As part of the 2nd Meeting of the Ministers of Industry, Science, Technology, and Innovation of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS), the Working Group Meeting was held in Baku, where the implementation of the Joint Declaration and Action Plan was discussed.
The meeting was organized by Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Economy, with discussions focused on enhancing cooperation among the OTS member states and the implementation of new initiatives.
Merey Mukazhan, Deputy Secretary General of OTS, highlighted that the shared historical and cultural values among member states provide a strong foundation for partnership. She emphasized the significant role of green technologies and accelerating transformation in this field for the sustainable development of the region, expressing confidence in the importance of the working group’s role in strengthening mutual cooperation.
Samad Bashirli, Deputy Minister of Economy of the Republic of Azerbaijan, stressed that the OTS Working Group serves as an excellent platform for strengthening collaboration in the Turkic world and discussing new initiatives. He noted that, within the framework of the Action Plan, institutional relations among member and observer countries have been further strengthened, and knowledge and experience exchange has expanded. He emphasized Azerbaijan’s strong commitment to relations with Turkic states and highlighted the importance of the event for expanding partnerships in areas such as industry, education, innovation, technology, investment, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and others.
The meeting focused on the implementation of the Action Plan. Discussions centered on artificial intelligence and digital transformation in industrial production, the implementation of programs aimed at strengthening innovation ecosystems, promoting investments, and supporting SMEs. Other topics included the organization of research and scholarship programs, institutional support mechanisms for promoting scientific and technological cooperation, and joint initiatives in the development of infrastructure related to metrology, food safety, standardization, intellectual property, and space technologies. Future steps for the working group’s activities were also discussed.
During the meeting, the visiting delegation was introduced to the activities of the "Baku SME House."
Representatives of the Small and Medium Business Development Agency (SMBDA) and the "Baku SME House" provided information to the guests about the concept of the SME House and its advantages. It was highlighted that services provided by both government and private organizations to entrepreneurial entities are presented in a coordinated and unified manner within the SME House. This model is one of the innovations in delivering business services. In 2024, the SME House model was recognized as an advanced innovative practice by the OECD’s Research Center on Innovations in the Public Sector, and its application was recommended to member countries of the organization. Several countries have already signed cooperation agreements regarding the implementation of this model.
During the tour of the SME House, the guests had their questions answered.
