ANKARA, January 29. /Dunyo IA/. In an interview with Dunyo IA, Sayit Yusuf, Deputy Secretary General of TURKSOY, spoke about Uzbekistan’s role in preserving Turkic heritage and the country’s active position in advancing cooperation within the organization:

- The Turkic world is a vast civilization founded on a shared history, language, and great spiritual heritage. It occupies an important place in global development as a key region connecting East and West. State traditions, scientific and educational heritage, as well as the cultural wealth created by Turkic peoples, have made a significant contribution to the development of human civilization. Each country in the Turkic world possesses an immortal cultural heritage, and in this regard, the significance of Uzbekistan is incomparable.

This is because such magnificent and unique cities as Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva, Shakhrisabz, and Termez have for centuries served as cradles of culture and science. On this blessed land of the Turkic world emerged great scholars such as Muhammad al-Khwarizmi, Imam Bukhari, Imam Termizi, Hakim Termizi, Abu Rayhan Beruni, Abu Ali ibn Sina, Mahmud Zamakhshari, Mirzo Ulugbek, and Alisher Navoi. Their scholarly legacy in fields including mathematics, astronomy, medicine, philosophy, and the science of Hadith has formed a solid foundation not only for their era but also for the advancement of science and spirituality today.

For example, the great scholar Muhammad al-Khwarizmi, who lived and worked in the 8th–9th centuries, was among the first to introduce and apply the concept of ‘zero,’ the decimal numeral system, and polar coordinates. The scientific theories he developed in algebra and algorithmization are regarded as the basis for the development of modern mathematics, computer science, and digital technologies.”

The legacy of Imam Bukhari and Imam Termizi in the science of Hadith plays an important role in shaping Islamic spirituality, ethics, and social relations. Abu Rayhan Beruni pursued research in a wide range of scientific fields, including mathematics, astronomy, history, and geography. He put forward the idea that the Earth revolves around the Sun, demonstrated that the Earth is spherical, and created a geographical map of the world. The works of Abu Ali ibn Sina in the fields of medicine and philosophy form the foundation of modern medical education and scientific approaches. The astronomical observations and scientific calculations of Mirzo Ulugbek had a profound impact on the development of modern astronomy.

Such examples are numerous. Most importantly, today Uzbekistan, alongside preserving, studying, and promoting this great heritage, culture, and values, pays special attention to educating generations worthy of their illustrious ancestors.

It is particularly noteworthy that President Shavkat Mirziyoyev is implementing historic reforms to build a New Uzbekistan and laying the foundations of the Third Renaissance, placing strong emphasis on the development of open, practical, and mutually beneficial cooperation. The fact that Uzbekistan’s relations, including those with Turkic nations, have reached a new level has given a powerful impetus to the formation of an entirely new political environment not only in Central Asia, but across the entire Turkic world. Therefore, just as our historical past is united, our bright future can only be built on unity and solidarity, new creative achievements, and the development of our shared civilization. Today, perhaps more than ever before, all of humanity is in need of such unity.

The International Organization of Turkic Culture – TURKSOY – plays an immense role and holds great significance in strengthening friendly and solidary relations among our peoples. Uzbekistan is one of the founding members of this prestigious organization. At the instruction of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, since 2022 the country has been actively participating in TURKSOY’s activities, providing support at a high level. In this way, Uzbekistan has breathed new life into the organization’s work.

Today, the rich culture, art, traditions, and hospitality of the Uzbek people are clearly reflected in every project implemented within the framework of TURKSOY. In Uzbekistan, the Days of Culture and Art of Turkic countries, youth and theater festivals, and creative forums are held in a coordinated manner. Representatives of Uzbekistan actively participate in scholarly and educational events, international conferences dedicated to the development of Turkic languages and literature, as well as various cultural events and projects organized under the auspices of TURKSOY.

TURKSOY also takes an active part in international festivals of bakhshi and maqom arts, as well as in the “Sharq Taronalari” and “Lazgi” festivals, which have become hallmarks of Uzbekistan. The organization widely commemorates the anniversaries of great poets, thinkers, and historical figures—ancestors of the Uzbek people.

The 30th anniversary of TURKSOY was celebrated in Uzbekistan as a grand event.

An important milestone in the country’s cultural life was the establishment of the international Alisher Navoi Award, honoring outstanding representatives of the Turkic world who have achieved significant success in politics, science, medicine, literature, and the arts.

One of the most inspiring traditions in cultural and artistic cooperation is the annual designation of one city of the Turkic states as the “Cultural Capital of the Turkic World”. This initiative provides a powerful impetus for showcasing the uniqueness, culture, art, and values of each country on the international stage through the image of that city. In 2021, the city of Khiva in Uzbekistan was named the “Cultural Capital of the Turkic World”. This year, the city of Andijan has received the same high status. In this regard, a significant portion of TURKSOY’s activities in 2026 will be closely associated with Uzbekistan.

Last year, the city of Kokand was recognized as the “City of Crafts of the Turkic World.”

As is well known, each member state has its own representative in the TURKSOY General Secretariat. We were particularly pleased that last year a representative of Uzbekistan officially began work in our General Secretariat for the first time. We believe this will contribute to the further strengthening and development of our cooperation.

We are deeply gratified that the leader of Uzbekistan consistently pays close attention to the activities of TURKSOY. In particular, in his congratulatory message to the participants of the Days of Culture held in Uzbekistan on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of our organization, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev emphasized: “We gratefully acknowledge the great role and significance of TURKSOY in strengthening friendly and solidary relations among our peoples, who share a common history, language and religion, customs and traditions, as well as today’s dreams and aspirations”.

The Head of Uzbekistan also put forward a number of proposals for the further development of TURKSOY. In particular, at the informal summit of the Organization of Turkic States held in Budapest on May 21, 2025, he highlighted TURKSOY’s special role in advancing cultural cooperation among our countries and emphasized the need to improve its activities and structure in line with modern requirements, in order to elevate these efforts to a new level and further enhance the organization’s prestige. On this basis, at the 12th meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Organization of Turkic States, held on October 7 last year in Gabala, the resolution “On the Development and Strengthening of the International Organization of Turkic Culture – TURKSOY” was adopted.

At present, the TURKSOY General Secretariat is actively working together with member states to ensure the implementation of this resolution. On the eve of the end of 2025, we witnessed yet another significant and joyful event. In November, a ceremony honoring the laureates of the international “Future Heritage” award was held at the Center of Islamic Civilization in Uzbekistan, with the participation of the presidents of Central Asian countries and Azerbaijan. It is especially important for us that among the first recipients of this prestigious award, the Secretary General of TURKSOY, People’s Writer of Kyrgyzstan Sultan Raev, was honored in the “Literature” category.

In conclusion, it should be emphasized that Uzbekistan’s place in the Turkic world is determined not only by its rich historical heritage, but also by its strategic aspirations toward a bright future. The idea of the Third Renaissance promoted by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, along with innovations implemented within the framework of TURKSOY, serves to strengthen the spiritual unity of our brotherly peoples. Such unity, in the name of honoring our ancestors and ensuring the happiness of future generations, will undoubtedly further enhance the prestige of Turkic civilization on the global stage. Uzbekistan, with its strong scientific and cultural potential, will remain the spiritual heart of the Turkic world.