Turkmenistan Assumes CIS Chairmanship, Outlines 2026 Priorities at Moscow Meeting

Moscow, The Gulf Observer: The Moscow Office of the Executive Committee of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) on January 22, 2026 hosted the first event held under Turkmenistan’s chairmanship of the Commonwealth — a meeting of the Commission on Economic Affairs under the CIS Economic Council.

Addressing the meeting, Turkmenistan’s Plenipotentiary Representative, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Turkmenistan to the Russian Federation and Chairman of the Commission on Economic Affairs, E. Aydogdyev, said Turkmenistan has assumed the chairmanship with a strong sense of responsibility, fully aware of the scale and significance of the tasks facing the CIS.

He outlined the key priorities of the Concept for Turkmenistan’s Presidency of the CIS in 2026, stressing that in the political sphere, Turkmenistan’s efforts will focus on strengthening regional security and trust, promoting the principles of neutrality, and intensifying diplomatic engagement to enhance the CIS’s role as a platform for peaceful dialogue and mutual understanding.

Aydogdyev noted that Turkmenistan intends to use its chairmanship to advance initiatives aimed at deepening economic, transport and energy cooperation among member states, guided by the CIS Economic Development Strategy up to 2030.

He highlighted the importance of developing the CIS’s logistics potential as a strategic link between Eurasia, the Caspian region, Central Asia and the Middle East. In this context, Turkmenistan plans to propose declaring 2027 as the “Year of CIS Transport Connectivity.”

The humanitarian dimension will also be a central pillar of Turkmenistan’s chairmanship. Cooperation in education, science, culture, tourism and media, he said, will contribute to strengthening mutual understanding and preserving the shared spiritual and cultural heritage of the peoples of the Commonwealth.

Aydogdyev further stressed that Turkmenistan will continue to prioritise environmental protection and sustainable development, with particular emphasis on renewable energy cooperation and the conservation of the Caspian region’s biodiversity. As part of these efforts, Turkmenistan plans to convene the Second Caspian Environmental Forum in 2026.

Concluding his remarks, Aydogdyev expressed confidence that Turkmenistan’s chairmanship will significantly strengthen the CIS’s position as a platform for equal cooperation and mutual trust, expand economic and transport ties among member states, and promote coordinated approaches to addressing the key challenges of the 21st century.

Participants in the meeting warmly congratulated Turkmenistan on the start of its CIS chairmanship, expressed their full support, and wished success in the implementation of its priorities and initiatives.