CIS Heads of State Council meeting held in Moscow

On October 8, Moscow hosted a pivotal meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), centering on boosting collaboration among member countries while addressing both regional and international matters.

Leaders from Russia, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan gathered for this important session.

In his speech, Russian President Vladimir Putin, acting as the current chair of the CIS, highlighted the encouraging economic trends emerging within the member states. He pointed out that GDP growth is strong across the region, with increasing trade and investment among the countries. The CIS nations are actively engaged in mutually beneficial projects in sectors such as energy, industry, and infrastructure, with an emphasis on import substitution. They are also taking steps to create a financial system that lessens the impact of external influences by prioritizing the use of national currencies. Currently, over 85% of transactions within CIS countries are conducted in local currencies—a figure that is on the rise.

Putin further mentioned that in 2025, the CIS will jointly commemorate the 80th anniversary of victory in the Great Patriotic War. Following Russia’s proposal, the leaders agreed to issue a joint declaration and establish the honorary title “City of Labor Glory” for CIS states.

He underscored the necessity of upholding a fair international order grounded in universally accepted principles of international law, especially in light of today’s intricate global dynamics. The CIS countries are committed to coordinating their positions on essential global and regional issues.

Additionally, Putin noted the remarkable growth momentum of the BRICS nations, which has attracted interest from various countries. He expressed that close collaboration with BRICS could enhance the CIS’s influence in international affairs.

The meeting also focused on strengthening integrated cooperation through the CIS Interparliamentary Assembly and improving security and law enforcement collaboration among member states. The leaders concluded the session by finalizing and signing 14 relevant documents.

As per the resolutions of the meeting, Tajikistan is set to take on the role of chair of the CIS in 2025.