Organization of Turkic States: Members and Observers

1.1 How did the organisation begin?

Four states signed the Nakhchivan Agreement on 3 October 2009. They were Türkiye, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. It set up the Cooperation Council of Turkic Speaking States.

The Turkish Foreign Ministry says the Council itself was established at a summit in Istanbul on 15-16 September 2010. The International Turkic Academy says 3 October was declared the Day of Cooperation of the Turkic States.

1.2 Why was it renamed?

The 8th Summit was held in Istanbul on 12 November 2021. It changed the name to the Organization of Turkic States (OTS). The same summit accepted “The Turkic World Vision-2040”.

The Turkish Foreign Ministry gives the aim in one line. It is to deepen and widen cooperation and solidarity among Turkic States, based on common history, language and culture.

The Secretariat is in Istanbul. The Secretary General is Kubanychbek Omuraliev, a Kyrgyz ambassador, since November 2022.

2.1 Which five states are full members?

The Turkish Foreign Ministry lists five members.

• Türkiye
• Azerbaijan
• Kazakhstan
• Kyrgyzstan
• Uzbekistan

The first four signed in 2009. Uzbekistan became a full member at the 7th Summit in Baku on 15 October 2019.

An Uzbek Foreign Ministry report says that was Uzbekistan’s first summit of the Council as a full member.

2.2 Which states are not members?

Armenia, Croatia and Romania are not on the member list. Exam options often add them to lure you.

3.1 Which states and bodies hold observer status?

Source: Turkish Foreign Ministry profile of the OTS. ECO is an organisation, not a state.

3.2 What else did Turkmenistan receive?

On 7 October 2025 the Gabala summit also gave Turkmenistan observer status in two OTS bodies.

They are the Turkic Academy and the Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation, says TURKPA.

4.1 How is the OTS organised?

The Turkish Foreign Ministry names five parts of the structure.

• The Council of Heads of States.
• The Council of Foreign Ministers.
• The Senior Officials Committee.
• The Council of Elders.
• The Secretariat in Istanbul.

4.2 Which bodies work under its umbrella?

The Ministry says the OTS is an umbrella for several Turkic cooperation bodies.

• TURKSOY, the International Organization of Turkic Culture.
• TURKPA, the Parliamentary Assembly of Turkic Speaking Countries.
• The International Turkic Academy.
• The Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation.
• The Turkic Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
• The Turkic Investment Fund.

5.1 What did the 12th Summit decide?

The 12th Summit was held in Gabala, Azerbaijan, on 7 October 2025. Its theme was “Regional Peace and Security”. TURKPA lists these decisions.

• The leaders adopted the Gabala Declaration.
• They decided to set up the “OTS+” format. It is a flexible way to work with outside partners.
• The chairmanship passed from the Kyrgyz Republic to Azerbaijan.

5.2 What comes next?

TURKPA says the next regular summit would be held in Türkiye in fall 2026. On 8 September 2026 the Turkish Foreign Ministry said Türkiye will host the 13th Summit in Ankara on 29-30 October 2026.

That summit has not yet been held as of 9 October 2026.

6.1 Which mix-ups does this topic invite?

• Members: Türkiye, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan.
• Not members: Armenia, Croatia, Romania.
• Observers: Hungary, Turkmenistan, Northern Cyprus, ECO.
• Founded: 3 October 2009, at Nakhchivan.
• Uzbekistan: joined in 2019, at Baku.
• Renamed: 12 November 2021, at Istanbul.