign Ministers held its meeting in Turkistan. Turkey’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Hakan Fidan participated in this meeting.

The Organization of Turkic States (OTS) was established on 3 October 2009 through the Nakhchivan Agreement signed by Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Turkey. During its founding process, the organization’s official name was designated as the “Council for Cooperation of Turkic-Speaking Countries”, while it was commonly known in public discourse as the “Turkic Council”.

With Uzbekistan’s accession to the organization in 2019, the number of member states increased to five. At the 8th Leaders Summit held in Istanbul on 12 November 2021, the organization’s name was officially changed to the “Organization of Turkic States”.

In 2024, following work conducted by the Turkic Common Alphabet Commission, consensus was reached on the proposal for a 34-letter Common Turkic Alphabet.

The total land area of OTS member states is approximately 4.25 million square kilometers, and their combined population is approximately 160 million. As of 2026, the member states are Turkey, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan, while Turkmenistan, Hungary, and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus hold observer status.

The following heads of state participated in the summit as representatives of member countries: Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev (in his capacity as chair), Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev, Kyrgyzstan’s President Sadyr Japarov, Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, and Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus President Tufan Erhürman also attended as an observer. OTS Secretary General Kubanychbek Omuraliev also participated in the meeting.

Representatives from Turkic cooperation organizations present at the summit include: TÜRKSOY Secretary General Sultan Raev, TÜRKPA President Ramil Hasan, Turkish Culture and Heritage Foundation President Aktoti Raimkulova, Turkish Academy President Şahin Mustafayev, and Turkish Investment Fund President Bagdat Amrayev. In addition, members of the Council of Elders also attended the meeting.

^{Family photo of the Organization of Turkic States Informal Summit, 15 May 2026 - (Anadolu Agency)}

Upon arriving at the Turkistan Congress Center, President Erdoğan was received by the host, Kazakhstan’s President Tokayev. Prior to the summit session, the leaders gathered for a family photo.

Tokayev highlighted the historical significance of hosting the OTS summit in Turkistan. In his speech, he emphasized the contribution of Khoja Ahmed Yesevi to the worldview development of brotherly nations. He stated that Kazakhstan attaches special importance to Yesevi’s ideas and, in this context, has for the first time established the Khoja Ahmed Yesevi Order at the state level, with the first such award presented to Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

Noting that the world is passing through a complex and unstable geopolitical period, Tokayev said: "In a turbulent period, the unity of Turkic states holds special importance, as we are united by a common history spanning centuries."

Tokayev reported that the Turkistan region has experienced 9.3 percent economic growth and attracted $3.5 billion in investment. He noted that with Uzbekistan’s support, a new mosque has opened in Turkistan, which he described as a historical symbol of friendship between the Kazakh and Uzbek peoples.

Regarding technical cooperation proposals, Tokayev recommended developing joint projects in digitalization, artificial intelligence, and space technologies, and mutual recognition of electronic documents and digital signatures among Turkic states. He called for joint efforts in space projects such as satellite communications, navigation, and monitoring systems, and regarded the launch of the "CubeSat-12U" scientific satellite as a significant step. He proposed establishing a "Network of OTS Centers for Artificial Intelligence" and suggested the creation of a common Information Technology and AI center under the name "Turkic AI". Tokayev emphasized that the Turkish Investment Fund should play a more active role in supporting startups and infrastructure projects, recalling that the fund has reached a capital base of $600 million. He also proposed organizing artificial intelligence and programming Olympiads for youth across Turkic countries.

Tokayev expressed support for Turkey’s initiative to establish the “OTS+” format. He called for the preparation of an international agreement to preserve the cultural heritage of the Turkic world and announced that scientific and cultural activities will be conducted at the Turkic Civilization Center, established in Turkistan.

President Erdoğan expressed his fortune in being in Turkistan, the city of Khoja Ahmed Yesevi, and thanked Kazakhstan’s President Tokayev for hosting the summit. He emphasized that the ancient city of Turkistan is a living monument to the shared memory of the Turkic peoples, stretching from the Orkhon Inscriptions to Divanü Lügati’t-Türk, Kutadgu Bilig, and Dede Korkut.

