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The 13th summit of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) opened in Ankara on October 29, 2026, as Turkiye prepares to take over the organization’s rotating chairmanship from Azerbaijan.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan hosted the two-day summit, themed “Turkic Century: Unity in Language, Thought and Deed.”

Leaders are discussing future cooperation, reviewing progress across the organization’s priority areas, and considering the Ankara Declaration and a series of decisions aimed at strengthening institutional ties among member states.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev is not attending the summit because of previously scheduled commitments in Baku, according to Azerbaijani media reports.

Azerbaijani media reported on Thursday that Aliyev would not attend the Ankara summit because of a busy schedule, including his planned participation in the closing ceremony of the FIFA Under-15 World Cup and Festival in Baku on Friday, October 30. Reports said his attendance at the tournament’s awards presentation had been arranged in advance.

His absence comes as Azerbaijan prepares to transfer the OTS chairmanship to Turkiye. Although Azerbaijani media attributed the decision to scheduling commitments, it comes at a sensitive time for bilateral relations, and no confirmed link has been established between the diplomatic dispute and Aliyev’s decision.

Minister of Foreign Affairs @HakanFidan met with Jeyhun Bayramov, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan, on the margins of the Council of Foreign Ministers Meeting of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS), held as part of the 13th Summit of the OTS in Ankara.

— Turkish MFA (@MFATurkiye) October 29, 2026

Tensions have grown following Azerbaijan’s introduction of restrictions on headscarves in primary and secondary schools. The measures prompted criticism in Turkiye and protests against the Azerbaijani government.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan dismissed presidential chief adviser Oktay Saral after Saral criticized Azerbaijan’s policy, in a move reported as an effort to ease tensions.

Despite Aliyev’s reported absence, Azerbaijan is represented at the summit preparations by Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov, who attended Thursday’s meeting of OTS foreign ministers.

Foreign Ministers Prepare Summit Decisions

The OTS Council of Foreign Ministers met at the Presidential Complex in Ankara under the hosting of Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan. The meeting formed part of the preparations for the leaders’ summit, bringing together officials to review draft documents and proposals for approval by the heads of state.

Participants included Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov, Kazakh Foreign Minister Mukhtar Tileuberdi, Kyrgyz Foreign Minister Jeenbek Kulubaev and Uzbek Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov.

Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus Foreign Minister Tahsin Ertugruloglu also attended, while Turkmenistan was represented by its ambassador to Turkiye, Mekan İşanguliyev. OTS Secretary-General Kubanychbek Omuraliev participated in the discussions.

The ministers reviewed the draft Ankara Declaration and proposed decisions intended to deepen cooperation and strengthen the organization’s institutional framework. Omuraliev briefed participants on progress during Azerbaijan’s chairmanship and the work of the OTS Secretariat, noting that cooperation among member and observer states now spans more than 65 areas.

The agenda also included the Alisher Navoi International Prize for contributions to the unity of the Turkic world and the proposed 2027 budgets of the OTS Secretariat and the Turkic Academy. The ministers exchanged views on regional and international developments and discussed priorities for the organization’s next phase.

Representatives of the OTS Council of Elders, the Parliamentary Assembly of Turkic States, the International Organization of Turkic Culture, the Turkic Academy, the Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation, the Turkic Investment Fund and the Union of Turkic Chambers of Commerce and Industry also took part in the meeting.

Fidan Calls for Stronger Cooperation

Fidan said Turkiye remained committed to expanding cooperation with fellow Turkic states and strengthening solidarity across the organization.

“I hope the summit we will hold tomorrow under the hosting of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will bring blessings to the Turkic world,” Fidan said in a post on X after the foreign ministers’ meeting.

He added that continued consultations based on the traditions shared by Turkic nations would strengthen solidarity and help advance common goals.

The summit addresses progress under the Turkic World Vision 2040, a long-term framework for cooperation, and priorities in areas including trade, investment, transport, energy and cultural exchange.

The agenda also includes the appointment of a new secretary-general and the organization’s strategic direction for the coming period.

Turkiye to Assume OTS Chairmanship

The transfer of the rotating chairmanship from Azerbaijan to Turkiye is a central item on the summit’s agenda. The handover comes as the organization seeks to expand cooperation among its members and observer states and strengthen its role as a platform for political, economic and cultural coordination.

Established in 2009 as the Turkic Council, the organization adopted the name Organization of Turkic States at its eighth summit in Istanbul in 2021. Its five full members are Turkiye, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan. Turkmenistan, Hungary, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus and the Economic Cooperation Organization hold observer status.

The Ankara Declaration and a series of decisions intended to deepen cooperation and reinforce the organization’s institutions form the central outcomes of the leaders’ summit.

The summit also provides an opportunity for leaders to review achievements under Azerbaijan’s chairmanship and establish priorities as Turkiye takes over leadership of the organization.