AKIPRESS.COM – The meeting of the Council of Presidents of the Turkic Red Network of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) took place in Baku, Azertac reported.
Before the start of the event, participants visited the grave of national leader Heydar Aliyev in the Alley of Honor, the Alley of Martyrs to pay tribute to the heroes who gave their lives for the independence and territorial integrity of the country, and the “Turkish Martyrdom” monument.
In his opening speech, Novruz Aslanov, President of the Azerbaijan Red Crescent Society, noted that Azerbaijan demonstrates its devotion to the Turkic community not with words, but with deeds. Thanks to the policy of President Ilham Aliyev, Azerbaijan has become one of the main geopolitical and economic pillars of the OTS, exemplified by the recent summit in Gabala. He added, “These practical initiatives further strengthen our cultural, scientific, and humanitarian ties.”
Samir Sharifov, Deputy Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan, stated that in light of the geopolitical transformations taking place in the region and on the international arena, the creation of mechanisms based on joint strategic thinking and joint activity of the OTS is becoming more important than ever.
“The Turkic Red Network was established to strengthen humanitarian solidarity in the OTS region, ensure rapid response to emergencies, and provide coordination. Since its creation, the Network’s activities have always been a focus of the OTS. We believe that the Turkic Red Network’s activities should not be limited only to operational response to emergencies; the network can also serve as a means of demonstrating the humanitarian rights of Turkic states at a global level,” Sharifov noted.
OTS Secretary General Kubanychbek Omuraliev mentioned that one of the key achievements in this area is the formation of a civil protection mechanism. He called this a turning point in the development of humanitarian cooperation among the Commonwealth of Humanitarian Sciences countries.
Fatma Meriç Yılmaz, President of the Turkish Red Crescent Society, emphasized the importance of organizing joint training sessions, special exchange programs, developing educational modules, and applying digital solutions, which, in her opinion, will not only increase operational capacity but also further strengthen institutional ties.
Chingiz Jakipov, President of the Kyrgyz Red Crescent Society (and Turkish Red Crescent Society), underlined the significance of establishing the “Red Network” platform.
Final events for 2025 were reviewed, and Strategic Directions for 2026 were defined at the meeting.
The Turkic Red Network Declaration was signed in Baku within the framework of the annual meeting of the Council of Presidents of the national member societies of the Turkic Red Network of the OTS. The signed document confirms mutual cooperation and humanitarian solidarity between the national societies of the member countries.
The Declaration provides for expanding the exchange of information and experience, implementing joint humanitarian projects, strengthening coordinated emergency response capacity, and further bolstering regional solidarity.
The Turkic Red Network, founded in Bishkek in 2024, is a regional humanitarian platform that unites the Red Crescent and Red Cross societies of the member states of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS). This year, the chairmanship of the organization was transferred from Kyrgyzstan to Azerbaijan.
