Can a shared alphabet and deep economic ties unite the modern Turkic world?

History · Published 29 September 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: The Organization of Turkic States is a unique intergovernmental alliance aiming to bridge cultures and economies across vast distances. From its origins in 2009 to a recent push for a common 34-letter alphabet, this bloc is actively reshaping diplomatic and strategic alignment among its member nations today.

The Organization of Turkic States (OTS) emerged from a desire for deeper cooperation among sovereign nations sharing Turkic heritage. First proposed by Kazakh president Nursultan Nazarbayev in 2006, the organization was formally established on 3 October 2009 in Nakhchivan, Azerbaijan. Initially known as the Cooperation Council of Turkic Speaking States, it was restructured and renamed during an Istanbul summit in 2021. The organization serves as an umbrella for various bodies, including the Parliamentary Assembly of Turkic States (TURKPA) and the International Organization of Turkic Culture (TURKSOY), with its central Secretariat based in Istanbul.

The bloc currently comprises Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkey, and Uzbekistan as full members, with Hungary, Turkmenistan, and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus holding observer status. The organization’s governance is anchored by the Council of Heads of State, which rotates its chairmanship annually. It also maintains a Council of Elders, a permanent advisory body that draws on traditional Turkic practices of seeking guidance from forebears. These structures facilitate cooperation across six core processes: economy, culture, education, transport, customs, and diaspora relations.

Strategic alignment is a primary focus, with members working toward mutual security and economic integration. Recent initiatives include the development of a common 34-letter alphabet based on Latin characters, intended to move away from the Cyrillic script adopted during the Soviet era. Furthermore, the organization is actively pursuing economic projects, such as the establishment of a Turkic Joint Investment Fund. By coordinating policies on issues ranging from counter-terrorism to trade, the OTS seeks to create a cohesive regional influence, reaffirming its commitment to international principles of peace, stability, and good governance while fostering a shared identity among its members.

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