― 28 ноября 2025 г.
42nd Term Meeting of the Permanent Council of TURKSOY held in Aktau - Andijan declared as Cultural Capital for 2026
The 42nd Session of the Permanent Council of the Ministers of Culture of TURKSOY Member Countries was held on November 28th, 2025 in Aktau, the pearl of the Caspian Sea and the Cultural Capital of the Turkic World 2025.
The meeting featured the approval of the Working Report of TURKSOY during its 42nd of activities as well as of the financial report of the Organization for the year 2024. Participants of the meeting also expressed their appreciation as to activities carried out in Aktau, the Cultural Capital of the Turkic World 2025 and decided upon the agenda of activities scheduled to take place in the next term.
The Permanent Council extended its sincere gratitude to the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Mr. Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, for his strong support regarding cultural solidarity within the Turkic World and to Mrs. Aida Balayeva, the Minister of Culture and Information of Kazakhstan, who successfully implemented the calendar of activities held in Aktau throughout 2025 as well as to Mr. Nurdaulet Kylybai, the Governor of the Province of Mangystau, who hosted the meeting; and to Mr. Abilkaiyr Baypakov, the Mayor of Aktau.
The meeting was chaired by Mrs. Aida Balayeva, the Minister of Culture and Information of the Republic of Kazakhstan and 42nd Term Coordinator of TURKSOY. Alongside TURKSOY Secretary General Sultan Raev, the meeting was attended by Uzbekistan's Minister of Culture Ozodbek Nazarbekov, Turkmenistan's Minister of Culture Atageldi Shamyradov, Azerbaijan's Deputy Minister of Culture Murad Hüseynov, Kyrgyzstan's Deputy Minister of Culture, Information and Youth Policy A. Ş. Madaminov, and Türkiye's Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism Serdar Çam. The closing assessment of Aktau's 2025 Cultural Capital process was presented by Tilegen Abishev, the Deputy Governor of Mangystau.
Host Minister Balayeva who stated that Aktau brought new dynamism to the common cultural climate of the Turkic peoples throughout its year as Cultural Capital of the Turkic World further stressed that the work carried out in this context was not limited to the year's calendar of activities, but had produced a sustainable impact that strengthened the common cultural awareness, visibility and institutional solidarity in the Turkic World. Minister Balayeva also drew attention to the importance of systematic, dynamic and results-oriented cooperation models which will further enrich the experience of TURKSOY spanning over more than thirty years of activities carried out with strong commitment.
Strategic Statements by Secretary General Raev: TURKSOY is getting ready for a New Era
Speaking at the meeting, TURKSOY Secretary General Sultan Raev made important statements regarding the future vision of the Organisation. The main points highlighted by Secretary General Raev within this framework were as follows:
The Success of Aktau 2025 and Collective Contribution: Mr. Raev who underlined that Aktau 2025 was a comprehensive process which deepened the cultural diplomacy of the Turkic World, kept the common memory alive and increased cultural interaction further stressed that the joint contribution of all member countries, especially the host country and city played a key role in this success.
Institutional Transformation and Strengthening: Secretary General Raev put particular emphasis on the ‘Decision on the Development and Strengthening of TURKSOY’ adopted by the Organisation of Turkic States at its Summit in Gabala. Mr. Raev further explained that this decision aims at fostering the effectiveness, visiblility and sustainability of TURKSOY as international organization of cultural diplomacy. In this regard, he also announced that a comprehensive document on the strengthening of the organisation’s institutional capacity, governance, digital transformation and financial sustainability will be prepared.
New fields of activities for the coming period
Mr. Raev who stated that TURKSOY will be adding new fields of activities to its existing ones touched upon digital culture platforms, joint heritage inventories, documentary projects, the Turkic World Film Fund, the global promotion of joint holidays, and youth-focused programmes which will enrich the variety of TURKSOY's activities in the coming period.
Secretary General Raev concluded his speech by stating that TURKSOY is not merely an event-producing structure, but also a large cultural family strengthening trust and solidarity to foster a shared vision of the future among Turkic peoples.
Common Will and New Invitations from Member Country Representatives
Delegation heads who spoke at the meeting also confirmed their common will to deepen cultural cooperation. Turkmenistan's Minister of Culture, Atageldi Shamyradov, emphasised that culture and art build a lasting bridge of friendship between peoples.
The Deputy Minister of Culture of Kyrgyzstan Mr. A. Ş. Madaminov stated that Aktau 2025 offers a valuable platform in terms of shared heritage and proposed that the next World Nomadic Games be held in his country in 2026.
The Minister of Culture of Uzbekistan Mr. Ozodbek Nazarbekov stated that the decision to strengthen TURKSOY will take the organisation's institutional nature to a new level.
The Deputy Minister of Culture of Azerbaijan Mr. Murad Huseynov recalled that the experience of Shusha as Cultural Capital of the Turkic World strengthened the unity of the Turkic World and pointed out the historical importance of the 100th anniversary of the First Turkology Congress in 2026.
Mr. Serdar Çam, the Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism of Türkiye expressed his expectation as to a strong cooperation as regards Ankara, the Tourism Capital of the Turkic World 2026 and events to commemorate Ziya Gökalp throughout 2026.
Andijan: the Cultural Capital of the Turkic World 2026
The Permanent Council welcomed the declaration of the historical city of Andijan in Uzbekistan as Cultural Capital of the Turkic World 2026. Members of the Permanent Council expressed their belief as to the fact that, with its deep-rooted identity carrying the common cultural heritage of the Turkic World, Andijan will successfully undertake this responsibility.
Members of the Permanent Council further decided that rhe calendar of activities scheduled to take place in 2026 will be prepared in cooperation with the Secretariat General of TURKSOY, the Ministry of Culture of Uzbekistan and the local administration of Andijan and agreed upon the fact that the next meeting of the Permanent Council shall be held in Andijan in 2026.
Decisions adopted at the end of the meeting aim at strengthening the institutional capacity of TURKSOY, expanding the scope of the Cultural Capital of the Turkic World and further fostering cultural solidarity among member countries. The transfer of the title of Cultural Capital of the Turkic World from Aktau to Andijan gave a strong message confirming that the joint cultural journey of the Turkic World will go on with even greater determination in the new period.
