Distinguished heads of delegations!
It is my
great pleasure to meet with you, my dear brothers, in the unique city of
Gabala, which has been one of the important trade and cultural centers of the
Great Silk Road since ancient times.
First of
all, I would like to express my gratitude to His Excellency Ilham Aliyev,
President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, for the high-level organization of the
summit and for the traditional and sincere hospitality.
Thanks to
your initiatives, we have visited many regions of modern Azerbaijan in recent
years.
We are
witnessing the ever-growing development of beautiful Karabakh and the enormous
construction works taking place in the cities of Shusha, Khankendi and Aghdam.
As close friends, we are certainly very pleased with these positive
developments.
It is no
exaggeration to say that "Peace Declaration" signed with Armenia
thanks to your firm political will is also a common victory for the Turkic
states.
This
historic agreement opens up broad opportunities for close cooperation among our
countries in trade, economic, transport and humanitarian spheres.
Esteemed
colleagues!
I would
like to express my sincere gratitude to His Excellency Sadyr Zhaparov,
President of the Kyrgyz Republic, for his effective leadership of our
Organization throughout the year and his valuable contribution to elevating our
cooperation to a new level.
Today's
meeting on the topic of "Regional Peace and Security" is taking place
amid complex geopolitical changes in the world and increasing security threats.
My
colleagues who have just taken the floor have expressed their opinions and
suggestions on these issues.
The
statements made by world leaders at the recent anniversary session of the
United Nations General Assembly in New York once again demonstrated the lack of
a unified position on the issues related to the political and security
architecture of the modern world.
The time
itself requires us to deeply reform and improve the global governance system
and enhance the role of the UN and its Security Council. In particular, a key
task is to strengthen close cooperation to empower the positions and voices of
developing countries.
The most
pressing issues, conflicts and wars that are continuing to escalate across the
Eurasian region, with no end in sight, are undoubtedly having a negative impact
on our countries.
The tragedy
unfolding in the Gaza Strip, the situation around Ukraine, Iran’s nuclear
program, and the stability of Afghanistan are causes of serious concern for all
of us.
We welcome
the aspirations and new plans of the world's major powers to establish a just
world order and ensure mutual trust and security.
I believe
that the time itself urge us to hold regular joint meetings of foreign
ministers and heads of special services of the Organization of Turkic States in
order to conduct an in-depth analysis of the global situation and make the necessary
decisions. In this regard, we propose to hold the first such joint meeting next
year in the ancient city of Samarkand.
Dear heads
of delegations!
The
analyses indicate that, within a short period of time, the Organization of
Turkic States has joined the ranks of the prestigious and rapidly developing
international organizations.
First and
foremost, this is clearly proven by the intensification of political dialogue
at the highest level, the strengthening of mutual trust, and the active
implementation of practical partnership projects and humanitarian programs
among our countries.
I would
like to cite just one example. Today, within the framework of our Organization,
practical cooperation is actively underway in more than thirty-five areas. The trade
volume among our countries is steadily growing and is expected to double by
2030.
In line
with the agenda, I would like to touch upon a number of specific issues.
Improving
the profile and enhancing capacity of our Organization, and strengthening its
role as an effective cooperation platform in the near future, remain among our
key priorities.
In this
regard, we advocate for the early finalization and adoption of the Treaty on
Strategic Partnership, Eternal Friendship, and Fraternity among the Turkic
States.
Undoubtedly,
this landmark document will serve as a fundamental political framework for
advancing our cooperation, bringing our brotherly nations even closer together,
and elevating practical interaction to a new stage.
With a view
to further expanding and accelerating our multifaceted partnership, we propose
to draw up the Organization’s 2030 Development Strategy and a dedicated Roadmap
for its implementation.
In this
context, we consider it appropriate to outline the following specific areas and
activities.
First. We
believe the development of trade and economic relations and the deepening of
industrial cooperation among our countries should be a key priority.
We support
the establishment of a New Space of Economic Opportunities within our
Organization in the nearest future. This primarily concerns the creation of the
most favorable conditions, legal framework, and infrastructure for trade,
business, and mutual investment.
In order to
ensure the consistent advancement of practical cooperation and formulation of
concrete projects, in particular, to coordinate the plans within the Turkic Investment
Fund, we believe the time has come to establish a Permanent Council of the
Turkic States for Economic Partnership. It is important that this body operates
on a permanent basis under the leadership of the Deputy Prime Ministers of our
respective countries. We are ready to host the Council’s Project Office in
Tashkent.
