The Organization of Turkic States (OTS) held its 3rd Diaspora Capacity Building Training Program on 13–14 January 2026 in Vienna, Austria, as part of the Turkic Week in Vienna, bringing together representatives of diaspora institutions, civil society organizations, and diplomatic missions from across the Turkic World and Europe.
Addressing the event, Kubanychbek Omuraliev, Secretary General of the Organization of Turkic States, emphasized the unifying power of culture in strengthening ties among Turkic communities abroad and highlighted the role of cultural diplomacy in fostering mutual understanding and solidarity.
The main training program was held on January 14 at the Azerbaijan Cultural Center in Vienna.
The opening session featured addresses by: Ambassador Kubanychbek Omuraliev, OTS Secretary General; Ambassador Rovshan Sadigbayli, Permanent Representative of Azerbaijan to the United Nations Office and Other International Organizations in Vienna, representing Azerbaijan’s Chairmanship of the OTS; Ambassador Gürsel Dönmez, Ambassador of Türkiye to Austria; Ambassador Levent Eler, Permanent Representative of Türkiye to the United Nations Office and Other International Organizations in Vienna; and Ambassador Nurjan Shaildabekova, Ambassador of Kyrgyzstan to Austria and Permanent Representative to the OSCE and other international organizations in Vienna.
In their remarks, the speakers underlined the strategic importance of Turkic diasporas as key partners in strengthening people-to-people ties, promoting the shared cultural heritage of the Turkic World, and enhancing cooperation and visibility in Europe.
The opening was followed by presentations by the Heads of Delegations of the OTS Member States and Observers, focusing on national approaches, institutional frameworks, and best practices in diaspora engagement.
During the interactive sessions, participants exchanged views on the current state and activities of Turkic diasporas in Europe, prospective efforts to strengthen coordination and cooperation among diaspora organizations, as well as the role of diaspora institutions of the OTS Member States and Observers in supporting community resilience, youth engagement, and public diplomacy.
The program concluded with an exchange of experiences among diaspora representatives and a family photo, reaffirming the shared commitment to closer coordination and collective action.
The 3rd Diaspora Capacity Building Training Program contributed to advancing the OTS’s efforts to build a more structured, connected, and empowered Turkic diaspora network, in line with the Organization’s long-term vision of unity, solidarity, and cooperation across the Turkic World.