BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 19. The Organization of Turkic States (OTS) plans to develop a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to strengthen humanitarian cooperation, which will make a significant contribution to the future activities of the Turkic Red Crescent Network, said OTS Secretary General Kurbanychbek Omuraliev, Trend reports.
He made the announcement during a meeting of the Red Crescent Network leaders of OTS member states in Baku.
He emphasized that humanitarian cooperation is a “golden principle” of the organization.
“Among this cooperation, humanitarian collaboration is the golden principle, reminding us why we have come together - not only to develop, but to care, protect, and serve,” the secretary general said.
Omuraliev highlighted that the creation of the Red Crescent Network, based on the MoU signed in October 2024 in Bishkek, laid the foundation for a strong humanitarian alliance inspired by compassion and shared cultural values. Key achievements include the signing of a multilateral agreement to establish a Civil Protection Mechanism during the OTS summit in Bishkek in November 2024.
According to him, this legal framework significantly enhances the collective capacity of member states to respond to emergencies and natural disasters, allowing the Turkic network to act more effectively in times of crisis.
Omuraliev noted that the meeting comes at a time when the world faces serious challenges, including rising conflicts, disagreements, and polarization, while stability and security are increasingly fragile. At the same time, the devastating effects of climate change - including earthquakes, floods, wildfires, and droughts - are becoming more frequent and severe, underscoring the urgent need for coordinated responses.
“In this context, the mission of the Red Crescent Network becomes vital, as it embodies the centuries-old values of Turkic peoples: generosity, compassion, and solidarity in the face of adversity. I am confident that the outcomes of today’s meeting will mark a turning point in humanitarian cooperation among OTS countries and elevate it to a new level,” the secretary general added.