Ahead of the 13^th Summit of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) in Ankara, Turkish media are highlighting Uzbekistan’s economic reforms, its role in regional cooperation and its contribution to the shared cultural heritage of the Turkic peoples, reports Dunyo IA correspondent.

In particular, newspapers “Diriliş Postası” and “Yeni Şafak” have published articles on the country’s development, while the television channel “Ülke TV” has produced a series of 22 documentaries on Uzbekistan’s history and civilizational heritage.

An article in “Diriliş Postası” entitled “New Uzbekistan Is Rising: Strategic Power in the Turkic World” notes that Uzbekistan’s economy grew by an average of more than 6 per cent annually between 2017 and 2025. In the first half of 2026, economic growth reached 8.5 percent, while foreign investment approached $28 billion.

Publication also highlights Uzbekistan’s credit rating upgrades by “Fitch” and “Standard & Poor’s” from BB− to BB, with a positive outlook. Key factors cited include reforms in the energy sector, privatization, improvements in the investment climate and preparations for accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO).

In an article entitled “New Uzbekistan Is Being Built on the Foundation of Reforms”, “Yeni Şafak” emphasises the importance of the country’s young population as the foundation of its long-term potential: around 52 percent of residents are under the age of 30. The article also highlights the tourism potential of Samarkand and Bukhara and the strengthening of Uzbekistan’s international standing.

Turkish media pay particular attention to cooperation within the Organization of Turkic States. Uzbekistan became a full member of the organization in 2019 and held its chairmanship in 2022–2023, hosting a major summit in Samarkand and organizing more than 100 events.

During this period, “Turkic World Vision 2040” and the strategy for 2022–2026 were adopted. Trade turnover among the Turkic states exceeded $10 billion, while investment ties and joint projects in transport and logistics continued to expand.

According to “Diriliş Postası”, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has put forward around 100 initiatives at OTS summits aimed at advancing practical cooperation. These include the establishment of a Space of New Economic Opportunities, a Turkic States Industrial Alliance and a Council of Railway Administrations.

Television channel “Ülke TV” is also launching weekly broadcasts of a documentary series entitled “A Journey into Uzbekistan’s Civilisation”, produced with the support of Uzbekistan’s Embassy in Ankara. Filming has covered Samarkand, Bukhara and Tashkent, highlighting the country’s significance in the history of Turkic and Islamic civilisations.

Documentaries will showcase the legacy of Imam al-Bukhari, Mirzo Ulugbek, Imam Maturidi, Bahauddin Naqshband and Amir Temur. The project aims to introduce Turkish audiences to shared historical roots, cultural ties and the region’s contribution to global science and intellectual and spiritual thought.

Against the backdrop of the upcoming summit, these publications and the television project underscore the strengthening of Uzbek–Turkish ties and the commitment to expanding cooperation in the economic, political and cultural spheres. Uzbekistan is presented as an active participant in integration processes across the Turkic world.