President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan participated in an informal summit of the Organization of Turkic States held in Budapest on May 21, as reported by the President’s press service. Source
The event, chaired by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, included Presidents Ilham Aliyev (Azerbaijan), Kassym-Jomart Tokayev (Kazakhstan), Sadyr Japarov (Kyrgyzstan), Recep Tayyip Erdoğan (Turkey), and Secretary-General Kubanychbek Omuraliev. Discussions focused on multifaceted cooperation within the Organization and practical collaboration.
President Mirziyoyev assessed the global landscape, noting intensifying geopolitical and geoeconomic tensions, regional conflicts, and the negative impacts of climate change. He stressed the importance of strengthening the Organization’s unified approach to international issues, emphasizing international law and the UN Charter.
Highlighting untapped potential within the Organization, President Mirziyoyev proposed several initiatives. Politically, he emphasized the importance of signing a treaty on strategic partnership, eternal friendship, and brotherhood among Turkic states—a document initiated by Uzbekistan—to strengthen long-term legal cooperation.
He focused on boosting trade, investment, and transport connectivity. To increase mutual trade, he suggested an online platform, “TÜRK-TRADE,” and a practical program to increase trade volume. To improve cargo transport along the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, he advocated for “single window” and “green corridor” systems, proposing a Tashkent-based international forum on multimodal transport and logistics in November.
Welcoming the establishment of the Turkic Investment Fund, he proposed a joint venture company for innovative projects and a unified portal showcasing investment opportunities. He also suggested a program to develop major industrial capacities in chemicals, energy, mining, light industry, pharmaceuticals, leather, food, and construction.
Regarding climate change, he noted the initiatives from the recent Samarkand International Climate Forum, supporting Prime Minister Orbán’s initiative to establish a drought prevention institute in Budapest. A joint roadmap to address drought and environmental issues was proposed.
President Mirziyoyev also addressed cooperation in science, culture, and education, highlighting the importance of the International Turkic State University in Tashkent. He suggested improvements to the structure and operations of TÜRKSOY (International Organization of Turkic Culture) and hosting the Turkic Culture Foundation Council meeting in Uzbekistan.
He concluded by congratulating Nobel laureate Aziz Sancar on receiving the Alisher Navoi International Prize. The summit concluded with the adoption of the Budapest Declaration and other documents outlining priorities for cooperation.