Turkish States Trade Unions Organization Union Holds First General Assembly in Ankara: Ergün Atalay Elected President

Ankara – The Turkish States Trade Unions Organization Union, which brings together trade union organizations from the member states of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS), held its 1st Ordinary General Assembly on Thursday, May 22, 2025, in Ankara. This significant meeting, for the Union established in 2023, brought together trade union presidents and representatives. The 1st Ordinary General Assembly of the Turkish States Trade Unions Organization Union marks an important step for trade unions in the Turkic world.

New Leadership Appointed for the Union of Turkic States' Trade Unions

At the General Assembly held at the Grand Mercure Ankara Hotel, the Divan (Presiding Committee) consisted of Ergün Atalay, President of the Confederation of Turkish Trade Unions (TÜRK-İŞ); Sahib Mammadov, President of the Azerbaijan Trade Unions Confederation; Satybaldy Davletalin, President of the Federation of Trade Unions of Kazakhstan; Emilbek Alymkulov, President of the Federation of Trade Unions of Kyrgyzstan; and Kudratulla Rafikov, President of the Federation of Trade Unions of Uzbekistan.

Following the elections, TÜRK-İŞ President Ergün Atalay was elected as the President of the Turkish States Trade Unions Organization Union. Emilbek Alymkulov, President of the Federation of Trade Unions of Kyrgyzstan, and Sahib Mammadov, President of the Azerbaijan Trade Unions Confederation, were appointed as Vice Presidents. Satybaldy Davletalin, President of the Federation of Trade Unions of Kazakhstan, assumed the role of General Secretary, while Kudratulla Rafikov, President of the Federation of Trade Unions of Uzbekistan, was elected as a Board Member. Ergün Atalay has become the President of the Turkish States Trade Unions Organization Union.

Additionally, at the General Assembly, our President Uysal Altundağ was elected as an alternate member of the Board of Directors. İrfan Mete, President of the Turkish Mariners' Union, was elected as a full member of the Supervisory Board, and Murat Bakındı, Vice President of the Toleyis Union, was elected as an alternate member of the Supervisory Board.

Messages of Support from Attendees

The General Assembly commenced with speeches from the country representatives on the Divan. Binali Yıldırım, Chairman of the Council of Elders of the Organization of Turkic States, and Ahmet Serdaroğlu, President of the Hür-İş Federation of TRNC, also took the floor to deliver speeches.

The meeting saw extensive participation, including Önder Kahveci, President of Türk Kamu-Sen; Adem Kulu, Secretary General of the Union of Turkish Chambers and Commodity Exchanges; Ramazan Ağar and Nazmi Irgat, Vice Presidents of TÜRK-İŞ; our Vice Presidents Mürsel Öcal and Mesut Erdem; our General Secretary Taliphan Kıymaz; Turkish Metal Union Branch Presidents; and numerous invited guests. The 1st Ordinary General Assembly of the Turkish States Trade Unions Organization Union saw strong attendance.