BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 24. The second meeting of ministers of industry, science, technology, and innovation of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) was held in Baku, Trend reports.
The event was attended by Azerbaijan's Minister of Economy Mikayil Jabbarov, OTS Secretary General Kubanychbek Omuraliev, Kyrgyzstan's Minister of Economy and Trade Bakyt Sydykov, Minister of Industry and Technology of Turkey Mehmet Fatih Kacir, and other official representatives.
Speaking at the event, Azerbaijan's Minister of Economy Mikayil Jabbarov expressed confidence that significant results will be achieved during Azerbaijan's chairmanship of the OTS.
“Earlier this month, the 12th summit of the Organization of Turkic States was held in Gabala, and Azerbaijan assumed the chairmanship of the organization for the coming year. We are convinced that during the chairmanship, significant results will be achieved thanks to further strengthening of cooperation,” he said.
The minister noted that the Gabala Declaration pays particular attention to the development of sustainable and digital technologies, as well as the integration of innovation into the industrial strategies of participating countries.
“This is an important step towards strengthening the innovative basis for economic development in Turkic states,” he said.
Furthermore, Jabbarov emphasized that multilateral relations within the Organization of Turkic States are developing in an upward direction.
“In recent years, multilateral relations within the OTG have been developing in an upward direction, which makes a significant contribution to the economies of our countries. Azerbaijan has established strategic partnership or alliance relations with all member states of the OTS,” he said.
Moreover, it was noted that Azerbaijan's trade turnover with the CSTO countries continued to grow over the first nine months of this year. The heads of our states have set a goal to continue strengthening this positive trend. In this context, Azerbaijan is taking important steps to deepen economic ties with Turkic countries and simplify mutual trade.
The minister recalled that Azerbaijan and Türkiye currently have a preferential trade agreement in place, as well as free trade agreements with other member states of the organization.
“Under these agreements, preferential regimes are applied to mutual trade operations, which contribute to the acceleration of trade and economic integration in the region,” Jabbarov said.
He emphasized that such agreements create conditions for integrating production chains between Turkic states, expanding joint industrial and export projects, and conducting trade on a more liberal and efficient basis.
OTS Secretary General Kubanychbek Omuraliev stated that the organization's updated action plan for 2025-2026 forms the basis for the technological integration of Turkic states.
He noted that the updated action plan aims to strengthen cooperation among member countries in the fields of artificial intelligence, digital and green technologies, standardization, space research, and support for small and medium-sized enterprises.
Omuraliev emphasized that the ministerial meeting is taking place shortly after the successful 12th OTS Summit in Gabala and represents an important step from strategic partnership to technological integration of the Turkic states. Since the first meeting in Istanbul last year, cooperation in the fields of industry, science, technology, and innovation has expanded significantly.
“Among the results achieved are the progress made by working groups and subgroups in implementing the 2024 action plan, the exchange of experience in the field of artificial intelligence and digital transformation, and the development of an innovative ecosystem through international technology festivals such as Technofest in Turkey and Istanbul, as well as Innoweek in Uzbekistan,” he said.
He called the first meeting of heads of intellectual property institutions of the OIC countries in Bishkek an important event, as well as the promotion of the initiative to create the Common Turkic Patent Organization (CTPO) as a key regional project for the protection of intellectual property and support for innovation.
In addition, Omuraliev highlighted the successes of member countries in the field of space technology, including the CubeSat project, Türkiye's educational programs, and the activities of the Turkish Academy of Space Research, which promotes scientific exchange among young people.
"The updated action plan for 2025-2026 forms a future-oriented framework that will enable Turkic states to become a dynamic center of innovation and technology. New initiatives include the creation of a joint TCC Research, Development and Innovation Fund and the strengthening of the role of the Turkic Chamber of Commerce and Industry (TCCI) in promoting industrial cooperation and investment partnerships," he said.
Kyrgyzstan's Minister of Economy and Commerce Bakyt Sydykov, in turn, noted that accelerated industrial development is one of the important priorities of Kyrgyzstan's national economic policy.
“Our state industrial policy is aimed at achieving sustainable industrial development, ensuring growth in its share of gross domestic product, and increasing the export potential and competitiveness of industrial products,” he said.
Sydykov noted that a significant part of Kyrgyzstan's trade turnover with the OTS countries consists of goods intended for industrial needs, which indicates the development of industrial cooperation. He added that since the beginning of the year, Kyrgyzstan's trade turnover with the OTS countries has amounted to $1.7 billion.
According to him, hundreds of new industrial enterprises in mechanical engineering, light industry, and food processing have opened in Kyrgyzstan over the past three years.
"Kyrgyzstan strives to develop joint projects, increase mutual investments, and improve conditions for business. We are confident that this will enable all our countries to achieve high results and move forward with confidence in the face of global challenges. In this regard, it is important to note the role of the Turkic Investment Fund. We express our hope that its project activities will enable the implementation of industrial projects that are important for all parties," Sydykov added.
Meanwhile, Kazakhstan's Deputy Minister of Industry and Construction Rakhymzhan Isakulov noted that Kazakhstan proposes to hold the third meeting of the OTS ministers of industry, science, technology, and innovation in 2026 in Astana.
“We will be happy to host this important event at a high level and continue the constructive and substantive agenda of our meeting,” he said.
Isakulov noted that Kazakhstan is ready to intensify and strengthen cooperation ties within the OTG and provide all necessary support for the implementation of promising investment projects.
"We are pleased to report that our cooperation within the organization is becoming more strategic in nature, which is necessary to promote the sustainable development of competitiveness and technological sovereignty of member countries. We consider the updating and supplementation of the action plan for industrial and technological innovation cooperation for 2025 and 2026, taking into account the practical recommendations of experts and the strategic goals of forming a common industrial and technological space, to be an important outcome of today's meeting," he stressed.
Turkish Minister of Industry and Technology Mehmet Fatih Kacir, in turn, said that Baku is strengthening its role as a center of cooperation between Turkic states in industry and technology.
According to him, holding the meeting in the capital of Azerbaijan symbolizes the city's strategic importance for the economic and technological development of the Turkic world.
He emphasized the strategic importance of Baku: "Throughout history, the city has occupied a special place in the Turkic world, setting the direction for trade, energy, industry, and technology. Its rich historical heritage, strategic location, and dynamic structure make Baku one of the cities that best reflect the common identity of the Turkic world and its vision for the future. Our meeting today reaffirms the strategic role of this city in the economic and technological future of the Turkic countries and strengthens the fraternal ties between our states in achieving common goals."
Kacir emphasized the importance of cooperation between OTS member countries in the industrial and technological spheres and expressed confidence that joint efforts would strengthen the region's innovative potential.
A joint declaration was signed following the meeting. The document was signed by Azerbaijan's Minister of Economy Mikayil Jabbarov and Secretary General of the Organization of Turkic States Kubanychbek Omuraliev.
