Turkic Youth Adopt Cooperation Declaration at Forum in Türkiye
World
Around 500 young people attended the Turkic World Youth Meeting held in Kocaeli, Türkiye, on October 9–11. Under the motto “Common Heritage — One Heart”, the forum brought together representatives of Organization of Turkic States (OTS) countries, Turkic communities abroad and young people from across Türkiye.
The event was organised by Türkiye’s ruling Justice and Development Party with support from the Kocaeli municipality. Participants included students, journalists and digital media representatives from Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Türkiye and Azerbaijan. Discussions focused on youth cooperation, diplomacy, shared historical memory and digital engagement.
Kürşad Zorlu, deputy chair of the Justice and Development Party responsible for relations with Turkic states, highlighted the role of young people in regional cooperation. According to figures he cited, OTS countries have around 26 million people aged 15–24. He also stressed the importance of preparing young people to contribute to transport and energy corridors linking China and Europe.
A declaration containing 11 proposals was published after the forum. These include expanding and increasing funding for the Orhun student exchange programme, improving the effectiveness of the Union of Turkic Universities (TÜRKÜNİB), and strengthening cooperation in science, artificial intelligence and innovation. The proposals also call for supporting young entrepreneurs under the Digital Silk Road concept and promoting shared cultural heritage through social networks and digital platforms.
Other initiatives cover training young diplomats, increasing youth participation in public diplomacy, strengthening cooperation among traditional media, organising joint music and arts projects, and developing youth camps and social initiatives. The declaration also proposes appointing representatives of participating universities and civil society organisations to promote the ideas raised at the forum.
Another proposal calls for developing reciprocal arrangements allowing footballers from OTS countries and players of Turkic origin to compete in participating countries’ national leagues as domestic players.
The next Turkic World Youth Meeting is planned for 2027 in Kayseri, which has been selected as the cultural capital of the Turkic world.
Kürşad Zorlu, deputy chair of the Justice and Development Party responsible for relations with Turkic states, highlighted the role of young people in regional cooperation. According to figures he cited, OTS countries have around 26 million people aged 15–24. He also stressed the importance of preparing young people to contribute to transport and energy corridors linking China and Europe.
A declaration containing 11 proposals was published after the forum. These include expanding and increasing funding for the Orhun student exchange programme, improving the effectiveness of the Union of Turkic Universities (TÜRKÜNİB), and strengthening cooperation in science, artificial intelligence and innovation. The proposals also call for supporting young entrepreneurs under the Digital Silk Road concept and promoting shared cultural heritage through social networks and digital platforms.
Other initiatives cover training young diplomats, increasing youth participation in public diplomacy, strengthening cooperation among traditional media, organising joint music and arts projects, and developing youth camps and social initiatives. The declaration also proposes appointing representatives of participating universities and civil society organisations to promote the ideas raised at the forum.
Another proposal calls for developing reciprocal arrangements allowing footballers from OTS countries and players of Turkic origin to compete in participating countries’ national leagues as domestic players.
The next Turkic World Youth Meeting is planned for 2027 in Kayseri, which has been selected as the cultural capital of the Turkic world.
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