The upcoming Organization of Turkic States (OTS) Summit will be held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan on November 10-11 to provide a platform for multilateral cooperation in the region. A number of significant developments have been announced prior to the summit, which will advance the trade and finance agenda of the organization. Considering the major developments made to the organization during the last summit in 2021, this year’s summit has been long awaited.

Hosted by President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, this year’s summit will revolve around the "New era for the Turkic civilization: Towards common development and prosperity." Türkiye's President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan will address the summit and hold individual meetings with other member-states’ leaders as he passes the rotating chairmanship position to Uzbekistan. Türkiye’s Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu will also announce the appointment of Kyrgyz Republic’s Ambassador Kubanicbek Omuraliyev as the Secretary-General of the Organization of Turkic States. Uzbekistan's leadership will receive the 20-year roadmap for the organization and region, known as the 'Vision Document,' which outlines economic, trade, investment, and transport strategies. Several significant developments are expected at the summit, including the possibility of new memberships, investment opportunities, and economic outcomes.

Possible full membership of Turkmenistan is a major prospect on the agenda. Turkmenistan has previously indicated that it may become a full member of OTS, a significant move for a country historically removed from the region. One year ago, on November 12, 2021, Turkmenistan was admitted to be an observer state at the eighth Summit of the Organization of Turkic States in Istanbul. Turkmenistan is building up to increased regional connectivity following several developments in the transportation and trade sectors. On October 3, the Foreign Minister of Türkiye, Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, announced Turkmenistan's plan to become a full member of the OTS. With Turkmenistan's inclusion in the OTS, regional cooperation will increase, and transit and trade agreements may rise, both of which are necessary for Turkmenistan to increase its energy exports. Consequently, this signals the region's increased investment potential and improves its attractiveness to European investors seeking alternative energy sources.

The OTS’s emerging role in the region has been important in increasing regional connectivity. Turkmenistan, usually wary of such integration projects, has shown genuine interest in the organization. This participation alone is symbol enough of what the OTS can be capable of years down the line.

Furthermore, Çavuşoğlu has previously outlined the creation of a Turkish Investment Fund to develop the country's investment potential. Türkiye’s main priority remains "connections and transport corridors between member countries,” as it is “an important element of both the vision document and the strategy document.” He further stated that “long-term strategies that will make us resilient in the face of shocks.” And one of these long-term strategies includes “the creation of the Turkish Investment Fund,” and he urged member states to “support this proposal.” This investment fund will help facilitate the “efficient management of funding resources and international funding." In light of other international unions, such as the European Union, which also has investment funds, this is a significant step in legitimizing the OTS.

Efgan Nifti, CEO of the Caspian Policy Center, stated, regarding the Investment Fund and the recent developments: “Since independence, regional integration and connectivity have been a priority of the Caspian countries. With its wide array of working groups, OTS is becoming one of the main drivers of regional cooperation.” This organization provides a platform for the Caspian countries, free of Russian involvement, allowing the states to promote foreign investment without the sway of foreign actors. Increased connectivity is a major stepping stone for a region that has lacked economic independence. Mr. Nifti added, “OTS’s emerging influence as a viable regional platform and actor deserves close attention from international organizations and powers.” The organization is urging regional independence, therefore increasing its investment potential.

In attendance will be Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev, Kazakhstan's President Kasim-Jomart Tokayev, President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov, Türkiye's President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, Turkmenistan’s former President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, and OTS’s Secretary-General Baghdad Amreyev.