Turkic States Leaders Discuss Digital Cooperation at Informal Summit

Leaders from Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Azerbaijan and Turkey met in the city of Turkistan for an informal summit of the Organisation of Turkic States. The gathering centered on artificial intelligence and digital cooperation among member countries.

Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said the organisation has no geopolitical or military ambitions and serves as a platform for trade, economic, technological, digital, cultural and humanitarian cooperation. Officials from the participating countries also discussed establishing an OTS Plus format to expand cooperation to non-member states.

Delegations outlined digital achievements in their countries, including e-government platforms and legal frameworks for artificial intelligence. They identified areas for joint initiatives in cybersecurity and protection of critical infrastructure. A president from one member country said next-generation threats against databanks and critical national infrastructure require careful management, noting that cybersecurity is vital alongside traditional security domains.

Officials also discussed satellite monitoring of climate risks and water shortages affecting the region. Uzbekistan, Turkey and Kazakhstan are jointly creating a CubeSat satellite scheduled for launch in 2027. Kazakh AI and Digital Development Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Zhaslan Madiyev said each country is contributing its own technology to the project.

Member countries placed special emphasis on logistics potential and the integration of digital logistics platforms. All member countries have adopted a new e-Permit system for electronic customs documents. Political scientist Suyinbay Suyudikov said digitalisation will reduce customs procedures from 4-5 days to 40-50 minutes.

Officials also discussed the upcoming launch of a Trans-Caspian fibre-optic cable line to Kazakhstan. Madiyev said the cable will help attract big tech companies and hyperscalers to locate AI computing resources in the region. He noted that Kazakhstan has completed several large supercomputer projects that are the largest in the area.

Heads of state noted that the Zangezur and China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan corridors will integrate with the larger Middle Corridor in the future.

Leaders laid the foundation capsule for the Centre of Turkic Civilisation to be built in Turkistan. OTS Secretary General Kubanychbek Omuraliev said the centre carries strategic importance for the study, preservation and international promotion of Turkic heritage.

The Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation was tasked with creating a Turkic Heritage Platform to collect and preserve historic and cultural data in digital form. Aktoty Raimkulova, President of Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation, said the platform will allow anyone to view the shared heritage in a common digital format.

Leaders also visited the mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yassawi and unveiled a new mosque gifted by Uzbekistan to Kazakhstan.