A delegation chaired by the Presidency's Deputy Head of Communications, Ferhat Pirinççi, represented our country at the 7th Meeting of Ministers and High Officials in Charge of Media and Information of the Organisation of Turkic States (OTS) and the 12th Meeting of the Working Group on Media and Information, hosted by Azerbaijan in Baku on November 27-28.
Hosted by Executive Director of the Azerbaijan Media Development Agency Ahmad Ismayilov, the meeting was attended by Deputy Head of Communications of the Presidency of Türkiye Ferhat Pirinççi; Vice Minister of Culture and Information of Kazakhstan Kanat Iskakov; Director of the Centre for the Production of Content for Mass Media under the Presidential Administration of Uzbekistan Kobuljon Akhmedov; and Ambassador of Kyrgyzstan to Azerbaijan Maksat Mamytkanov.
Other attendees included the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), Tahsin Ertuğruloğlu, and OTS Deputy Secretary General Ömer Kocaman.
Executive Director of the Azerbaijan Media Development Agency, Ahmad Ismayilov, highlighted that the agency attaches great importance to active cooperation in the media sector within the framework of the OTS.
Ismayilov said, "We view the OTS as a platform for joint efforts against disinformation and hybrid threats as well. Azerbaijan reaffirms its commitment to a more deeply integrated media environment within the OTS, one built on mutual trust, shared values, and professional integrity.”
OTS Deputy Secretary General Kocaman stated that information is a strategic resource that shapes perceptions in today's world, influences politics, and determines how countries are perceived globally.
Kocaman added, "A coordinated media effort is required both to protect our shared history, values, and unity and to convey our narratives to the world confidently."
Kocaman emphasised the growing challenges of disinformation, fake news, and cyber threats, saying, "We must establish a resilient and reliable information ecosystem based on public trust to combat these threats. Through collaborative efforts, we can make sure that our media environment offers accurate, constructive, and inspiring information that fosters cooperation and advancement."
"As the Turkic World, we share a common history, culture, language, and destiny. However, the global visibility and impact of this shared identity can only be achieved through a strong communication network."
Presidency's Deputy Head of Communications Ferhat Pirinççi stated that these meetings were of great value, as they provide an opportunity for the representatives of the Turkic States to develop new mechanisms to address current challenges in the field of communication and media, adding, "This meeting is not merely a working platform; it represents a strategic step towards establishing a stronger unity in communication, media, and information across our shared kindred geography."
He pointed out that the Organisation of Turkic States was established sixteen years ago to promote comprehensive cooperation among the Turkic States and has now become one of the strongest cooperation structures in the region. He went on to say, "As stated by our President, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, the Organisation of Turkic States is advancing beyond being merely a regional umbrella, moving towards becoming a global actor and serving as an exemplary model of cooperation."
Pirinççi expressed his satisfaction with UNESCO’s decision to designate December 15 as the “World Turkic Language Family Day, and stressed that this meaningful decision constituted a significant achievement for the Turkic World, once again highlighting the richness of the Turkic language, its deep-rooted cultural heritage, and its prominent place within global civilisations.
Pirinççi stated that cooperation in the field of media and communication was no longer limited to the mere sharing of news; it became a critical strategic necessity encompassing the advocacy of shared values, the circulation of accurate information, and the neutralisation of misinformation. He added, "As the Turkic World, we share a common history, culture, language, and destiny. However, the global visibility and impact of this shared identity can only be achieved through a strong communication network."
"We believe that as our cooperation in the field of media and information strengthens, the visibility, reputational capacity, and power of influence of the Turkic States in the international arena will likewise increase."
Pirinçci, the Presidency's Deputy Head of Communications, stated that communication and media have become a strategic ground for shaping society's future, and thus, strong, transparent, and sustainable cooperation among OTS countries has become essential.
Pirinçci emphasised that fake news and disinformation affect not only domestic public opinion in countries but also many areas ranging from foreign policy to economic relations, making media literacy more important now than ever. He said that information manipulation could only be countered through collective action, underscoring the importance of sharing technical capacities, establishing joint digital platforms, reciprocal training programmes for media professionals, and coordination mechanisms to ensure rapid information flow.
He underlined that the Presidency’s Directorate of Communications attaches great importance to the implementation of the 2025 Information Action Plan on the Information Field of the OTS Member States, and added that contributions under the Action Plan would continue in 2026 as well.
Pirinççi stated, "We believe that as our cooperation in the field of media and information strengthens, the visibility, reputational capacity, and power of influence of the Turkic States in the international arena will likewise increase."
Pirinççi said:
"Robust media cooperation grounded in our shared values will contribute to fostering a peaceful and just communication environment not only among our countries but also across our region and the wider world. In this context, as Türkiye, we are ready to share our experiences in the media field with the OTS countries. The Presidency's Directorate of Communications, together with Anadolu Agency, Türkiye Radio-Television Corporation, Press Advertisement Agency, and the Radio and Television Supreme Council, is determined to continue initiatives to enhance cooperation with their counterparts in brotherly countries."
As for Kazakhstan's Deputy Minister of Culture and Information, Iskakov, he emphasised the importance of focusing on joint initiatives that produce tangible results.
Iskakov cited joint initiatives such as OTS member states' TV channels broadcasting in each other's territories, the production of feature-length and documentary films promoting the countries' history, culture, tourism, and investment potential, as well as content aimed at children, and the development of joint proposals on AI ethics, data protection, and combating manipulation.
"Our institutions are ready to participate in joint projects within the Turkic world"
TRNC Minister of Foreign Affairs Ertuğruloğlu also pointed out that challenges such as misinformation, manipulation, and digital propaganda in the modern world require coordinated responses.
"The TRNC is ready to contribute to these efforts. Our institutions, shaped by historical experience, are ready to participate in joint projects, information sharing, and capacity-building initiatives within the Turkic world," Ertuğruloğlu said.
The Director of the Center for the Production of Content for Mass Media under the Administration of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Akhmedov, said, "We see great potential in joint initiatives. A rich culture, shared historical roots, and a desire for development bind Turkic states together. Uzbekistan is ready to actively participate in the implementation of all joint initiatives in the field of media."
The Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kyrgyz Republic to the Republic of Azerbaijan, Maksat Mamytkanov, stated that OTS states have made remarkable strides in various fields, adding, "The collaboration in the field of information is of utmost importance. Social networks can sometimes disseminate information that is far from reality. For this reason, strengthening the trust between our nations and states is one of the fundamental issues."
The meeting concluded with the decision for the 8th Meeting of Ministers and High Officials in Charge of Media and Information of the OTS to be held in Kazakhstan, as well as the adoption of the action plan for 2026 and a declaration.