^{President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan speaks at the Organization of Turkic States Informal Summit in Turkistan, Kazakhstan, 15 May 2026 - (Anadolu Agency)}

Erdoğan expressed his delight at seeing Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus President Tufan Erhürman at the Turkistan summit, saying: "I wish for the Turkic world to strengthen its political, economic, and cultural relations with the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus."

Erdoğan found the summit’s theme of "Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development" timely and stated that 115 years after Gaspıralı’s slogan of "Unity in Language, Thought, and Action," it is now necessary to add "Unity in Digital Vision." He emphasized that this vision must be built upon a qualified human resource base, strong digital infrastructure, and a data-driven public administration approach.

On cybersecurity, Erdoğan stated: "Cybersecurity is as vital and indispensable in today’s world as security on land, air, and sea. During our upcoming presidency, we aim to further advance coordination and cooperation in cybersecurity within the Organization of Turkic States."

Erdoğan noted Turkey’s appreciation for cooperation between the United Nations Technology Bank in Gebze and OTS member and observer states. He emphasized the importance of using the Common Turkic Alphabet across a broad spectrum—from education and culture to academic cooperation and digital transformation. He stated that the declaration of 15 December as "World Turkic Language Family Day" during UNESCO’s 43rd General Conference in Samarkand in 2025 was a shared achievement by all.

Regarding regional developments, Erdoğan expressed support for the immediate implementation of the "OTS+" format and noted that crises in the immediate neighborhood underscore the strategic value of solidarity within the Turkic world. He affirmed Turkey’s readiness to share its experience in defense industry shaped by high technology with OTS members and emphasized the importance of holding meetings of defense industry institutions within the organization.

Erdoğan stated that Turkey has designed the COP31 Climate Summit to be held in November in Turkey with an approach highlighting the opportunities offered by artificial intelligence and digital technologies. He announced Turkey’s candidacy for the 2027 Director-General election of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization and expressed support for Dr. Mehdi Eker for this position. He expressed his delight that Turkey will host the next summit in Ankara at the end of this year.

President Aliyev stated in his speech that after the liberation of Shusha, Azerbaijan’s cultural capital, the first city it reconnected with was Turkistan, emphasizing that ancient cities, like peoples, are brothers. He noted that the international weight of the OTS has increased, strengthening the organization’s role and position in global processes, and affirmed Azerbaijan’s continued efforts to deepen cooperation.

^{President Ilham Aliyev speaks at the Organization of Turkic States Informal Summit in Turkistan, Kazakhstan, 15 May 2026 - (Anadolu Agency)}

Aliyev noted that cooperation with Turkic states in digital development has been successful. He stated that the "Digital Silk Road" project is being implemented between Europe and Asia, and that the Trans-Caspian Fiber Optic Cable Line, part of this project, is scheduled to enter service in the coming months. He underscored that under current global geopolitical conditions, the importance of the Middle Corridor has grown further, and that the Zangezur Corridor currently under construction will become one of its key components..

President Japarov emphasized that the activities of the Organization of Turkic States hold special significance for Kyrgyzstan, stating: "The growing potential and prestige of the organization clearly demonstrate the strength of our friendship and unity."

Japarov highlighted Kyrgyzstan’s steps in digital transformation and announced that the Kyrgyz Digital Law officially entered into force in 2026. He noted that citizens can access 195 public services entirely online via the "North Portal" (portal.tunduk.kg), with all procedures—from passport applications to real estate and vehicle purchases—being conducted via mobile phone. He reported that 80 percent of the population aged 16–75 actively uses the portal. Over the past five years, the number of electronic services delivered to citizens has reached 67 million, with over 12 million of these services conducted in just the last four months. He stated that the volume of electronic transactions by state institutions has exceeded 5 billion, and transactions between the state and business community have surpassed 1.7 billion.

^{Kyrgyzstan President Sadyr Japarov speaks at the Organization of Turkic States Informal Summit in Turkistan, Kazakhstan, 15 May 2026 - (Anadolu Agency)}

Japarov noted that Kyrgyzstan has launched new undergraduate and graduate programs in universities in the fields of artificial intelligence, digital law, and blockchain technology. He also announced the establishment of the National Council for Artificial Intelligence Development to align with global technological trends and confirmed ongoing work on a National Artificial Intelligence Center.

