Tokayev to attend 13th OTS Summit in Ankara

Preparations are underway in the Turkish capital for a major gathering of kindred nations as Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev prepares to travel for high-level bilateral meetings and the upcoming 13th Summit of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS). The diplomatic engagement brings together leaders to address pressing regional challenges, deepen economic integration, and advance multi-sectoral connectivity across the Turkic world.

According to Qazinform News Agency, citing presidential press secretary Aibek Smadyarov, Tokayev's official visit begins on October 28-30 at the invitation of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Turkicatlas noted that the discussions between the two leaders will focus on deepening their expanded strategic partnership. Turkish state broadcasts and news reports from Caspianpost indicate the arrival coincides with national anniversary celebrations, with Erdoğan highlighting that Ankara will welcome distinguished guests from the Turkic world as the country marks the anniversary of the proclamation of the Republic.

Media additions

The core of the diplomatic calendar is the 13th OTS Summit, which Daily Sabah reports will convene on Oct. 29-30 in Ankara. Turkish officials often refer to the gathering as a family council. Member states—including Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan—alongside observer states such as Hungary, Turkmenistan, and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), will participate. The meetings aim to solidify a roadmap toward the vision of the Century of the Turkic World, building upon foundational frameworks established previously.

As reported by AKIpress, the summit operates under the specific theme Turkic Century: Unity in Language, Thought and Deed. Turkey will assume the rotating chairmanship of the organization from Azerbaijan, marking a significant milestone in its institutional development. OTS Secretary General Kubanychbek Omuraliev expressed anticipation for welcoming the heads of state to advance shared strategic priorities.

Economic and technical integration remains central to the agenda. According to TRT World, the summit will assess progress in trade, investment, energy, digital infrastructure, and space. Digital cooperation forms a primary pillar, with Türkiye having ratified a digital economy partnership agreement. Furthermore, technical collaboration now encompasses a joint digital agriculture data platform and a framework agreement to coordinate a joint CubeSat project, discussed during astronautical congress proceedings.

Trade volumes among member states have expanded steadily. TRT World noted that annual trade between Türkiye and full member states reached $17 billion last year, with Kazakhstan standing out as a primary destination for Turkish exports in preceding trade cycles. Preparatory business forums hosted by the Turkish Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges (TOBB) target border logistics and customs issues along the crucial trade paths connecting Central Asia to Europe.

Transport connectivity, particularly the Middle Corridor, receives heavy emphasis from lawmakers and diplomats alike. According to Report.az, Kürşad Zorlu, Chairman of Türkiye's ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) Committee on Relations with Turkic States, pointed out the rapid rise in cargo volumes traversing the route from China through Central Asia and Azerbaijan to Europe. This emphasis on physical transport links echoes prior discussions held by foreign ministers under Azerbaijani chairmanship, as detailed by Trend News Agency on the sidelines of United Nations General Assembly meetings.

Beyond macro-level economics and transport, the summit agenda includes practical people-to-people initiatives. Report.az outlines plans for a common museum card, joint airport service points for citizens of member states, cultural sports cooperation, and a shared e-commerce platform. Additional forums, including a women's diplomacy forum, run concurrently with the main political events.

What to Watch Next

• Preparatory meetings of the Council of Foreign Ministers scheduled ahead of the main summit sessions (AKIpress).
• Bilateral talks between President Tokayev and President Erdoğan in Ankara starting on Oct. 28 (Qazinform).
• The formal signing and adoption of the Ankara Declaration and institutional decisions on October 30 (AKIpress).
• The official handover of the OTS rotating presidency from Azerbaijan to Türkiye (Daily Sabah).