Today, the Turkmen capital hosts meeting of the Council of Heads of Government of the Commonwealth of Independent States.
As an associate member of the CIS, neutral Turkmenistan is committed to an equal and constructive partnership with the Commonwealth countries in bilateral and multilateral formats. This aligns with the country’s foreign policy priorities, initiated by the National Leader of the Turkmen People, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty, Hero-Arkadag, and now successfully implemented under the leadership of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov. Building relations with CIS member states on a solid foundation of friendship, good-neighborliness, and historically established ties, our country takes an active position on issues of diverse cooperation, putting forward specific initiatives to optimally realize its considerable potential.
As part of Turkmenistan’s 2026 Chairmanship of the CIS, meetings of various councils, commissions, and other gatherings and events are being held. Our country takes this important mission very seriously, striving to fully facilitate the successful joint resolution of these tasks. To this end, a corresponding Concept has been developed, covering key vectors of interstate cooperation.
Thus, in the political dimension, emphasis is placed on strengthening regional security and mutual trust, promoting the principles of neutrality, and activating diplomatic mechanisms to enhance the CIS’s role as a platform for peaceful dialogue and mutual understanding. Advocating for the consolidation of efforts to protect international law, our country invites partner states to develop a coordinated diplomatic approach within the UN.
Turkmenistan also aims to promote initiatives to increase cooperation in trade and economic matters. Furthermore, special attention is being paid to innovative collaboration, which today is an integral factor in competitiveness on the global stage.
One of the priorities of Turkmenistan’s CIS Chairmanship is the humanitarian dimension, including education, science, culture, tourism, sports, youth exchanges, and media. Healthcare is also identified as an important area for concerted efforts. As is known, 2026 has been declared as the “Year of Health” in the Commonwealth of Independent States. Turkmenistan is effectively cooperating in this area with its foreign partners, including CIS countries.
At the same time, the Concept addresses strengthening cooperation in such pressing areas as ecology and environmental protection, the introduction of environmentally friendly technologies, and the transition to a green economy. Thus, this document aims to further the progressive development of multi-vector interstate partnerships, giving them new content, taking into account modern realities and prospects.
Representative delegations from CIS member states arrived in Ashgabat to participate in the regular meeting of the Council of Heads of Government of the Commonwealth of Independent States.
The meeting of the CIS Council of Heads of State was held at the Garagum Hotel in Ashgabat, which offers all the necessary facilities for both welcoming foreign guests and organizing major international events. On behalf of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, the delegation from Turkmenistan was led by Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers H.Geldimyradov.
Addressing the participants of the meeting, which began in a restricted format, the head of the Turkmen delegation conveyed greetings and best wishes for success on behalf of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov.
Sincere gratitude was expressed to those gathered for accepting the invitation to visit Ashgabat to discuss priority areas of cooperation within the CIS. Turkmenistan’s commitment to strengthening and expanding interstate partnerships that serve the interests of common well-being was also reaffirmed.
As noted, the Commonwealth of Independent States is a significant regional platform uniting our countries with shared interests in ensuring stable and sustainable economic development and the prosperity of our peoples. In the context of its CIS Chairmanship, Turkmenistan advocates focusing efforts on areas such as transport and transit connectivity, energy and industrial partnerships, digital economic transformation, food sustainability, and the water and environmental agenda.
Then, the floor was given to the Secretary-General of the Commonwealth of Independent States, Sergey Lebedev, who presented the meeting’s agenda and regulations. Following their approval, a lively exchange of views took place on current issues of cooperation within the CIS, in particular, the prospects for mutually beneficial trade and economic partnership.
In this context, the presence of significant potential and opportunities for expanding productive ties in various economic sectors, increasing mutual trade volumes, and diversifying it was noted. The CIS Economic Council plays a significant role in this regard, serving as the primary executive body coordinating cooperation in this area and ensuring the implementation of agreements and treaties reached within the Commonwealth, as well as relevant decisions of the CIS Council of Heads of State and the Council of Heads of Government.
For its part, Turkmenistan places great emphasis on intensifying effective cooperation in this area with a view to the future. This is confirmed by the Declaration on Strategic Economic Cooperation of the Commonwealth Member States, initiated by Hero-Arkadag and adopted following the CIS Summit held in Ashgabat in October 2019. This conceptual document formed the basis for the CIS Economic Development Strategy to 2030, the adoption of which provided a new substantive agenda for the entire interstate partnership.
