Azerbaijan to reaffirm Turkic unity with single alphabet at OTS Congress in 2026

Azerbaijan is set to assume the chairmanship of the Organisation of Turkic States (OTS) in 2026, with plans to host a significant congress in Baku to mark the 100th anniversary of the First Turkic Congress.

This event will once again spotlight the issue of a unified Turkic alphabet, said Ömer Kocaman, OTS Deputy Secretary General, Caliber.Az reports via local media.

Kocaman discussed the ongoing efforts to establish a common alphabet for Turkic-speaking countries, which has been a topic of discussion for many years. He emphasized the notable progress that has been made, revealing that a 34-letter alphabet has already been approved for the first time in the history of Turkic states.

"The issue of a common language and alphabet has always been a subject of discussion. Now significant progress has been made in this direction," Kocaman said.

"For the first time in history, an alphabet of 34 letters has been approved. The First Turkic Congress was held in Baku in 1926, where a common alphabet was adopted. We are preparing for the 100th anniversary of this event, and I believe that by 2026, the issue of a common alphabet should be finally resolved," he added.

Kocaman confirmed that Azerbaijan, as the upcoming chair of the OTS, will organize a major congress in Baku to celebrate the centenary of the 1926 congress and make a definitive announcement on the unified Turkic alphabet. "Within the framework of Azerbaijan's chairmanship of the OTS, we will hold a big congress in Baku and once again announce the single alphabet to the world," he stated.

By Vafa Guliyeva