Objectives

The Organization of Turkic States (OTS) aims to foster enhanced cooperation among the Ministries of Health of its Member and Observer States. This includes sharing best practices, assisting one another during health crises, and establishing a strong foundation for collaboration beyond the COVID-19 pandemic. The Organization seeks to institutionalize solidarity among its members through initiatives such as joint research and development, mutual support in pharmaceutical production, and coordinated efforts in health emergencies.

Mechanisms

To achieve its objectives, the OTS relies on a multi-layered mechanism of coordination and action.

Health Coordination Committee

A central body to oversee cooperation and policy coordination among Member States. Sub-groups:

• Health Scientific Group: Leading scientists and experts exchange knowledge on combating pandemics and other infectious diseases.
• Supply Chain Group: Facilitates the exchange and production of pharmaceutical products and medical equipment.

Since the establishment of this cooperation, the Secretariat have organized 8 meetings of the Health Scientific Group and 5 meetings of the Supply Chain Group where the parties discussed the pressing issues related to COVID-19 and other health priorities of the Member States and exchanged their knowledge with their colleagues.

Meetings and Summits

Regular ministerial and scientific meetings to discuss key issues and adopt action plans.

• The Ministers of Health of the Member and Observer States came together in Istanbul on 30 October 2020 for the 4th Meeting of the Health Scientific Group.
• The Turkic Medical World Congress of the OTS held in Istanbul on 30-31 October 2022 with the participation of H.E. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, President of the Republic of Türkiye.
• The 2nd Meeting of the Ministers of Health was held on the margins of the Turkic Medical World Congress on 31 October 2022 Istanbul.
• The 3rd meeting of the Minsters of Health of the OTS and 2nd Turkic Medical World Congress of the OTS were held on 16 August 2023 in Samarkand.
• The 4th meeting of Ministers in charge of Health of the OTS was held on 8 October 2024 in Shusha, Azerbaijan.

Training and Capacity Building

• Programs like the “Leadership in Health Emergencies” training course and disaster response training sessions.
• The Ministry of Health of the Republic of Türkiye organized the first face-to-face Vaccine Workshop of the Health Scientific Group on 24-27 August 2020 in İzmir, where Türkiye shared its experience in vaccine development and combatting the pandemic.
• On-site field practice exercises, such as the Emergency Health Preparedness Exercise held in Izmir on 16-17 December 2021 organized by the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Türkiye in partnership with the Turkish Cooperation and Development Agency (TIKA) and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).
• 2^nd face-to-face training program for strengthening the laboratory systems and developing the professional capacities of the laboratory personnel of the Member and Observer States of the OTS held on 14-27 March 2022 in Ankara.
• The “Turkic World Emergency Medical Rescue Team” training was organized on 2-6 October 2023 at the Disaster and Simulation Training Center in Urla, Türkiye.

Framework

The OTS’s health cooperation framework is built on agreements and declarations made at ministerial meetings and summits. These documents outline the strategic goals and operational plans for collaboration, such as the Pandemic Action Plan and the Joint Declaration of the Health Scientific Group. Institutional support is provided by the Secretariat and the Ministries of Health of Member States, with additional contributions from international organizations like the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Turkish Cooperation and Development Agency (TIKA).

The Action Plan for the implementation of the MoU on cooperation between the OTS and the European Office of the WHO/Europe for the term 2024-2025 was signed by Secretary General of the OTS Ambassador Kubanychbek Omuraliev and the Regional Director of the WHO for Europe Dr. Hans Kluge on 28 October 2023 in Copenhagen, Denmark. In line with the Action Plan, “Leadership in Health Emergencies” training course for the health professionals from the Member and Observer States of the OTS was launched on 15 April 2024 in hybrid format. The training program included 12 hours online courses and 5 days in-person workshop in Istanbul and was attended by more than 20 health professionals from the Member States of the OTS.

Projects

• TURKTRANSPLANT Unified Information System

Establishing a shared system for organ transplantation among Member States.

• Turkic Pharmacopoeia

Developing a standardized system for medicine recognition and production.

• Training Programs

Strengthening lab personnel skills and health emergency leadership and organizing simulation-based medical rescue training programs.

• Workshops and Conferences

Vaccine workshop held in İzmir in 2020 and Turkic Medical World Congress events to address post-pandemic health challenges.

• Action Plan with WHO Europe

Implementation of the 2024-2025 memorandum of understanding for leadership in health emergencies.

• Joint Production Initiatives

Exploring production and procurement of vaccines, medicines, and medical devices collaboratively.

• Future Plans

Upcoming meetings in 2025 focusing on advancing health cooperation and implementation of new projects.