The first Solidarity Forum of Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) opened in Baku, bringing together more than 500 civil society representatives from Azerbaijan, Türkiye, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Hungary, and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.
According to Report, the event marks a new stage in institutional cooperation within the Turkic world and serves as the first platform uniting NGOs across OTS member states.
Focus on Connectivity: Zangezur Corridor and Civil Society Cooperation
The forum featured two major panel discussions.
The first session, “Zangezur Corridor: A Bridge Connecting the Turkic Geography,” centered on preparations for the anticipated opening of the Zangezur Corridor and the emerging opportunities for civil society institutions across the Turkic world. Participants discussed how NGOs can contribute to regional connectivity, people-to-people ties, and new cooperative frameworks.
The second panel was dedicated to the First Azerbaijan–Kazakhstan NGO Cooperation Forum, highlighting the growing bilateral civic collaboration between Baku and Astana.
The forum is set to continue tomorrow in Nakhchivan.
President Ilham Aliyev Sends Message to Participants
President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev addressed the forum in a written message, delivered by Presidential Aide and Head of the Foreign Policy Department Hikmet Hajiyev.
In his message, President Aliyev underscored:
the rising global profile and growing potential of Turkic states;
the need for more ambitious goals and deeper cooperation;
the importance of establishing flexible civil society mechanisms within OTS.
He emphasized that shared ethnic roots, history, language, culture, and values unite the Turkic peoples as a “single center of strength.”
President Aliyev also highlighted:
the symbolic importance of the Karabakh Victory,
the reconstruction of Karabakh and East Zangezur regions,
the future launch of the Zangezur Corridor, which he said will significantly strengthen cooperation within the Turkic world.
Aliyev announced that Azerbaijan is ready to launch joint grant programs with OTS member states to support civil society projects in history, culture, ecology, climate policy, and other fields.
He also called for stronger civil society coordination at the UN and international organizations, stressing the importance of cultural integration ahead of the 2026 centenary of the First Turkological Congress.
Hikmet Hajiyev: “A New NGO Format Is Being Established Within the OTS”
Speaking at the forum, Hikmet Hajiyev noted that while OTS already coordinates state institutions across 34 directions, there had previously been no unified platform for NGOs.
“This forum lays the foundation for a new format bringing together the civil societies of Turkic states,” he said. “NGOs and civic institutions are essential drivers of interpersonal connections and a key force that unites the Turkic world.”
Opening Ceremony at Gulustan Palace
The official opening ceremony took place at Gulustan Palace in Baku, attended by representatives from eight countries and regions.
Organizers emphasized that the forum demonstrates the expanding scope and multi-dimensional nature of cooperation within the OTS framework, with civil society now becoming an active element of the broader Turkic integration process.
