Organization of Turkic States: in the future - multifaceted cooperation

On March 16, 2023, an Extraordinary Summit of the Heads of State of the Organization of Turkic States (OTG) was held in Ankara on the topic of emergency management and humanitarian assistance. The event is notable for the fact that for the first time the heads of the Turkic countries gathered at the top-level platform to discuss issues related to the development of cooperation in the fight against natural disasters and their consequences.
At the summit, held in solidarity with Turkey in connection with the severe earthquakes experienced in the southeastern regions, the leaders of the countries worked out mechanisms for multilateral cooperation and coordination within the framework of the OTG in the fight against emergencies. It is important to prevent the recurrence of similar disasters in other countries, to be ready to act in such cases. 
As you know, the member States and observers of the OTG showed great solidarity and extended a helping hand to Turkey during this difficult period, sent search and rescue teams and humanitarian aid. They fully share the principle that the strength of the Turkic states lies in unity. The earthquake in Turkey prompted the establishment of closer ties, and the Ankara summit highlighted this trend. 
Uzbekistan, as a strategic partner, a fraternal country and a member of the OTG, did not stand aside and showed solidarity with Turkey. Our republic has made a feasible contribution to overcoming the consequences of the disaster in Turkey. 
Our search and rescue
and mobile medical teams have worked in the disaster zone, and several shipments of humanitarian aid have been sent to the victims. Uzbek rescuers (100 people) recovered 18 people alive and more than 190 dead bodies from the rubble of buildings in two weeks.
Also, the medical detachment of the Ministry of Defense of Uzbekistan (71 people) provided all possible assistance to a total of 3,860 citizens, of which 1,795 men, 1,177 women and 888 children.
In addition, collection points for critically needed goods for earthquake victims were organized in Tashkent by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Uzbekistan together with the Youth - Our Future Foundation and with the support of Turkish companies. 
As of today, 25 trucks filled with the necessary goods have been sent to Turkey. Six shipments of humanitarian cargo were also sent - medicines, blankets, tents and other basic necessities.
At the same time, our country is ready to continue to provide the necessary assistance in overcoming the consequences of devastating earthquakes.
Within the framework of the summit, the President of Uzbekistan put forward an important initiative to create a Platform for practical cooperation of OTG on prevention and overcoming the consequences of emergency situations with the introduction of specific implementation mechanisms. In particular, Uzbekistan considers it necessary to develop a multilateral agreement aimed at preventing natural disasters and emergencies as soon as possible within the framework of the OTG.
In addition, a proposal was made on the need to significantly intensify partnerships between our ministries and departments for emergency situations and prepare a joint action program in the most priority areas.
An initiative has also been put forward to introduce mechanisms for close cooperation and support in overcoming social and economic problems during unforeseen severe trials. We are talking about the unhindered delivery of food and construction materials, the launch of cooperation projects aimed at restoring industry. Tashkent considers it possible to attract the first financial resources of the Turkic Investment Fund officially established today to these projects.
As for the prospects for the development of OTG, it should be noted that the organization has a huge potential, and its implementation will depend on what specific mechanisms and tools the Turkic states will rely on to achieve the designated strategic priorities outlined in the concept "Vision of the Turkic World - 2040" adopted at the Istanbul Summit in 2021. 
Against the background of geopolitical processes, great prospects are opening up for cooperation between the Turkic states, including in the energy sector. Major energy projects such as the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline and the Trans-Anatolian Gas Pipeline (TANAP) are already being implemented. 
In addition, cooperation in the transport and logistics spheres is important, which will increase the productivity of the Middle Corridor.
As we noted above, an important initiative in the OTG space is the Turkic Investment Fund created at the Samarkand summit.
In this regard, as President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has repeatedly pointed out, the priority of the OTG states should be the search for new opportunities for the active development and expansion of trade and economic cooperation.
