The Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan in Austria – Permanent Mission to the International Organizations took part in “Turkic Week” held in Vienna, an event aimed at presenting the activities and growing international role of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS), DKNews.kz reports.
The week-long program brought together diplomacy, transport connectivity, and cultural exchange, showcasing the Turkic world on major international platforms.
Turkic Cultural Heritage Presented at the UN in Vienna
One of the key highlights of Turkic Week was a photo exhibition hosted at the United Nations Office in Vienna. The exhibition was dedicated to the historical and cultural heritage of the OTS member states – Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Türkiye, and Uzbekistan.
Through visual storytelling, visitors were introduced to the shared history, traditions, and cultural diversity of the Turkic world, underlining the importance of cultural diplomacy in strengthening international dialogue.
From the Silk Road to the Middle Corridor
As part of Turkic Week, a high-level roundtable discussion titled “From the Silk Road to the Middle Corridor: Promoting Connectivity through Transport and Trade Facilitation” was held at the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE).
Opening remarks were delivered by:
- Feridun H. Sinirlioğlu, OSCE Secretary General
- Ambassador Kubanychbek Omuraliev, Secretary General of the OTS
- Umberto de Pretto, Secretary General of the International Road Transport Union (IRU)
The discussion also featured representatives of OTS member states, as well as Alexander Andreas Schirhuber, Independent Director and Member of the Board of Directors of Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ) and Honorary Consul of Kazakhstan in Lower Austria.
Middle Corridor as a Strategic East–West Route
Speakers emphasized that the Middle Corridor has emerged as a strategically important transport route connecting East and West, linking Asia and Europe through the Turkic region.
It was noted that the corridor represents a modern continuation of the historic Silk Road, playing a key role in:
- diversifying global logistics routes
- increasing the resilience and reliability of supply chains
- expanding trade flows
- supporting the economic development of the region
The Middle Corridor was highlighted as a practical response to current global transport and trade challenges.
Platform for Inclusive Dialogue
The roundtable brought together members of the diplomatic corps, representatives of Austrian government institutions and the private sector, as well as heads of diplomatic missions of OTS member and observer states.
The discussion provided an inclusive platform for exchanging views on transport connectivity, trade facilitation, and regional cooperation across Eurasia.
Culture as a Bridge Between Nations
The Turkic Week program concluded with a concert featuring artistic groups from OTS member states, underscoring the cultural dimension of Turkic cooperation.
With the support of the Ministry of Culture and Information of Kazakhstan, the country was represented by:
- dombra duo Temirlan Olzhabay and Yernat Nauryz
- Kazakh dancer and choreographer Anel Marabayeva
- opera singer Aigerim Altynbek
Their performances showcased Kazakhstan’s rich musical and artistic traditions, reinforcing culture as a powerful bridge between nations.
Kazakhstan’s Active Role on International Platforms
Participation in Turkic Week in Vienna demonstrated Kazakhstan’s active role in promoting transport connectivity across Eurasia, strengthening cooperation within the Turkic world, and advancing cultural and diplomatic dialogue on international platforms.
