Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has proposed a program for 100 joint investment and industrial projects among members of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS).
Speaking at the OTS summit in Ankara on October 30, Mirziyoyev said the “Turkic World – 100” program would support industrial cooperation and help companies from OTS countries compete in international markets.
The president proposed focusing on processing rare and strategic minerals, manufacturing renewable energy equipment, and producing goods with higher added value. He suggested financing the program through the Turkic Investment Fund and international financial institutions.
To protect business interests, Mirziyoyev proposed a multilateral treaty on mutual legal assistance in commercial matters that would allow court decisions to be recognized and enforced across member countries. He also proposed a digital platform for exchanging legal documents.
In transportation, he called for a network of logistics hubs managed jointly by OTS countries, with a focus on the Middle Corridor trade route.
Mirziyoyev also called for an agreement that would expand opportunities to travel using national identity cards instead of passports and simplify border-crossing procedures and rules governing stays in other member countries.
To attract tourists, he proposed establishing a Turkic Tourism Alliance to promote the region’s historic cities, natural attractions, and cultural heritage.
Uzbekistan is prepared to offer 200 scholarships a year to students from other Turkic states through its New Uzbekistan Scholarship program.
Mirziyoyev thanked participants for supporting Uzbekistan’s proposal to designate 2027 the OTS Year of Nature Protection.
He called for regular consultations on international and regional issues to coordinate members’ positions and promote their shared interests. For engagement with third countries, he proposed an “OTS Plus” format, starting with meetings of ministers responsible for specific sectors.
Alisher Qodirov, leader of the Milliy Tiklanish (National Revival) Democratic Party, wrote on Telegram that cooperation among Turkic countries should rest on shared history and cultural ties rather than political or economic interests alone. He argued that alliances based solely on economic benefits could weaken as national interests change.
Uzbek diplomat Mirvokhid Azimov was appointed OTS secretary-general at the October 30 summit. He became the first representative of Uzbekistan to hold the position, succeeding Kyrgyz diplomat Kubanychbek Omuraliev. Participants also agreed to hold the next summit in Uzbekistan in 2027.
