Azerbaijan concludes term as TURKPA chair, Kazakhstan steps in

The chairmanship of the Parliamentary Assembly of Turkic States (TURKPA) has officially transferred from Azerbaijan to Kazakhstan.

According to a statement from TURKPA, cited by local media, Azerbaijani Parliament Speaker Sahiba Gafarova formally handed over the chairmanship to her Kazakh counterpart, Yerlan Koshanov, Caliber.Az reports.

This transition follows last year’s rotation in which Türkiye passed the leadership to Azerbaijan.

TURKPA, established in 2008 by the parliaments of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Türkiye, functions as a key interparliamentary body aiming to deepen cooperation among Turkic-speaking nations.

With its permanent secretariat located in Baku, Azerbaijan, the organisation facilitates joint legislative initiatives and promotes collaboration across numerous sectors, including law, education, economy, public health, and environmental protection.

Hungary and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus participate as observers, while the core of the assembly remains centred on its four founding members.

TURKPA regularly organises plenary sessions, supports electoral observation missions, and encourages dialogue on pressing regional and global matters.

As the parliamentary arm of the Organisation of Turkic States, it also seeks to promote closer cultural ties and mutual understanding among its members.

Through these activities, TURKPA continues to play a vital role in advancing political and socio-economic integration across the Turkic-speaking world.

By Tamilla Hasanova