Within the
framework of this Council, we could implement a number of new initiatives,
including:
-
establishment of Industrial Alliance of Turkic States, through which we could
advance cooperation projects among our leading companies in such sectors as
mechanical engineering, mining, electrical equipment, petrochemicals,
pharmaceuticals, light industry, food production, and construction materials;
-
introduction of the "Turkic Green Corridors" electronic system in
order to significantly increase the volume of mutual trade and bring technical
regulations closer together;
- creation
of a Green Transformation Consortium for the joint implementation of projects
in green energy, green hydrogen and ammonia, attracting advanced technologies,
standards and competencies, and widespread implementation of public-private
partnership mechanisms;
-
development of the strategic mineral base and the production of value-added
products should remain under the constant attention of the Council.
In this
regard, the adoption of a practical Cooperation Program based on the principle
of "raw materials - processing - science and technology - finished
products" is of great importance.
Second. In
terms of ensuring food security, our countries can become world leaders in the
production and supply of organic agricultural products.
According
to analyses FAO, the volume of global organic products’ market today exceeds
$225 billion, and these figures are expected to grow by 10 percent annually in
the future.
Based on
the potential of our countries in this area, we must strengthen scientific
research and breeding, industrial cooperation, and logistical ties in the
production of high-quality and in-demand organic products.
In the
future, we could promote our organic products on the global market under a
single brand.
In this
regard, we propose to create an Expert Working Group under the supervision of
our Ministers of Agriculture to select the first pilot projects and implement
them in our countries.
Third. We
all deeply understand the need for a coordinated policy in strengthening the
transport connectivity of the Turkic States and developing international
transit corridors.
We fully
support all the outlined plans for the consistent development of the Middle
Corridor.
Most
importantly, this corridor should be distinguished by its competitiveness. It
must ensure the most favorable conditions for the business community.
In this
regard, we place great emphasis on projects to apply reasonable transit
tariffs, develop modern transport infrastructure, and introduce a digitized
customs regime.
It is
important to underscore by connecting the Middle Corridor with the
China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan railway, which is currently under construction, and
the promising Trans-Afghan corridor, we will be able to establish a multi-route
system of strategic corridors across our vast region.
I am
confident that all our initiatives related to the transport sector will be
thoroughly discussed at the International Forum on Multimodal Transportation,
which will be held on November 12 in Tashkent.
We believe
in the active participation of national delegations led by Ministers of
Transport, heads of major logistics companies and associations, as well as
scholars and experts.
Fourth.
When discussing large-scale industrial and infrastructure projects, the
introduction of effective financial instruments is particularly important.
In this
regard, we definitely support the expansion of the activities of the Turkic
Investment Fund.
In
addition, we propose adopting a Strategic Cooperation Program with the Islamic
Development Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and
other international financial and national development institutions in order to
attract additional funds for priority projects.
Fifth.
Artificial intelligence, digitalization, and the creative industry sectors are
becoming key drivers of sustainable development in our countries.
To unite
our efforts in these areas, we propose adopting a “Roadmap” for the
implementation of projects in Artificial Intelligence and creative industries.
At the same
time, we are ready to host the Turkic World International Exhibition in our
country.
Sixth. It
is important to elevate our cooperation in science and education to a new level
based on the principle of "Enlightenment against ignorance".
Uzbekistan
will assume the chairmanship of the Turkic University Union in 2025–2026, which
unites more than 100 universities. The General Assembly of the Union will be
held in Tashkent next week.
During our
chairmanship we will propose to hold the "Turkic Science and Innovation
Days".
In order to
strengthen cooperation in this area and encourage research by talented
scientists, the International University of Turkic States is starting its work
in Uzbekistan.
It would be
appropriate to develop a Joint Research Support Program on the basis of this
University.
Seventh. In
order to prevent the spread of subversive and destructive ideas among our
youth, I propose to adopt an Action Plan aimed at combating extremist and
radical ideology in the Turkic States.
At the same
time, we will continue to maintain close dialogue on combating all forms of
Islamophobia.
In
addition, the development of joint environmental awareness measures among youth
within our Organization will undoubtedly be an important step in this direction.
I would
like to dwell on one more issue. Next year, we will widely celebrate the 585th
Anniversary of the great poet and thinker Alisher Navoi and the 885th
Anniversary of the great Azerbaijani poet Nizami Ganjavi.
In order to
widely promote their ideas of humanism, friendship and solidarity, as well as
their invaluable literary heritage, we propose to hold an International
Scientific Conference on the topic "The works of Nizami Ganjavi and
Alisher Navoi - in the Spiritual Life of the Turkic World".
Distinguished
heads of delegations!
In
conclusion, I wish every success to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan
His Excellency Ilham Aliyev, who is taking over the chairmanship of our
organization.
I believe
that the Gabala Declaration to be adopted today will further strengthen the
noble initiatives and plans we are jointly promoting, and will make a
significant contribution to the development of our countries and the prosperity
of our fraternal peoples.
I thank you
for your attention!