Shusha hosting first meeting of religious authorities of Turkic states

The first meeting of heads of state religious structures from member countries of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) is taking place in Shusha.

The event brings together representatives from Azerbaijan, Türkiye, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan, as well as OTS Secretary-General Kubanychbek Omuraliev.

The discussions focus on expanding cooperation in areas such as state-religious relations, education, legislative frameworks, and training in religious governance. Participants are also considering joint efforts in the protection, restoration, and international promotion of religious and cultural heritage sites shared by Turkic peoples.

The agenda further includes topics such as promoting inter-hub understanding, interfaith dialogue, Islamic solidarity, the exchange of experience and information in countering religious radicalism and extremism, and strengthening coordination among relevant institutions.

A key point of the meeting is the proposal to establish a permanent cooperation mechanism within the OTS framework for government bodies responsible for religious affairs.

The meeting is expected to conclude with the adoption of a joint communiqué.