The Organization of Turkic States (OTS) — known until 2021 as the Turkic Council (formally the Cooperation Council of Turkic-Speaking States) — is an intergovernmental organization that promotes cooperation among the Turkic-speaking countries of Eurasia. Founded in 2009 by Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Turkey, it today has five member states and three observers, spanning a contiguous belt from Anatolia to Central Asia.
At the 8th summit in Istanbul on 12 November 2021, the Turkic Council was renamed the Organization of Turkic States, marking a push toward deeper political, economic and cultural integration. Uzbekistan had joined as a full member two years earlier, in 2019.
Members and Observers
The OTS has five full members — Turkey, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan — and three observers: Turkmenistan, Hungary (the only EU and non-Turkic-majority participant) and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.
| Country | Status | Since |
|---|---|---|
| 🇹🇷 Turkey | Member | 2009 (founding) |
| 🇦🇿 Azerbaijan | Member | 2009 (founding) |
| 🇰🇿 Kazakhstan | Member | 2009 (founding) |
| 🇰🇬 Kyrgyzstan | Member | 2009 (founding) |
| 🇺🇿 Uzbekistan | Member | 2019 |
| 🇹🇲 Turkmenistan | Observer | 2021 |
| 🇭🇺 Hungary | Observer | 2018 |
| 🇹🇷 Northern Cyprus (TRNC) | Observer | 2022 |
Establishment of the Turkic Council
According to the Nakhchivan Agreement of 3 October 2009 and the Istanbul Declaration of 16 September 2010, the member countries of TDİK have embraced the objectives and principles of the United Nations Convention, as well as other universally recognized principles of international law. Also, international norms on the promotion of peace and security and the development of good neighborly relations are the basis for cooperation under the Turkic Council.
The Turkic Council was founded on the common political will as a result of the “Summit of Heads of States of Turkic-Speaking States” since 1992. Up to this date, 10 Summit has been realized and the establishment of TDİK was officially announced at the last Summit held on 16 September 2010 in Istanbul, priorities and road map were put forward.
The organization has grown since. Uzbekistan became the fifth full member in 2019, and at the Istanbul summit on 12 November 2021 the body was renamed the Organization of Turkic States to reflect its broader ambitions. Its permanent secretariat is based in Istanbul.
Mission of Turkic Council
In the preamble of the Nakhchivan Treaty, member states have affirmed their commitment to the objectives and principles of the United Nations Convention, and the main purpose of the Turkic Council is to deepen comprehensive cooperation between Turkic-speaking States and to contribute to regional and global peace and stability. Member States also expressed their commitment to basic principles such as democracy, respect for human rights, the rule of law and good governance. Furthermore, the cooperation within the scope of the Turkic Council is on the basis of the special solidarity between the member countries, the common history, culture, identity and the language unity of the Turkic-speaking peoples.
Nakhchivan Agreement
The main objectives and duties of the organization laid down in Article 2 of the Nakhchivan Agreement are:
- Strengthening mutual trust between the Parties;
- Protection of peace inside and outside the region;
- Adopting common positions on foreign policy issues;
- Coordinating actions to combat international terrorism, separatism, extremism and cross-border crime;
- Development of effective regional and bilateral cooperation in all areas related to common objectives;
- Creating favorable conditions for trade and investment;
- Comprehensive and balanced economic growth, social and cultural development;
- Discussing the rule of law, good governance and protection of human rights;
- Expansion of interaction in science, technology, education, and culture;
- Encouraging interaction and mass communication;
- Information exchange on legal issues and encouragement of judicial cooperation.
The OTS Today
Since its 2021 rebranding the OTS has evolved from a mostly cultural forum into a more active bloc, with cooperation on trade, transport corridors (notably the Middle Corridor linking China and Europe via Central Asia and the Caucasus), energy, defence and a common Turkic investment fund. The 12th summit was held in Gabala, Azerbaijan, on 7 October 2025 under the theme “Regional Peace and Security”, following earlier summits in Astana and Bishkek that launched initiatives such as the “Turkic Green Vision” and named Bishkek the digital capital of the Turkic world. The chairmanship rotates annually among member states.
Flag of Turkic Council
In the meeting of the 2nd Turkic Council Ministers of Foreign Affairs held on 22 August 2012 in Bishkek. Also, the official flag of the Turkic Council became official in this meeting. Moreover, this flag contains symbols belonging to the four member states. Color Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan sun, crescent Turkey, and the Azerbaijani flag is the 8-pointed star.
Membership, history and recent developments compiled from the Organization of Turkic States and reference sources. Current as of 2026.
Sources:
- Organization of Turkic States — official site – Members, observers, summits and history.
- Wikipedia — Organization of Turkic States – Background, 2021 renaming and membership.
Image Sources:
- Map by Mappr – Members-and-observers map created by Mappr.
