H.E. Ambassador Kubanychbek Omuraliev, Secretary General of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS), met with Ms. Maimunah Mohd Sharif, Deputy-Secretary-General and Executive Director of the United Nations Human Settlements Program (UN-Habitat), on September 18, 2023, on the sidelines of the 78th United Nations General Assembly in New York City.

During the meeting, the parties engaged in discussions concerning the draft Work Plan for enhanced cooperation between the two organizations. This Work Plan represents a pivotal milestone in the collaborative journey initiated between OTS and UN-Habitat following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding in February 2023. Among the key aspects addressed during the meeting were the delineation of specific action items, milestones, and timelines within the mentioned document.

Furthermore, the Secretary General noted the importance of the 2nd Azerbaijan National Urban Forum, scheduled from September 29 to October 1, 2023. Ambassador Omuraliev expressed confidence that this forum will present a valuable opportunity to engage in discussions and initiatives related to urban development and explore potential areas of synergy.

Another focal point of the meeting was the anticipation of the official opening of the UN-Habitat office in Istanbul later this year. Both parties acknowledged the significant role this office will play as a catalyst for collaborative efforts between OTS and UN-Habitat in advancing sustainable urban development in Turkic region.