BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 15. Growing geopolitical
uncertainties and hybrid threats demand deeper solidarity and
coordination among Turkic states, Azerbaijan's Foreign Minister
Jeyhun Bayramov said, Trend reports citing the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs.


The minister made the remarks during his speech at the informal
meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organization of
Turkic States (OTS) in Turkistan, Kazakhstan, which focused on
"Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development."


During his speech, Bayramov stated that the regional and
international security environment remains sensitive, and that
increasing geopolitical uncertainties, ongoing conflicts, hybrid
threats, and challenges related to energy and food security require
closer solidarity and coordination among Turkic states.


To this end, the importance of strengthening cooperation in
security, transport, energy resilience, cybersecurity, and other
strategic areas was emphasized, and the strategic significance of
the Middle Corridor and East-West connectivity projects linking
Asia and Europe through the Turkic world was noted.


In his speech, the minister noted the relevance of the topic
"Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development," stating that
artificial intelligence technologies are creating a rapid
transformation in the fields of economy, public administration,
education, healthcare, and security. At the same time, the
importance of keeping challenges such as cybersecurity, data
protection, disinformation, and technological inequality in focus
was emphasized.


Azerbaijan attaches special importance to digital transformation
and innovation-based development policy, and the "Action Plan for
the acceleration of digital development in the Republic of
Azerbaijan for 2026-2028" is of great importance in this
direction.


The contribution of our country to strengthening the digital
connection between Europe and Asia within the framework of the
"Digital Silk Way" project was specially emphasized. In this
context, the strategic importance of the Trans-Caspian fiber-optic
cable project was noted.


Noting that digital transformation is one of the main directions
of the long-term cooperation agenda for Turkic states, the
importance of strengthening digital infrastructure, developing
joint research and innovation cooperation in the field of
artificial intelligence and advanced technologies, and increasing
investments in human capital and digital skills was brought to
attention.


Within the framework of Azerbaijan's chairmanship of the OTS, an
initiative was made to create a legal framework for cooperation in
the field of artificial intelligence, and the importance of
strengthening the institutional and digital capabilities of the
Organization's Secretariat was emphasized.


Information was provided on the reconstruction work carried out
by Azerbaijan in the liberated territories based on the "smart
city" and "smart village" concepts, and it was noted that the 13th
session of the World Urban Forum to be held in Baku in 2026 is an
indicator of international recognition of Azerbaijan's activities
in the field of innovative and sustainable urban planning.


In conclusion, confidence was expressed that the discussions to
be held during the meeting will contribute to the further
strengthening of solidarity, coordination, and partnership among
Turkic states.