15 May 2026 15:50

On 15 May 2026, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan Jeyhun Bayramov participated and delivered a speech at the informal meeting of the Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) on the theme “Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development,” held in the city of Turkistan, Kazakhstan.

During his speech, Minister Jeyhun 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.

For this purpose, the importance of strengthening cooperation in security, transport, energy resilience, cybersecurity and other strategic areas was emphasized, and the strategic importance 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 theme “Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development” and stated that artificial intelligence technologies are creating rapid transformation in the fields of economy, public administration, education, healthcare and security. At the same time, the importance of keeping in focus such challenges as cybersecurity, data protection, disinformation and technological inequality was emphasized.

It was stated that Azerbaijan attaches special importance to digital transformation and innovation-based development policy, and that the “Action Plan for 2026-2028 on Accelerating Digital Development in the Republic of Azerbaijan” is of significant importance in this direction.

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

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

It was stated that, within the framework of Azerbaijan’s chairmanship of the OTS, our country has put forward an initiative to establish a legal framework for cooperation in the field of artificial intelligence, while the importance of strengthening the institutional and digital capacities of the Secretariat of the Organization was emphasized.

Information was provided on the reconstruction works carried out by Azerbaijan in the liberated territories on the basis of “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 the international recognition of Azerbaijan’s activities in the field of innovative and sustainable urban development.

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