The 1st International Law Congress of Turkic States was held on 13 May 2025 in Istanbul, organized by Yeditepe University. The Congress brought together senior officials, legal experts, and academics from across the Turkic world to explore ways to deepen legal cooperation among the Turkic States and foster dialogue on shared legal principles and practices.

H.E. Binali Yıldırım, Chairman of the Council of Elders of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS), and Mr. Ömer Kocaman, Deputy Secretary General of the OTS  attended and addressed the participants during the opening session.

In his address, H.E. Binali Yıldırım emphasized the importance of unity, shared values, and legal dialogue among the Turkic States. He underlined the relevance of key strategic initiatives such as the development of a Common Alphabet and a Common History, which serve as pillars of cultural and intellectual integration in the Turkic World. He also noted the growing importance of the Middle Corridor as a vital East-West transport route and the increasing role of the Organization of Turkic States as a dynamic platform for cooperation on a global scale.

Mr. Ömer Kocaman, in his speech, highlighted the OTS’s expanding legal cooperation mechanisms, including the Council of Prosecutors General, the Turkic Judicial Training Network, the Conference of the High Courts, and the Turkic World Union of Notaries. He also informed participants about upcoming activities, such as the 3rd Meeting of the Presidents of the Councils of Judges and the 2nd Meeting of the Ministers of Internal Affairs, to be held in Baku, Azerbaijan.

The Congress served as an important platform for discussing best practices, exchanging experiences, and identifying future concrete projects in the legal sphere among OTS Member and Observer States, reinforcing their commitment to building a common legal space based on shared values and mutual trust.