The Committee

Previously known as the Assembly of Turkic-speaking States, also known as the Assembly of Heads of State of Turkic-speaking States, the assembly brings together presidents of nations with a similar historical background, Turkic ethnic connection, and cultural heritage on the basis of mutual respect for each other's sovereign equality. The Assembly, which has taken place on occasion since 1992, includes discussions of the issues plaguing the Turkish community at the moment. The Assembly serves as a connection between the member Turkic states while making decisions tackling issues discussed.

The Turkic-speaking states did not have the chance to actively build political, economic, and cultural ties among themselves, independent of the two major international powers (NATO and the USSR), given that they were divided into opposing blocs between 1944 and 1991. Following this, the Republic of Turkey became the first country to acknowledge the 1990s-era Turkish Republics' independence. By signing the agreements pushed forward by the Republic of Turkey at the beginning of the years, the act was aimed to ensure that the nations in the area got rid of the system they had inherited from the USSR (Union of Soviet Socialist Republics) era, reinforced their sovereignty, and reclaimed their historical and cultural identities.

Likewise, nations that speak Turkic languages have direct ties to the Republic of Turkey. They have put into practice a foreign policy plan focusing on expanding ties with the Republic of Turkey in the areas of commerce, transportation, culture, and education. As one of many steps taken as a direct result of the aforementioned policy and the Republic of Turkey’s efforts, Turkic-speaking states organized the ‘Assembly of Heads of State of Turkic-speaking States’ (also known and mentioned as the Assembly of Turkic-speaking States) assembly, which was held annually until 2010. This was done in an effort to fortify the ties between the states while laying the groundwork for integration and working together to find solutions to issues that might arise in the post-bipolar world order created as an aftermath of the Cold War.

On October 20 and 21, the Turkic Council carried out its first assembly in Almaty with the focus being on economic and commercial cooperation. Agreements and rules were developed during this conference, particularly for institutionalization purposes. The Turkish Business Council was created as a sub-unit after the business organizations of the participating states were brought together. Subunits were to be established, it was decided at the second assembly. In Astana, the Turkish Academy and the Turkish Culture and Heritage Foundation were founded within this context. Additionally to all of these, the assembly's agreement on financial principles led to the creation and institutionalization of the Turkic Council Secretariat.

On August 15–16, 2013, the third assembly took place in Gabala, Azerbaijan, with institutionalization as its focus. The foreign ministers of the Cooperation Council of Turkic-speaking states signed a memorandum of cooperation. The fourth assembly, with the focus of cooperation in the tourism industry, took place in Bodrum on June 5, 2014. The President of Turkmenistan and the heads of state of the founding nations were attending.

Nursultan Nazarbayev, the president of Kazakhstan, brought together the fifth assembly, which had the theme of media and communication cooperation, on September 11, 2005, in Astana. The sixth assembly meeting, which was hosted by the president of Kyrgyzstan Sooronbay Jeenbekov, took place in Cholpanata on September 3, 2018, with the focus being on youth and national sports.

On October 15, 2019, the 7th assembly meeting was conducted in Baku with the focus being on assisting small and medium-sized businesses. The assembly was particularly significant because Uzbekistan joined the Turkic Council as a full member on the same day as the 10th anniversary of the Nakhchivan Agreement.

The Summits process included 10 Assembly meetings between the heads of state of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Presidents of Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkey, and Turkmenistan. After being a topic of discussion and aim to seize for years, the Assembly’s permanent secretariat was established on October 3, 2009, simultaneously with the Nakhchivan Agreement, and its name was changed to the Turkic Council. Istanbul serves as the institutional center of the Turkic Council, Kazakhstan serves as its intellectual hub, and Baku serves as the location of the Parliamentary Assembly TURKPA's headquarters. Additionally, as of date TURKSOY and TÜRKPA are also affiliated with the Assembly.

As of date, the member states are Turkey, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan. In addition, there are three observer states: Hungary, Turkmenistan, and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.