New flag of Organization of Turkic States adopted

The new flag of the Turkic States Organization (TSO) has been adopted, Azernews reports.

The decision was made at the 11th Summit of the Heads of State of the Turkic States Organization, held in Bishkek.

The decision states:

"Recognizing the common historical and cultural values that unite the Turkic peoples and affirming commitment to strengthening multilateral cooperation, mutual progress, unity, and solidarity, in accordance with the Agreed Protocol of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Cooperation Council of Turkic-Speaking States held in Bishkek on August 22, 2012, the Council of Heads of State has decided:

1. To adopt the flag of the Turkic States Organization and its design, as shown in Appendices 1 and 2.
2. In accordance with Paragraph 1 of the present Decision, to begin the process of aligning the colour schemes of the flags of other Turkic Cooperation Organizations with the flag of the Turkic States Organization and to adopt updated flags for these organizations."

It was noted that the design of the flag of the Turkic States Organization features an octagon, a crescent and a star, and a sun with straight rays in the centre, all depicted on a blue background.

The blue background symbolizes the clear sky, peace, and prosperity. The monochromatic background represents the unity of the Turkic peoples. Historically, the blue colour has been associated with Turkic culture and traditions, further enhancing its cultural significance.

The octagon represents the centuries-old existence of Turkic statehood, the affirmation of the republic (freedom), stability, interconnectedness, and strength derived from the common Turkic cultural heritage. In Turkic and Islamic traditions, the octagon is a symbol of leadership and wisdom, serving as a beacon for the organization’s future path.

The sun with forty evenly distributed rays symbolizes clarity and the life force. The rays represent the common values and shared vision that illuminate the path of the Turkic world, leading it to a brighter and more prosperous future. The crescent and star, widely recognized in the Turkic world, represent Turkic statehood, development, future-oriented aspirations, and progress.

These elements reflect the dynamic and future-oriented spirit of the Turkic States Organization, based on the rich shared history of the Turkic nations. The flag encapsulates the key symbols of Turkic identity, unity, common heritage, and comprehensive cooperation, which form the foundation of the mission of the Turkic States Organization.