President Mirziyoyev Attends CIS Heads of State Summit
Tashkent, The Gulf Observer: President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan participated in the regular meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) held on October 8. The summit, chaired by Russian President Vladimir Putin, included leaders from various CIS member states, such as Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev, Belarus’s President Alexander Lukashenko, Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Kyrgyzstan’s President Sadyr Zhaparov, Tajikistan’s President Emomali Rahmon, Turkmenistan’s President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. The meeting was also attended by CIS Secretary General Sergey Lebedev.
During the summit, the leaders exchanged views on the current state and prospects for the development of multifaceted relations among CIS countries, focusing on practical interaction within the organization. President Mirziyoyev commended the effectiveness of Russia’s chairmanship, highlighting advancements in multilateral cooperation across various sectors, particularly regarding security and sustainable development.
Emphasizing the necessity of systemic interaction among special services and relevant agencies, President Mirziyoyev called for enhanced collaboration to combat modern challenges and ensure cybersecurity. He underscored the importance of joint economic cooperation, noting a 16 percent increase in trade turnover between Uzbekistan and CIS countries since the beginning of the year, alongside successful industrial partnerships.
The President proposed organizing a meeting of the CIS Economic Council and the Innovative Development Forum in spring 2025, coinciding with the International Industrial Exhibition “Innoprom” in Tashkent. This aligns with the outcomes of the recent Tashkent Conference of Leading Analytical Centers, stressing the need for long-term partnership priorities, including the development of internet technologies, big data, digital solutions, green energy, nuclear technologies, and responses to climate challenges.
Additionally, President Mirziyoyev suggested regular meetings for experts and analysts from CIS countries, with the next conference dedicated to artificial intelligence development to be held in Samarkand. He also advocated for expanding humanitarian exchanges through the CIS Culture Days and called for the preparation of an annual program of joint events in sectors such as healthcare, education, arts, cinema, tourism, and sports.
The President expressed satisfaction with the implementation of projects aimed at designating Samarkand and Tashkent as the cultural and youth capitals of the Commonwealth. He announced upcoming CIS chess and football cups for youth teams to be held in Uzbekistan.
In conclusion, President Mirziyoyev congratulated Tajikistan’s President Emomali Rahmon on assuming the CIS chairmanship for 2025. The summit concluded with the adoption of several agreements and decisions focusing on priority areas for cooperation within the CIS.