OTS to promote digital cooperation in tourism sector

The member states of the Organization of Turkic States agreed to promote digital cooperation in the tourism sector by facilitating access to national tourism platforms and digital services, as stated in the Turkistan Declaration adopted today following the informal OTS summit.

According to Report's correspondent in Turkistan, the document also emphasizes the need to encourage the exchange of information and best practices in order to promote joint tourism products and sustainably increase tourist flows within the OTS.

"We emphasize the importance of promoting telemedicine, digitalization, and the integration of artificial intelligence into healthcare through joint projects, while also facilitating technology transfer and improving digital literacy in healthcare in order to ensure equal access to modern medical services among member and observer states," the declaration states.

The leaders also highlighted the importance of using artificial intelligence to combat growing environmental crises, including climate change, biodiversity loss, degradation of mountain ecosystems, glacier melting, and environmental pollution, through investments in AI infrastructure and capacity-building programs.

"It is important to support the development of AI-based early warning systems for forecasting extreme weather events and taking proactive measures to reduce damage by promoting energy- and water-efficient AI systems in order to ensure sustainability," the document states.

The signatories particularly emphasized the integration of ethical, responsible, and human-centered artificial intelligence and digital solutions into key sectors such as smart manufacturing, agriculture, healthcare (including telemedicine), e-governance, education, smart cities, environmental monitoring, climate resilience, and the preservation of cultural heritage.

In addition, the parties agreed to encourage the establishment of joint technoparks, innovation hubs, venture funds, and public-private partnerships to stimulate digital entrepreneurship, technological sovereignty, and the commercialization of AI-based innovations across the Turkic world.