The Organization of Turkic States (OTS) convened a conference titled "The OTS as an Emerging Actor for Achieving Sustainable Development Goals" on 22 April 2024 at the UN facilities in Geneva. The event, held during Turkic Week in Geneva, brought together heads and representatives of international organizations, diplomatic missions of Members and Observers, prominent experts and academia, as well as private sector.
Moderated by Amb. Olga Algayerova, Former Executive Secretary of the UN Economic Commission for Europe, the panel session was attended by H.E. Amb. Kubanychbek Omuraliev, the OTS Secretary General, Mr. Tony Bonnici, Chief, Cooperation and Partnerships Section, the UN Economic Commission for Europe, Ms. Beate Andrees, Regional Director for Europe and Central Asia and Assistant Director-General of the International Labor Organization, Ms. Tatiana Ray-Bellet, Director TIR & Transit, the International Road Transport Union, and Dr. Corinne Capuano, Executive Director, Office of the Regional Director, WHO EURO.
In his speech, H.E. Ambassador Kubanychbek Omuraliev, Secretary General of the OTS, underscored the Organization's commitment to aligning its goals with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). He highlighted the OTS's focus on economic cooperation, transport and infrastructure development, cultural exchange, and education initiatives as key pillars of its strategy for achieving sustainable development.
Ambassador Omuraliev emphasized the OTS's pragmatic and practical approach, based on the needs of member states. He outlined various initiatives undertaken by the OTS to promote economic growth, enhance connectivity, and address challenges such as high transport costs and insufficient infrastructure capacity.
During the panel discussions, the representatives of international organizations, underlining the importance of SDGs, expressed their support for the OTS's initiatives and underscored the importance of collaboration in achieving shared development objectives.
Commending the efforts of the OTS in enhancing economic growth, promoting digitalization in transport and transit, and ensuring public health, the panelists exchanged views and shared their recommendations on developing PPPs and infrastructure financing, fostering social protection and gender equality.
The conference provided a platform for fruitful discussions on the OTS's achievements, challenges, and future prospects in advancing sustainable development goals.
