Turkic states unveil new flag as symbol of unity

The Organization of Turkic States (OTS) held a special flag-raising ceremony in front of it's secretariat headquarters in Istanbul, marking the formal completion of the transition to its revised flag.

This was announced on the OTC official X account on March 12, Caliber.Az reports.

The Organization of Turkic States (OTS) held a special flag-raising ceremony on 12 March 2025 in front of the OTS Secretariat headquarters in Istanbul, marking the formal completion of the transition to its revised flag. The event was attended by Secretary General H.E. Amb.… pic.twitter.com/kVRq5am4UZ

— Organization of Turkic States (@Turkic_States) March 12, 2025

Azerbaijan was represented at the event by Deputy Foreign Minister Samir Sharifov.

The OTS adopted an updated flag symbolizing unity and shared heritage at its 11th summit in Bishkek back in November 2024. The flag’s blue and white colors symbolize purity, tradition, and the vast steppe. It also features an octagon, a symbol of guidance and wisdom, alongside a sun with forty rays, representing light, openness, and vitality. The crescent moon and star—a symbol of Turkic statehood—embody growth, aspiration, and progress, promoting a sense of kinship and cultural ties.

As Caliber.Az recalls, the OTS was officially established on November 12, 2021, as a successor to the Cooperation Council of Turkic-Speaking States (also known as Turkic Council), which was founded on October 3, 2009. It's member states are Türkiye, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan while the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, Hungary, and Turkmenistan enjoy observary status.

An informal summit of the Heads of State of OTS was hosted in the ancient Azerbaijani city of Shusha on July 6, 2024, where the "Garabagh Declaration", a comprehensive guideline for the region's future cooperation was signed.

By Nazrin Sadigova