D-8 NGO Partnership Dialogue on Sustainable Urban Development
Within the Framework of the Thirteenth Session of the World Urban Forum
“Strengthening NGO Partnerships For Sustainable and Inclusive Urban Development across D-8 Countries”
Forum of Young NGO Leaders of The OTC
Distinguished Chair, Esteemed Delegates, and Honourable Participants,
We gather here today with the shared objective of constructing more liveable, resilient, and sustainable cities and ecosystems. On behalf of the World Assembly of Turkic Youth and the Environment and Energy Commission—comprising 80 NGOs across 35 countries—it is a distinct privilege to extend my highest regards to you all.
I have structured my speech around the core thematic pillars outlined in the Ecology and Environment Commission Report, formulated in September 2025 by Turkic youth representing 35 nations.
The Aral Sea basin represents the most catastrophic environmental disaster witnessed in the Eurasian geography. This crisis has escalated to a magnitude that can no longer be resolved through the efforts of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan alone. To this end, we would like to bring urge the international community’s attention to establish an institutional coordination council under the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) to facilitate regional sustainability.
Moreover, air and water pollution emanating from industrial facilities has escalated into a major public health concern in our fast growing metropolitans, including Istanbul, Baku, Almaty, and Tashkent. Enhancing the quality of life in these urban centers is no longer a luxury but an absolute necessity; it requires the establishment of independent regional commissions tasked with regular monitoring of environmental compliance, backed by effective enforcement mechanisms.
Esteemed Delegates,
Coupled with the global climate crisis, famine and desertification are growing across our regions. To combat this challenge, we advocate enhancing the efficiency of the Drought Prevention Institute under the OTS and propose establishing collaborative environmental data-sharing networks.
Additionally, former nuclear testing sites in regions such as Semey, Kazakhstan, as well as industrial wastecontinue to pose sustained risks to public health. Rehabilitating and clearing these zones from those threats in conformity with international standards necessitates formation of joint global scientific councils.
Esteemed Delegates,
Energy transition and security constitute vital elements for the future of this geography. Our current reliance on fossil fuels stands in direct contradiction to sustainable development policies. /
Conversely, the region is endowed with immense renewable energy potential. To secure our energy independence and ensure security of supply, we propose:
- establishment of a regional energy fund designed to provide financing and low-interest credits for renewable energy investments;
- formulation of a balanced energy mix wherein nuclear energy and clean energy operations are advanced concurrently, aligned with regional capacities;
- to definea concrete, joint stockpile and logistics strategy for critical and strategic minerals, aimed at strengthening supply chains and mitigating supply-demand risks.
Throughout these processes, we propose to transfer best practices and institutional knowledge—leveraging the agricultural sustainability achieved by Kazakhstan and the ambitious target of Kyrgyzstan to transition fully to organic agriculture by 2028—to other nations in the region under the umbrella of “agricultural cooperation.”
In Conclusion,
Environmental, energy, and urban development policies are not merely instruments for economic expansion; they are the fundamental guarantees of public health, food security, and the quality of life for generations to come. Rather than relying on post-crisis management once problems occur, we must pivot toward proactive policies that anticipate and prevent environmental risks.
To ensure that future generations internalize this vision, we aim to integrate environmental awareness, recycling, and zero-waste initiatives into standardized educational curricula beginning from early childhood education.
We remain resolutely committed to aligning the rich potential of our geography with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Every investment channeled into eco-friendly technologies, energy efficiency, and regional solidarity will serve as a safeguard not only for our region but for the future of our world.
Tomorrow is our national day, and Atatürk gifted this day to the youth of the world.
Therefore, I would like to end my speech with Atatürk’s words: Peace at home, peace in the world.
Thank you for your attention and participation.
Ersin Güzel
Chairperson of the WTYU Foundation (World Turkish Youth Union)
#DTGB
#МОТМ
#ЭпирПулнӑПурПулатпӑр!
#Vardık,Varız,VarOlacağız!
#WUF13
