Uzbekistan in the Unification and Integration of the Turkic World: From Accession to Strategic Leadership

This article is devoted to the analysis of the participation and role of the Republic of Uzbekistan in the Organization of Turkic States (OTS), the leading integration association of Turkic-speaking countries. Based on a comprehensive analysis of official documents, speeches by the country's leadership, and statistical data, the author examines the evolution of Uzbekistan’s policy within the OTS from its accession in 2019 to its active role in shaping the organization’s agenda in 2025–2026. The study demonstrates that under the leadership of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Uzbekistan initiated the institutional transformation of the OTS from a predominantly cultural and humanitarian platform into a comprehensive mechanism for economic, transport-logistics, and digital integration. Particular attention is paid to the analysis of more than 98 practical initiatives proposed by the Uzbek side, over 70 of which have already been implemented. The research identifies the key directions of Uzbekistan’s leadership within the Turkic world: economic integration (an increase in mutual trade from USD 4 billion to USD 11 billion), transport connectivity (development of the Middle Corridor and the China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan railway project), digital transformation (the concept of the “Digital Turkic Corridor” and initiatives in the field of artificial intelligence), as well as institutional development (proposals for establishing a Permanent Council for Economic Partnership, a Turkic Investment Bank, and an Emergency Monitoring Center in Tashkent). The article concludes that Uzbekistan has developed a comprehensive model for ensuring regional security through sustainable development and economic interdependence, offering an alternative to traditional military-political approaches. The study is intended for specialists in regional integration, international relations, and Eurasian studies.