On  21 October 2025, H.E. Ambassador Kubanychbek Omuraliev, Secretary General of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS), met with Ambassador Michael B. Christides, High Representative for Black Sea States & Mediterranean of the OCEAN Alliance Conservation Member (OACM) and former Secretary General of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC).

The meeting, initiated upon the proposal of the OCEAN Alliance, focused on exploring cooperation between the OTS and OACM in the field of environmental protection and sustainable development.

Ambassador Christides informed the Secretary General about the activities of the OCEAN Alliance, particularly its global “White Flag” initiative, which recognizes and certifies deep-sea basins, beaches, and lakes that meet international standards of cleanliness and environmental safety. He expressed the OACM’s interest in extending this initiative to the Member States of the Organization of Turkic States through cooperation with the OTS.

Secretary General Omuraliev welcomed the proposal and underlined the OTS’s commitment to environmental sustainability, noting that such initiatives contribute to the Organization’s broader goals of promoting regional cooperation, ecological awareness, and sustainable blue economy practices among its Member and Observer States.

Both sides agreed to continue consultations on potential joint activities aimed at promoting environmental stewardship across the Turkic region.