The Organization of Turkic States announced that the official opening of the event took place during a ceremony dedicated to the photo exhibition "The Turkic World on the Silk Road," which was held at the United Nations headquarters.
Several high-ranking guests spoke at the opening. Acting Director of the Operational Activities Division of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime Bo Mathiesen introduced the host side. The Secretary-General of the Organization of Turkic States, Ambassador Kubanychbek Omuraliev, Deputy Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan Samir Sharifov, who represented the chairing country in the OTS, Deputy Director-General of UNIDO Fatou Haidara, and Deputy Director of UNOSAT Driss El Hadani also delivered welcoming speeches.
In his speech, the Secretary-General of the OTS noted that the Silk Road represents an important historical and civilizational space that has united the cultures and economies of Eurasia for centuries. He emphasized that the modern initiatives of the Organization of Turkic States in the fields of transportation, connectivity, trade facilitation, and humanitarian exchanges are a continuation of this rich heritage.
The photo exhibition, organized jointly by the Secretariat of the Organization of Turkic States and the Turkic Academy, offers viewers a visual representation of the cultural heritage, historical significance, and geographical unity of the Turkic world along the Silk Road.
The ceremony concluded with a reception hosted by the Embassy of Azerbaijan.
