CIS leaders gather in Moscow to deepen trade, transport, and cultural ties

On December 12, the Council of Heads of Government of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) convened for its latest meeting in Moscow. The event saw the participation of Prime Minister of Uzbekistan Abdulla Aripov, as well as other key leaders and representatives from CIS member states, according to a report from the government portal.

Participants in the meeting included Prime Minister of Azerbaijan Ali Asadov, Prime Minister of Belarus Roman Golovchenko, Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Oljas Bektenov, Chairman of the Government of the Russian Federation Mikhail Mishustin, Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan Akylbek Japarov, Prime Minister of Tajikistan Kokhir Rasulzoda, Deputy Prime Minister of Armenia Mher Grigoryan, Permanent Representative of Turkmenistan to CIS structures Nazarguli Shakuliyev, and CIS Secretary General Sergey Lebedev.

During the meeting, Prime Minister of Uzbekistan Abdulla Aripov emphasized the importance of further liberalizing trade relations and deepening cooperation within the CIS. He highlighted that President Shavkat Mirziyoyev prioritizes these objectives as part of Uzbekistan’s broader economic strategy. Aripov proposed intensified efforts to ensure the effective functioning of the free trade zone within the Commonwealth, stressing the removal of tariff and non-tariff barriers on specific raw materials and food products.

“It was noted that it is important to give new impetus to the development of international transport routes and to strengthen joint work on the consistent implementation of the ‘North-South’ and ‘East-West’ transport and logistics projects,” the report stated.

The meeting also provided a platform to acknowledge and appreciate the successful implementation of the CIS Cultural Capital of Samarkand and Youth Capital of Tashkent initiatives for 2024. The participants expressed gratitude for the close support and active involvement of member states in these cultural programs.

In addition, the attendees engaged in an in-depth exchange of views on advancing cooperation in trade, economic, investment, cultural, humanitarian, and educational spheres. They also discussed plans for the upcoming commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the Victory over fascism, which will be celebrated next year.

The gathering concluded with the adoption of 18 significant documents, which included:

•  A memorandum of cooperation on the digitalization of the transport sector.
•  A plan of priority actions in humanitarian cooperation for 2025-2026.
•  A program for the development of cooperation in the fields of study, use, protection, and monitoring of groundwater up to 2030, along with a plan for its implementation.
•  A resolution on the organization’s unified budget and financial plan for 2025.

As part of their visit to Russia, the heads of government of the CIS countries toured the newly reconstructed campus of the Bauman Moscow State Technical University. They were introduced to the university’s latest developments and technological advancements, which further underscored the importance of fostering innovation and educational cooperation within the CIS framework.