Hungary’s increasingly prominent role within the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) carries significance not only from a diplomatic perspective but also in terms of energy security and climate adaptation. Although Hungary participates as an observer state, it enjoys a high level of recognition within the organization — a fact clearly demonstrated by the Informal OTS Summit hosted in Budapest last May.
Due to the country’s geographical position, Hungary plays an essential role in providing its Turkic partners with an economic, scientific, and diplomatic gateway to the heart of Europe. Beyond mutual goodwill and generally strong bilateral relations, this strategic location helps explain the country’s distinguished role within the organization. The OTS includes Türkiye, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan as full members, while Hungary and Turkmenistan hold observer status. Rooted in interconnectivity and mutual respect, this cooperation creates valuable opportunities amid today’s complex geopolitical, energy security, and climate adaptation challenges — opportunities that seem increasingly important to seize. The recent meeting of OTS energy ministers in Istanbul highlighted once again the importance of diversifying regional energy supplies, demonstrating its strategic priority for both Hungary and Europe. The Turkic region, rich in both renewable and fossil energy resources, has already expressed its readiness to expand energy transport routes toward Europe.
Simultaneously, business and logistical ties between Hungary and the OTS region continue to develop dynamically. This is particularly evident in Hungary’s strategic partnerships with both Türkiye and Uzbekistan, aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation. Yet Hungarian cooperation with the OTS extends well beyond matters of the economy and energy: the country is also taking an increasingly active role in climate-related initiatives, guided by a policy approach that prioritizes practical solutions over ideology. Hungary’s bridging role is evident here as well. In addition to hosting the European office of the OTS, Budapest is home to the Drought Prevention Institute, operating within the institutional framework of the Hungarian Export Promotion Agency and under the broader organizational umbrella of the OTS. The Budapest-based institute focuses on sustainable agriculture, modern water management technologies, as well as scientific-academic collaboration — thereby opening new climate policy horizons for Hungary. The institute is characterized above all by a pragmatic, mutually beneficial approach. Solutions based on the agricultural and climatic features of the Carpathian Basin offer immediately applicable knowledge to experts from the Turkic region, while Central Asian expertise is simultaneously adapted to the Hungarian context, supporting the organization’s broader sustainability efforts.
As Europe is experiencing a worsening drought trend, and with Hungary among the countries most exposed, such cooperation appears increasingly necessary. According to the European Environment Agency, between 1993 and 2023 more than half of Hungary’s territory was affected by drought in eleven separate years. This environmental phenomenon is now considered one of the most significant challenges facing the agricultural sector, with consequences comparable to severe frost damage. Southern and eastern regions of the country are particularly vulnerable, as the growing number of heatwave days alongside increasingly uneven and declining precipitation further aggravates this deteriorating outlook. Undoubtedly, addressing such complex challenges requires a holistic strategy, incorporating scientific excellence as well as an international perspective.
A tangible and robust strategic framework is offered by the document titled “Turkic Green Vision: Unity for a Sustainable Future,” which provides coordinated policy guidance for both member and observer states. Among its priorities are the risks associated with drought and desertification, forest protection and reforestation, improved wastewater management, and more efficient irrigation and drinking water protection solutions. The strategy also emphasizes zero-waste management, sustainable agricultural practices, and environmentally conscious urban planning. Its significance becomes even clearer when considering the true scale of the OTS: together, the countries of the organization span roughly 4.2 million square kilometers and represent a population of approximately 160 million people with a combined GDP of around $1.5 trillion. It is therefore no coincidence that Hungary’s domestic sustainability ambitions and its relations with the Turkic world have entered a mutually reinforcing growth trajectory in recent years. Various diplomatic developments further support this trend, as Hungary is regularly involved in key OTS events — often serving as host and providing an institutional platform for cooperation. Climate adaptation and sustainability are also gaining prominence in bilateral consultations between Hungary and Türkiye, marking a positive shift not only geopolitically and diplomatically but also from an environmental standpoint.