Japarov reported that according to the International Chainalysis Index, Kyrgyzstan ranks 19th globally in accepting and working with cryptocurrencies. He stated that Kyrgyzstan and Turkey have developed a draft agreement proposing the establishment of a special council within the OTS to combat crime and implement a joint digital system for tracking wanted persons, with the goal of signing the agreement at the OTS Interior Ministers Meeting in Astana in September.

Japarov recalled the signing of the agreement at the OTS Transport Ministers Meeting in Bishkek on 23 April, which introduced electronic supplementary documents for international freight transport, initiated by Kyrgyzstan. He congratulated Turkey and Uzbekistan on their participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup and extended best wishes for their success. He invited member states’ delegations and athletes to the 6th World Nomad Games, to be hosted by Kyrgyzstan in September.

President Mirziyoyev noted the increasing global conflicts, deepening trust crisis in international relations, and weakening influence of global institutions, stating: "The integration of the Turkic world is a long-term strategic issue directly affecting the fate of our peoples." He observed that the OTS has transformed into an effective international structure in recent years and noted that the combined economic size of member states exceeded $2.4 trillion as of 2025.

Mirziyoyev emphasized that the summit’s theme of artificial intelligence and digital development is no coincidence, highlighting the contributions of great scholars of the Turkic-Islamic world—Muhammad al-Khwarizmi, Ahmed al-Farghani, Abu Rayhan al-Biruni, and Mirza Ulugh Beg—in mathematics, astronomy, and algorithms, which laid the foundation for today’s artificial intelligence technologies.

Mirziyoyev proposed establishing a strategic cooperation network in artificial intelligence within the OTS, stating: "We propose developing the concept of the Digital Turkic Corridor, connecting regional data centers through high-speed communication channels."

Mirziyoyev emphasized the role of TÜRKSOY in the Turkic world. He welcomed the opening of a TÜRKSOY office within the Center of Islamic Civilization in Tashkent and stated that the center’s collaboration with TÜRKSOY and the Turkish Academy will create a valuable common "big data" platform uniting the historical and cultural heritage of Turkic peoples. He proposed establishing a "Turkic Cybersecurity Alliance" within the OTS to protect cybersecurity and digital infrastructure. He stressed the need for joint action on climate change and environmental issues and proposed establishing a "Turkic States Climate Risk Monitoring System" based on satellite data and suggested declaring 2027 the "Year of Nature Conservation" within the OTS.

President Erhürman expressed his satisfaction at meeting the leaders of other Turkic states in Turkistan, the spiritual capital of the Turkic world. He stated that the unity within the Organization of Turkic States is not merely diplomatic support but a strong message of solidarity demonstrating that the Turkish Cypriot people are not alone: "Today’s consultations under the theme 'Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development' are of great importance not only for technological transformation but also for shaping our common future. I believe that under the umbrella of the Organization of Turkic States, even stronger cooperation can be established, and we wish for our relations to be strengthened in all areas."

^{TCNC President Erhürman speaks at the Organization of Turkic States Informal Summit in Turkistan, Kazakhstan, 15 May 2026 - (Anadolu Agency)}

He emphasized that the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, with its young and dynamic population, higher education capacity, and strategic geographic location, has the potential to serve as a vital hub connecting Turkic states with the Eastern Mediterranean. He drew attention to the long-standing restrictions faced by the Turkish Cypriot people in all areas of life—including science, sports, culture, economy, trade, transportation, and international relations—as amounting to the limitation of fundamental human rights of an entire people.

TÜRKSOY Secretary General Sultan Raev emphasized the importance of the Turkic world acting collectively during its technological transformation, stating: "We will be among the societies that produce, develop, and use artificial intelligence for the benefit of humanity." Raev added: "Our goal is not merely to produce technology, but to develop it through a shared culture, shared language, shared memory, and a human-centered civilization approach. This is our greatest strength."

At the conclusion of the summit, the "Turkistan Declaration" was adopted. The document was signed on 15 May 2026 in Turkistan in Azerbaijani, Kazakh, Kyrgyz, Turkish, and Uzbek languages. The heads of state who signed the declaration are: Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev, Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Kyrgyzstan’s President Sadyr Japarov, Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, and Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. The declaration contains 44 articles.

