Azerbaijan’s chairmanship of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) in 2026 marked an important milestone not only in strengthening political solidarity across the Turkic world, but also in expanding economic and trade relations and accelerating regional integration. The initiatives put forward and multilateral discussions held during Azerbaijan’s chairmanship strengthened the OTS’s position not merely as a platform bringing together shared historical and cultural values, but also as an effective institutional mechanism promoting economic cooperation, transport connectivity and regional development.

Ilyas Huseynov, Head of the Center for Turkic World Studies at the Center for Analysis of Economic Reforms and Communication, stated that the priorities reaffirmed at the OTS Summit of the Council of Heads of State, held in Gabala in October 2025, defined the main directions of Azerbaijan’s chairmanship. These priorities included expanding economic and transport connectivity, enhancing institutional efficiency, deepening cooperation among member states and strengthening the international standing of the organisation. Amid growing global economic uncertainty, geopolitical tensions and changes in supply chains, these areas are particularly important for aligning the common economic interests of Turkic states.

During Azerbaijan’s chairmanship, the key areas of economic cooperation within the OTS were identified as trade, investment, transport connectivity, energy, finance, digital development, innovation and new technologies. The comprehensive development of these sectors serves to establish more systematic economic relations among member states and strengthen mutual economic interdependence and shared interests.

The Head of the Center for Turkic World Studies noted that expanding trade relations is one of the key dimensions of economic integration among Turkic states. The complementary nature of the economic potential, production capacities and markets of member countries provides a favourable foundation for increasing mutual trade. At the same time, reducing trade barriers, simplifying customs and logistics procedures, introducing digital trade mechanisms and strengthening direct contacts between business communities can enhance the practical outcomes of cooperation.

Investment cooperation is also an important component of this process. The opportunities available in transport, industry, energy, agriculture, digital technologies and the services sector across Turkic states offer broad prospects for implementing joint investment initiatives. Mutual investments can contribute not only to increasing capital flows, but also to establishing production chains, creating new jobs and facilitating technology transfer. In this regard, identifying projects based on common interests and strengthening institutional support for their implementation are essential for the next stage of economic cooperation.

Ilyas Huseynov emphasised that transport and logistics cooperation holds particular strategic importance in the context of Azerbaijan’s chairmanship of the OTS. In particular, the development of the Middle Corridor creates significant opportunities for deepening economic relations among Turkic states and strengthening the region’s position in the international trading system. Expanding freight transportation along the East–West route, coordinating transport infrastructure and improving transit procedures can reinforce the role of Turkic states as an important connectivity hub between European and Asian markets.

Enhancing the competitiveness of the Middle Corridor is not limited to the development of physical infrastructure. Optimising border-crossing procedures, digitalising customs systems, introducing unified logistics approaches, harmonising tariff policies and strengthening coordination among transport operators also play an important role. Cooperation in these areas can reduce transportation time and costs, thereby increasing the region’s attractiveness for international trade routes.

Azerbaijan’s geographical location, transport infrastructure and transit capabilities enhance the country’s role as an important connectivity hub in this process. At the same time, transforming the Middle Corridor into a sustainable and competitive route requires coordinated action by all participating countries. Therefore, continuous discussions on transport and logistics issues within the OTS are particularly important for deepening economic integration.

In addition, energy cooperation among OTS member states is another important dimension of regional economic relations. Coordinating the existing potential in the production, transportation and export of energy resources can contribute to the energy security of member states and strengthen their positions in international energy markets. At the same time, joint initiatives in renewable energy, energy efficiency and the application of modern technologies are creating new areas for cooperation.

The Head of the Center for Turkic World Studies also noted that expanding financial cooperation is an important factor complementing the development of trade and investment relations. Improving payment mechanisms, fostering cooperation among financial institutions, financing business projects and enhancing the investment climate can help establish economic relations on a more sustainable basis.

The digital economy, innovation and new technologies were also among the priorities receiving attention during Azerbaijan’s chairmanship. Cooperation in e-commerce, digital payments, innovation ecosystems, artificial intelligence and digital public services creates new opportunities to enhance the competitiveness of Turkic economies. Exchange of experience and the promotion of joint projects in these areas can take traditional economic cooperation to a new technological level.

The continuity of political dialogue and institutional coordination is an essential prerequisite for deepening economic cooperation. During Azerbaijan’s chairmanship, four informal meetings of foreign ministers were held, creating opportunities to intensify political dialogue among member states and coordinate positions on regional and global challenges. The circulation of joint OTS statements as official documents of the UN General Assembly and Security Council demonstrates the organisation’s growing international visibility and institutional standing.

Furthermore, the meeting of secretaries of security councils held in Baku and the adoption of the 2027 Roadmap on joint production and technological cooperation in the defence industry highlight that regional security and technological capabilities also feature on the organisation’s agenda. A secure and predictable regional environment provides an important foundation for sustainable economic activity, investment and transport connectivity.

Humanitarian and cultural cooperation also remained an important part of the agenda during Azerbaijan’s chairmanship. The organisation of Turkic World Week on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the First Turkological Congress, the first meeting of heads of government agencies responsible for religious affairs in Shusha, and the seventh meeting of the Council of Heads of Muslim Religious Administrations in Baku served to strengthen common identity and ties among peoples. These relations also reinforce the social and cultural foundations of economic partnership.

Azerbaijan’s chairmanship of the OTS in 2026 can be regarded as a significant milestone in expanding the economic dimension of cooperation among Turkic states and strengthening the institutional capacities of the organisation. Bringing together trade, investment, transport, energy, finance and digital development within a unified cooperation agenda creates new prospects for increasing the regional economic power of the Turkic world.

The consistent implementation of adopted decisions, active involvement of national institutions and strengthening the coordination and monitoring capacities of the OTS Secretariat are particularly important for translating political and institutional progress into tangible economic outcomes. The conclusion of Azerbaijan’s chairmanship and the commencement of Türkiye’s subsequent chairmanship create opportunities to maintain the continuity of this agenda and enrich it with new initiatives.

Thus, the cooperation agenda shaped during Azerbaijan’s chairmanship marked an important step towards more closely connecting the shared historical and cultural ties of Turkic states with economic partnership, trade relations and regional connectivity. The main objective for the next stage is to translate this potential into concrete projects, increased mutual trade, greater investment flows and a more efficient transport and logistics system.