WASHINGTON — On May 26, 2024, leaders of the East Turkistan Government in Exile (ETGE) and representatives of 23 East Turkistan/Uyghur organizations across the global diaspora successfully convened the inaugural online meeting of the East Turkistan Independence Cooperation Forum.

This inaugural online meeting began with the commemoration of the 510th anniversary of the Yarkent Khanate (1514-1705), established in May 1514. As one of the longest-standing independent states in East Turkistan’s rich history of statehood, this commemoration underscores our nation’s dedication to our sovereign heritage and the resilience of our people.

At this historic meeting, we reached a unified vision centered on the restoration of East Turkistan’s independence and sovereignty:

1. The name of our cooperation forum will be the East Turkistan Independence Cooperation Forum.
2. All participants are committed to the common and fundamental goal of restoring national independence, affirming that the name of our homeland is East Turkistan, and that the national identity of our people, including Uyghurs, Kazakhs, Kyrgyz, Uzbeks, Tatars, and other ethnic groups (excluding colonial invaders), is East Turkistani. This reaffirmation of our collective national identity evokes back the declarations of national independence of the Republic of East Turkistan, established by our ancestors on November 12, 1933, and November 12, 1944.
3. The territory of East Turkistan covers 1,828,418 square kilometers, with a native population of approximately 40-45 million, excluding the population of the invading Chinese colonists. The so-called People’s Republic of China invaded East Turkistan on October 12, 1949, and overthrew the independent East Turkistan Republic on December 22, 1949. Since then, East Turkistan has been under occupation, deprived of its sovereignty.
4. All organizations participating in the East Turkistan Independence Cooperation Forum emphasized that the restoration of national independence and sovereignty of East Turkistan is the paramount goal of our struggle. It is the only way to guarantee the human rights, freedom, existence, and dignity of the East Turkistani people. 
5. To promote East Turkistan’s struggle for national independence, we pledge to hold regular meetings to foster our cooperation and jointly address and resolve important issues.
6. We committed to organizing joint demonstrations and other activities on significant anniversaries. This includes co-organizing the upcoming protests and subsequent events to commemorate the July 5, 2009, Urumqi massacre, as well as other global protests.
7. The leaders of the East Turkistan Government in Exile and the leaders of pro-independence East Turkistan/Uyghur organizations will further discuss the future development of the East Turkistan Independence Cooperation Forum during the commemoration of the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the East Turkistan Government in Exile. A joint declaration will be issued, affirming our common stance and principles of cooperation.
8. All participants agree that discussions, collaborations, and actions within the Forum will be conducted in a spirit of mutual respect and inclusiveness. Decisions will be made democratically, ensuring transparency and accountability.

Finally, we invite all East Turkistan/Uyghur organizations to join the East Turkistan Independence Cooperation Forum so that we can work together to obtain our shared principal and objective, our grand quest to restore the national independence of East Turkistan. Together, we can better fulfill our collective duty to restore the national independence of East Turkistan.

Signed by:

• East Turkistan Government in Exile
• East Turkistan Parliament in Exile
• Alberta Uyghur Cultural Society (Canada)
• Center for East Turkistan National Interest (Canada)
• France Uyghur Association (France)
• Dutch Live Uyghur Organization (Netherlands)
• Dutch Uyghur Union (Netherlands)
• East Turkistan Australian Association (Australia)
• East Turkistan Cultural Centre (Canada)
• East Turkistan Federation of Canada (Canada)
• East Turkistan Foundation (Netherlands)
• East Turkistan Independence and Brotherhood Society (Turkey)
• East Turkistan National Fund (USA)
• East Turkistan National Movement (USA)
• East Turkistan People’s Association (Japan)
• East Turkistan Welfare Society (USA)
• East Turkistan Youth Congress (USA)
• German East Turkistan Youth Association (Germany)
• New Generation for Free East Turkistan (USA)
• Swedish Uyghur Committee (Sweden)
• Support Uyghurs (Netherlands)
• Uyghur Cultural Union (Netherlands)
• Uyghur Information Center (Norway)
• Uyghuristan Liberation Organization (Germany)
• Uyghur Revival Association (Netherlands)