The declaration confirms that artificial intelligence and digital development are strategic priorities for the Turkic World. It also references the previous summit: the OTS Summit held in Gabala on 7 October 2025 under the theme "Regional Peace and Security." The outcomes of the OTS Informal Foreign Ministers Meetings held in Istanbul on 7 March 2026 and on the sidelines of the 5th Antalya Diplomacy Forum on 18 April 2026 were also positively acknowledged.

The declaration reaffirmed that artificial intelligence and digital development are strategic priorities for the Turkic World and emphasized the collective will to deepen multilateral cooperation in these areas, enhance innovation capacity, and support inclusive prosperity.

The proposals by Kazakhstan’s President Tokayev at the Gabala Summit to establish a "OTS Digital Innovation Center" and a "Cybersecurity Council" were welcomed, and member states were urged to work with the OTS Secretariat to develop cooperation models for these initiatives.

The initiative to develop a comprehensive "Roadmap for Artificial Intelligence and Creative Economy Projects" within the OTS framework was noted. The importance of adopting the concept of a "Digital Turkic World" was emphasized. Support was expressed for Turkey’s initiative to develop the Turkish Large Language Model and related artificial intelligence tools. These efforts aim to strengthen communication among Turkic languages, contribute to education and health technologies, preserve cultural heritage, and support economic integration.

The establishment of an Artificial Intelligence Center and an Artificial Intelligence Academy, along with high-performance computing infrastructure in Azerbaijan, was commended. The development of Azerbaijan’s first legal awareness platform based on artificial intelligence and its first national large language model was also positively noted.

The declaration called for promoting digital infrastructure initiatives such as the Digital Silk Road Project and enhancing cooperation in developing high-speed connectivity, high-performance computing infrastructure, data centers, cloud technologies, and next-generation networks.

The "e-CMR" Agreement signed in Bishkek on 23 April 2026 was welcomed. Member states were urged to complete their evaluation of the draft agreement on mutual recognition of digital signatures initiated by Kyrgyzstan. The integration of National Single Window Systems with e-Permit, e-CMR, and e-Government information systems was included, aiming to reduce administrative burdens in border crossings and freight transport, and to strengthen digital customs and transport practices along the Trans-Caspian International East-West Middle Corridor.

Space activities were identified in the declaration as one of the priority areas for cooperation among member states. The continuation of the joint project for the development and ground testing of the "CubeSat-12U" class scientific nanosatellite was recognized as a practical example of effective multilateral cooperation.

The declaration called for increasing joint programs in digital literacy, artificial intelligence education, skill development, and talent mobility, with a focus on youth, women, and STEM fields. Uzbekistan’s proposal to host the "Turkic Science and Innovation Days" in Tashkent in October 2026 was welcomed. The declaration also noted the designation of Hive as the 2026 Turkic World Youth Capital.

The declaration supported the efforts of the Turkish Culture and Heritage Foundation to develop subsequent editions of the Turkic Catalogue of tangible and intangible cultural heritage. The first volumes of the Folklore Anthology presented during the 43rd UNESCO General Conference in Samarkand on 3–4 November 2025 were noted for their digitalization features, including QR codes. The establishment of the "Turkic Heritage" digital platform by the Turkish Culture and Heritage Foundation, aiming to systematically document the history, culture, and contemporary life of Turkic peoples, was welcomed.

The declaration emphasized the importance of supporting digital transformation in agriculture among Turkic states and called for enhanced cooperation to expand the use of digital technologies in the agricultural sector under the framework of the OTS Strategic Roadmap for Agricultural Cooperation. The development and implementation of the OTS Digital Agriculture Data Platform was supported.

The declaration welcomed the valuable contributions of Hungary, Turkmenistan, and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus as observer states to OTS activities. The OTS Secretary General was instructed to coordinate the implementation of commitments, organize annual ministerial meetings and expert forums on artificial intelligence and digital development, and explore the possibility of organizing an international OTS conference on this theme in the near future. The Secretariat and the competent authorities of member states were urged to prepare and adopt the "OTS Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development Action Plan" by the end of 2026.

Support was reiterated for Kyrgyzstan’s global initiative to host the 6th World Nomad Games from 31 August to 6 September 2026. Congratulations were extended to Turkey for hosting the 13th OTS Summit. The leaders also thanked Kazakhstan’s President Tokayev and the Kazakh people for their hospitality.