The current situation on world markets requires strengthening the economic foundation of OTG - increasing the volume of mutual trade, deepening technological partnership, support for major infrastructure projects, investment exchanges in rapidly growing sectors and promising areas.
Of course, the summit meetings play an important role in the development of OTG. The firm political support of the heads of State for the promotion and development of comprehensive ties between the Turkic countries is an important aspect that guarantees the constant filling of the cooperation agenda with new breakthrough directions. 
In this regard, I would like to note that through the efforts of the leaders of the countries, the OTG has become an authoritative organization of effective and open multilateral cooperation in a short time. As a unique institution of its kind, OTG strengthens the interaction of countries in various areas and coordinates the development of cooperation in the Turkic world in general. Currently, active work is continuing to deepen the Turkic integration, a new integration agenda is being formed. 
The main goals of the OTG are to strengthen trust and multifaceted ties between fraternal countries, develop cooperation in trade, economy, energy, tourism, transport, cultural and humanitarian spheres, and coordinate efforts to ensure peace and security in the region.
In recent years, cooperation between the OTG countries has become more pragmatic and meaningful. If at the first stages the key importance was attached to the activation of cultural and humanitarian ties, by now the issues of strengthening trade, economic and investment ties, as well as the development of transcontinental transit corridors have come to the fore. 
The participants of the association have created a solid institutional architecture. The International Organization of Turkic Culture (TURKSOY) and the Turkic Academy, the Foundation of Turkic Culture and Heritage, the Parliamentary Assembly of Turkic-speaking Countries, whose activities are aimed at developing inter-parliamentary cooperation, have been established.
At the same time, it should be noted that the Turkic integration is not only the revival of cultural and humanitarian ties between kindred peoples, but also a promising direction of foreign economic and foreign policy activity for all members of the association.
Analyzing the activities and strategic development plans of OTG, it is possible to identify some promising areas in which countries will expand and deepen cooperation.
Firstly, the intensification of trade and economic ties.
In order to further enhance economic cooperation, it is planned to: 1) make extensive use of the potential of existing and new institutions within the framework of OTG, such as the Turkic Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Turkic Investment Fund; 2) open "Turkic trading houses" in different cities of the OTG countries on the principles of public-private partnership to provide business communities with opportunities to promote national products and support their entry into new markets.
Secondly, the formation of an interregional branched transport and communication system. In this direction, it is planned to develop a special program to improve transport links between the Turkic states for: a) harmonization of regional transport policy and technical standards related to cargo transportation; b) identification of factors slowing down the cross-border flow of goods; c) formulation of the basics of mutually beneficial tariff policy for the transportation of goods.
Thirdly, strengthening cooperation in the energy sector. The OTG Working Group on Energy plans to explore the possibilities of cooperation between the Turkic countries in this area through: 1) exchange of experience in the field of energy efficiency and advanced energy technologies; 2) promotion of energy security issues; 3) diversification of energy routes and improvement of intraregional energy links.
Fourth, consolidation of efforts in the field of digitalization and high technologies. To develop the ICT infrastructure, improve the quality of the e-government system and promote digitalization in the OTG space, it is planned to create various promising cooperation mechanisms.
Fifth, coordination of measures in the field of food security. In the light of the observed food crises and the rapid rise in food prices in the world, the OTG countries intend to: a) increase cooperation in the agricultural and livestock sectors on the basis of complementarity and effective cooperation, b) create "green corridors" for the promotion of food products, c) expand the exchange of experience and knowledge through seminars, agroforums and joint scientific research.
Today, the Turkic community is established as one of the locomotives of integration processes throughout Eurasia. In recent years, the OTG countries, located geographically on a fairly wide and strategically important space, have created a qualitatively new model of regional cooperation. 
This is confirmed by the adoption by the leaders of the OTG countries of strategic documents "Vision of the Turkic World - 2040", the Organization's strategy for 2022-2026 and a number of decisions on further reforming the activities of the structure with a serious integration agenda.