Turkmenistan also attaches great importance to maximizing the transport, communications, logistics, and infrastructure potential of the CIS countries, initiating systematic steps in this direction. Our country consistently advocates for the development of sustainable Eurasian transport and logistics corridors. In this regard, the integration of the Turkmenbashi International Seaport, railway routes in Central Asia and the Caspian region, and the further development of multimodal transportation between CIS countries are essential. Connecting the Commonwealth’s transport arteries with international corridors in the North-South and East-West directions, as well as improving the quality and accessibility of transport services, are particularly important.
With its impressive energy potential and advocating for stronger cooperation in this area, including energy supplies, Turkmenistan also emphasizes the development of electric power infrastructure, energy-efficient technologies, and joint renewable energy projects. Regarding the economic component of cooperation, our country, as part of its CIS Chairmanship, prioritizes stimulating and expanding mutual trade, investment, and business activity.
Turkmenistan also takes a serious and responsible approach to addressing environmental and climate issues, as well as food security, advocating for expanded cooperation in water-saving technologies, sustainable nature management, agro-industrial cooperation, and environmentally oriented projects.
Then, the meeting continued in an expanded format. It was preceded by a joint photo session of the heads of delegations against the backdrop of the official banner of the CIS Council of Heads of State, the national flags of the Commonwealth member states, and the CIS Flag.
During the meeting, a constructive exchange of views took place on priority issues of interstate partnership. The Turkmen side placed particular emphasis on strengthening mutually beneficial economic cooperation, expanding transport connectivity, developing digital technologies, and establishing modern mechanisms for industrial cooperation.
It was stated that, in today’s environment, coordinated approaches to developing sustainable partnership mechanisms based on pragmatism, mutual benefit, respect for each other’s interests, and a long-term strategic vision are particularly in demand.
In this regard, it was noted that Turkmenistan identifies transport and logistics, as well as the development of digital solutions in these areas moreover, in trade, as among the most important and promising areas of cooperation.
Prospects for partnership in congress and exhibition activities and the digital transformation of industrial sectors were also discussed. An exchange of views took place on cooperation in a number of other areas.
Having embarked on a path of innovative development, Turkmenistan is taking consistent steps toward the digital transformation of the economy, including the industrial and transport sectors. In today’s reality, the introduction of digital and intelligent technologies is a key factor in industrial growth, industry modernization, increased efficiency, quality, and flexibility of production, and, consequently, the competitiveness of products. The use of digital solutions and platforms in trade, transport, and logistics optimizes supply chains, significantly simplifying export-import operations and overall trade procedures. A new stage in the digitalization process in our country was marked by the adoption of the Concept for the Development of the Digital Economy in Turkmenistan for 2026–2028 and the corresponding State Program, both of which were approved by decrees of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov.
Demonstrating a proactive approach to enhancing interstate cooperation in this area, including through the training of highly qualified specialists, Turkmenistan also notes the potential for expanding industrial cooperation, including projects in energy, chemical and textile industries, mining and metallurgy, construction materials production, and a number of other sectors.
Furthermore, Turkmenistan expressed support for the decision to declare Minsk, Republic of Belarus, as the CIS Youth Capital in 2027 and Karaganda, Republic of Kazakhstan, the CIS Youth Capital in 2028. It was also noted that our country views humanitarian and youth cooperation as an important factor in strengthening friendship, mutual understanding, and long-term ties between the states and peoples of the Commonwealth.
The meeting’s agenda also addressed relevant organizational matters.
Following the meeting, a signing ceremony for the final documents took place, including the Decision to declare Minsk (Republic of Belarus) as the CIS Youth Capital in 2027 and Karaganda (Republic of Kazakhstan) as the CIS Youth Capital in 2028.
The results of the meeting of the Council of Heads of Government of the Commonwealth of Independent States were announced at a press conference. As reported, a broad range of cooperation issues within the CIS format was discussed. The high organizational level and effectiveness of the meeting were emphasized. Relevant decisions were made on all issues on the agenda, and a number of documents were signed. Confidence was expressed that the meeting’s results will contribute to the further development of a diverse, mutually beneficial partnership and integration processes within the Commonwealth.
Profound gratitude was expressed to President Serdar Berdimuhamedov and the National Leader of the Turkmen People, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan, Hero-Arkadag for their attention and assistance in organizing the current meeting, which was held at a high level, in a businesslike atmosphere, in an atmosphere of open, constructive dialogue, and for creating the necessary conditions for successful collaboration.
Thus, the meeting of the Council of Heads of Government of the Commonwealth of Independent States, held in Ashgabat in the year “Independent Neutral Turkmenistan – Homeland of Purposeful Winged Steeds’, once again clearly demonstrated the country’s commitment to bilateral and multilateral cooperation within the CIS format, and to constructive international interaction in general, and also confirmed the participating countries’ focus on further intensifying a fruitful partnership that meets the interests of common well-being and sustainable development.
