Statement by President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov at the Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Commonwealth of Independent States

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Distinguished Heads of Delegation!
Mr. Secretary-General!

The meeting of the CIS Council of Heads of State is the key event of the year in the Commonwealth’s work. Today, we will take stock of some of what has been accomplished and outline tasks and priorities for the period ahead.

I must say that Turkmenistan has approached its work as Chair of the Commonwealth of Independent States with a full sense of responsibility. We have sought to ensure the timely holding of all events envisaged by the Charter, as well as other meetings within the context of our ongoing joint work.

Meetings of the CIS Council of Heads of Government, the Council of Foreign Ministers, the Economic Council and a number of sectoral bodies have been held. The Commission on Economic Issues has met regularly. It should be noted that all meetings were substantive and productive and took place in a constructive working atmosphere.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all delegations for their participation and readiness to cooperate, which have enabled us to achieve positive results. I also thank the Secretary-General of the Commonwealth of Independent States, Sergey Nikolayevich Lebedev, for his substantial contribution to the effective coordination of the Commonwealth’s bodies.

Distinguished Heads of State!

I can assure you that, as CIS Chair this year, Turkmenistan will continue to work responsibly with its partners to fulfil all agreed plans and tasks, and will do everything in its power to maintain the necessary momentum and effectiveness of our joint activities.

Distinguished Colleagues!

A distinctive feature of this meeting is that it takes place at a significant moment: the thirty-fifth anniversary of the establishment of the Commonwealth of Independent States.

This is an important and, I would say, landmark anniversary. Today, as we review some of the stages of our journey, I believe we can confidently state that the Commonwealth of Independent States has travelled this path with dignity. Despite objective difficulties, we have managed to preserve the foundations of cooperation and ensure that it remains equal, respectful and mutually beneficial.

Trade and economic ties are developing steadily. In particular, recent years have seen encouraging growth in our aggregate trade.

The substantive agenda of political and diplomatic engagement is expanding. The CIS format has established itself as a convenient and acceptable platform for diplomatic consultations on pressing international issues.

Our humanitarian ties are rich and diverse. They encompass culture, science, education, sport, tourism and a number of other important areas.

Interparliamentary cooperation has intensified considerably. Turkmenistan gives this area due attention and has initiated a number of significant parliamentary events and forums held with the active participation of delegations from the Commonwealth countries. I would like to express my particular appreciation for this.

On the subject of parliamentary affairs, I would like to take this opportunity once again to congratulate the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin, on the recent successful conduct of elections to the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation. I am confident that, with the State Duma’s new membership, the fruitful, constructive and respectful dialogue between the legislators of Turkmenistan and Russia will continue, ensuring continuity in the constructive traditions of cooperation and mutual understanding that have been established.

Distinguished Participants, I also consider it important during this Summit, as is customary among close friends and partners, to inform you of a recent significant event in the life of Turkmenistan: the meeting of its highest representative body, the Halk Maslahaty.

A number of major decisions were adopted at that meeting, including:

– the National Strategy for the Industrial Development of Turkmenistan for 2030–2045;

– the State Programme on State Youth Policy in Turkmenistan for the period up to 2031;

– the National Concept “International Law and the Neutrality of Turkmenistan”;

– the Law “On State Protection of Akhal-Teke Horses in Turkmenistan”.

I am convinced that the outcomes of the Halk Maslahaty meeting will provide a foundation for the development of Turkmenistan’s international activities, including within the Commonwealth of Independent States, and create new opportunities and scope for joint work.

Distinguished Participants!

We pay particular attention to transport and to creating the conditions needed to fully realize the logistical and infrastructural potential of the Commonwealth States.

In this connection, I would draw your attention to Turkmenistan’s initiative to declare 2029 the “Year of CIS Transport Connectivity”. We believe this provides a sound basis for active, purposeful and systematic joint work.

Turkmenistan also believes that CIS countries should play an active role in strengthening international partnerships in sustainable transport. Of particular importance in this context is the United Nations Decade of Sustainable Transport for 2026–2035, initiated by Turkmenistan and proclaimed by the relevant resolution adopted by the United Nations General Assembly at its eightieth session.

In this connection, we count on the active participation of the Commonwealth States in implementing the Decade’s goals and objectives. We are ready to hold the relevant consultations and develop joint approaches and practical proposals for implementing the Decade, both within the CIS and in the United Nations.

We have a sound legal basis for this in the resolution “Cooperation between the United Nations and the Commonwealth of Independent States”, adopted by the General Assembly on 26 August 2025.

Overall, Turkmenistan intends to help consolidate the efforts of CIS countries to develop international cooperation in establishing transport and transit corridors, enhancing their resilience and ensuring access for all countries, including the landlocked CIS States.

Turkmenistan’s work in this area draws substantially on the outcomes of the Third United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries, held in Turkmenbashi in August 2025, and the Awaza Political Declaration adopted at that Conference and unanimously endorsed by a United Nations General Assembly resolution.

The Caspian region is a vital link in transport connectivity. Clearly, the eastern and western Caspian North-South transport corridors are of critical importance, particularly against the backdrop of well-known developments in countries and regions neighbouring the CIS.

The role of industrial and technological ties and the establishment of production chains in our countries is objectively growing. In this context, the meeting of the CIS Council of Heads of Government held in Ashgabat in May this year set sound and realistic priorities.

We are firmly committed to continuing broad humanitarian cooperation.

As a priority on the international agenda, we propose joining efforts to defend international law and the United Nations Charter. Today, this is acquiring truly momentous significance.

As you know, on 24 July this year, at Turkmenistan’s initiative, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 2028 the Year of International Law. This unanimously reaffirmed the role of recognized legal norms in maintaining peace and security, strengthening international cooperation and developing friendly relations among States. I express my appreciation to the CIS countries that supported the draft resolution and made an important contribution to its adoption.

In putting forward this initiative, Turkmenistan was guided by a firm political and moral conviction that the legal foundations of international relations and the United Nations Charter must remain inviolable as the foundation of the global security architecture.

Distinguished Heads of State!

In concluding my statement, I would like once again to express my appreciation for the support given to Turkmenistan’s Chairmanship of the Commonwealth of Independent States in 2026.

Our country will continue working to strengthen friendly and good-neighbourly ties within the CIS and to support the implementation of all our joint plans and projects.

I would like to take this opportunity to convey my sincere wishes for peace and well-being to the peoples of the Commonwealth States.

(Awaza National Tourist Zone, 9 October 2026)

Source: TDH