The Secretary-General of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS), Kubanychbek Omuraliev, highlighted the growing importance of diaspora cooperation as a pillar of cultural diplomacy and international engagement during a reception in Washington marking the Day of Solidarity of Azerbaijanis Worldwide.
Speaking at the event hosted by the Azerbaijani Embassy to the United States, Omuraliev described the annual observance as a symbol of collective identity and global connectedness among Azerbaijani communities abroad. He underlined that diaspora networks play a vital role not only in preserving cultural heritage but also in fostering economic and social ties between countries.
“Diaspora communities are natural connectors between nations,” Omuraliev said, noting that the OTS places particular emphasis on structured cooperation with Turkic diasporas across different regions. According to him, these communities serve as living bridges linking societies, markets and cultures, especially in strategic hubs such as the United States.
Omuraliev explained that the organization has been working to enhance coordination among Turkic diasporas through dedicated dialogue mechanisms and joint initiatives. These efforts include cultural promotion, people-to-people exchanges and the sharing of best practices among national institutions responsible for diaspora affairs.
As part of this strategy, he said the OTS has already established a cooperation platform uniting diaspora-related agencies of member states, yielding tangible outcomes. He also announced that a Diaspora Capacity-Building Training Program launched by the organization could potentially hold its next session in the US, reflecting the growing importance of North America in Turkic diaspora engagement.
The OTS secretary-general also praised Azerbaijan’s leadership within the organization, noting its role as the current chair. He said Baku has been instrumental in advancing solidarity, practical cooperation and a shared vision of unity and prosperity across the Turkic world.
Azerbaijan’s Ambassador to the United States, Khazar Ibrahim, echoed this sentiment, describing the solidarity day as a celebration not only for Azerbaijanis but for the broader Turkic community. He expressed hope that future events would see greater participation from diaspora members of other friendly and brotherly nations.
Omuraliev’s visit to Washington also included meetings with ambassadors of OTS member and observer states accredited in the US, reflecting the organization’s broader diplomatic outreach.
The Organization of Turkic States — formerly known as the Turkic Council — brings together Türkiye, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan as members, with Hungary, Turkmenistan and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus holding observer status.
Source: Newstimehub
