The Global Tourism Forum, which took place on October 20–21, 2025, in Brussels, stood out as a landmark gathering for international leaders, ministers, business innovators, and policymakers aiming to shape the evolving future of the tourism industry. This prestigious event was held at the Royal Museum of Fine Arts of Belgium in Brussels. The forum was expertly organized by Bulut Bağcı, the President of the World Tourism Forum Institute.

The Global Tourism Forum commenced with a traditional ribbon-cutting ceremony led by distinguished guests, including Shaikha Nasser Al Nowais (Secretary-General Elect of UN Tourism), Apostolos Tzitzikostas (European Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism), Didier Mazenga Mukanzu (Minister of Tourism of the Democratic Republic of Congo), Dr. Mohamed Waheed Hassan (Special Envoy of the Maldives), Kubanychbek Omuraliev (Secretary General of the Organization of Turkic States), and Umid Shadiev (Chairman of the Uzbekistan Tourism Committee).

The Secretary General of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS), His Excellency Ambassador Kubanychbek Omuraliev, delivered an opening speech at the Global Tourism Forum, which was held under the theme “Redefining Tourism in a Changing World” on October 20, 2025, in Brussels, Belgium.

In his address, Ambassador Omuraliev emphasized the strategic importance of tourism as a driver of sustainable growth, cultural diplomacy, and regional connectivity. He noted that the Turkic States collectively welcomed nearly 100 million international visitors in 2024.

The Global Tourism Forum 2025, which brought together leading figures from the tourism industry, international experts, and business representatives from more than 50 countries, served as one of the most significant international platforms for dialogue on the future of sustainable tourism.

During the award ceremony, His Excellency Ambassador Kubanychbek Omuraliev, Secretary General of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS), received an award from the Global Tourism Forum Administration in recognition of his valuable contributions to the Forum and his dedicated efforts in promoting tourism across the Turkic world.

During his interview with Derya Soysal, he stated that the Turkic world comprises more than 175 million people. He noted in his interview that the Great Silk Road is now beginning from villages and extending to cities. He also highlighted that the Turkic world and all its member states have achieved significant economic growth. During the Forum, there were cultural stands, including a Kazakh yurt, as well as Azerbaijani and Uzbek displays. This demonstrated the vast potential of the Turkic States.

Finally, during the award ceremony, an award was presented to Ambassador Omuraliev in acknowledgment of his leadership in strengthening cooperation among OTS Member States in the field of tourism and for advancing the Organization’s initiatives aimed at enhancing the regional and international visibility of Turkic destinations.

In his remarks, Secretary General Omuraliev expressed his gratitude to the Global Tourism Forum Administration for the recognition and reiterated the OTS’s commitment to fostering sustainable tourism, cultural exchange, and closer collaboration among the Turkic countries and beyond.

external source OTS Secretary General presented with an Award by the Global Tourism Forum