Turkistan hosts informal meeting of Council of Foreign Ministers of OTS
Baku, May 15, AZERTAC
On May 15, Azerbaijan’s Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov addressed the Informal Meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) in Turkistan, held under the theme “Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development.”
In his remarks, the Minister emphasized that the regional and international security environment remains fragile due to rising geopolitical uncertainty, ongoing conflicts, hybrid threats, and energy and food security challenges, stressing the need for stronger solidarity and coordination among Turkic states.
He emphasized the importance of strengthening cooperation in security, transport, energy resilience, cybersecurity, and other strategic areas, highlighting the significance of the Middle Corridor and East–West connectivity linking Asia and Europe via the Turkic world.
FM Bayramov also underlined the relevance of the meeting’s theme, noting AI’s rapid impact across key sectors and the need to address challenges such as cybersecurity, data protection, disinformation, and technological inequality.
Bayramov underscored that Azerbaijan places strong emphasis on digital transformation and innovation-driven development, noting the importance of the Digital Development Acceleration Action Plan for 2026–2028 in the country.
He also highlighted Azerbaijan’s role in improving digital connectivity between Europe and Asia under the “Digital Silk Road” project, stressing the strategic importance of the Trans-Caspian Fiber-Optic Cable project.
Jeyhun Bayramov described digital transformation as a key pillar of long-term cooperation among Turkic states, stressing the importance of strengthening digital infrastructure, advancing joint research and innovation in AI and emerging technologies, and increasing investment in human capital and digital skills.
The minister noted Azerbaijan’s proposal, under its chairmanship of the Organization of Turkic States, to establish a legal framework for AI cooperation, highlighting the need to enhance the Secretariat’s institutional and digital capacities.
The Minister also provided insights into Azerbaijan’s “smart city” and “smart village” reconstruction projects in the liberated territories, adding that the international recognition is evidenced by Baku’s hosting of World Urban Forum.
Minister Jeyhun Bayramov expressed confidence that the ongoing discussions would further enhance solidarity, coordination, and cooperation among Turkic states.
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