OTS Forum in Vienna Spotlights Transport, Trade Facilitation Across Eurasia
BAKU: A Round Table titled “From the Silk Road to the Middle Corridor: Promoting Connectivity through Transport and Trade Facilitation” was held on January 13 at the OSCE Hofburg (Bibliotheksaal) in Vienna as part of Turkic Week, organized by the Organization of Turkic States (OTS).
The event opened with remarks by Feridun H. Sinirlioğlu, Secretary General of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), and Kubanychbek Omuraliev, OTS Secretary General, who stressed the importance of transport connectivity and trade facilitation in promoting regional cooperation, economic resilience, and sustainable development across Eurasia.
Moderated by Bakyt Dzhusupov, Coordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities, the discussions included a keynote by Umberto de Pretto, Secretary General of the International Road Transport Union (IRU), highlighting global trends in road transport, digitalization, and public–private cooperation to improve corridor efficiency.
Other participants included senior officials from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Türkiye, Uzbekistan, and representatives from international organizations and private-sector logistics firms. The OTS Secretary General underscored the strategic role of the Middle Corridor as a modern continuation of the historic Silk Road, supporting diversified, resilient, and sustainable supply chains.
Concrete steps to advance connectivity were highlighted, including digitalization of transport and customs processes, development of multimodal hubs, and strengthened public-private collaboration through OTS-affiliated initiatives such as the Alliance of Logistics Centers and Cargo Carriers of the Turkic States.
The Round Table gathered diplomats, public authorities, and private-sector representatives, providing a platform for dialogue and exchange. The event concluded with a reception that facilitated informal networking among participants.
