MINSK, 5 September (BelTA) – The 107th session of the Economic Council of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) took place in the city of Dushanbe, Tajikistan on 5 September, the press service of the CIS Executive Committee told BelTA.
A broad range of matters concerning economic cooperation of the CIS member states was discussed. The session was opened and chaired by Chairman of the CIS Economic Council, First Deputy Prime Minister of Tajikistan Hokim Kholiqzoda. There were 27 items on the agenda. Later on 17 documents will be presented for consideration of the CIS Heads of Government Council at a session in Minsk on 29 September.
Members of the CIS Economic Council looked into information about hindrances standing in the way of mutual trade of the CIS member states and information about recommendations on removing the hindrances. The recommendations had been worked out on the basis of the information shared by the CIS states about the special protective, antidumping, and compensating measures, about temporary prohibitions, licensed and quota products, about the application by other parties of he restrictions that violate or slow down the development of mutual trade. Results of sessions of the high-level working group on analyzing incoming complaints about hindrances in mutual trade of the CIS member states were reviewed.
The high-level working group was established in accordance with the decision of the CIS Economic Council on 2 December 2022. Its main objective is to ensure the functioning of the Commonwealth’s internal market without barriers and with a minimum number of restrictions and exemptions. The working group has already held ten sessions, during which 42 complaints were considered, 37 of which resulted in decisions and further actions. Some matters were discussed at the CIS Economic Council session.
During the session First Deputy Minister of Transport of Tajikistan Farruh Nematzoda presented a draft strategy for the digitization of the main multimodal transport corridors of the CIS member states. The draft had been prepared as part of the efforts to implement goals outlined in the CIS Chairmanship Concept. The document is aimed at improving logistics efficiency, reducing costs, and promoting trade and economic ties between the Commonwealth states.
Members of the CIS Economic Council approved a draft strategy on cooperation among CIS member states in developing the information society and the digital economy for the period up to 2035 as well as an action plan for implementing it. The strategy was presented by Alexey Borodin, Director General of the Executive Committee of the Regional Commonwealth in the Field of Communications. The document represents a combination of coordinated approaches by the CIS member states to forming the information society and the digital economy and defines the goals, objectives, and the main directions of cooperation between the states in this area.
The session also approved a draft action plan on implementing the second stage (2026-2030) of the Economic Development Strategy of the Commonwealth of Independent States for the period up to 2030, which is the basic document in the field of economic cooperation among CIS countries. It maintains continuity with the action plan on implementing the first stage (2021-2025) of the strategy and is aimed at developing the economy and promoting interstate trade and economic cooperation, working out new manufacturing cooperation projects and infrastructure projects, promoting the digitization of the economy, realizing scientific and technical potential, at the development of the energy industry, including nuclear energy, as well as the creation of high-tech transport systems, the promotion of cooperation in the agribusiness sector, in the monetary and financial sphere, in the social and economic sphere, in the field of education, and other areas.
The CIS Economic Council approved a draft strategy on scientific and technological development of the Commonwealth of Independent States for 2026-2035. The strategy defines the goals, main objectives, principles, and priorities of cooperation between the CIS member states in the field of scientific and technological development, and establishes the forms, mechanisms, and expected results of its implementation in order to strengthen scientific and technological sovereignty.
In addition, members of the CIS Economic Council approved a draft action plan for preparing and implementing the Year of Healthcare in the Commonwealth of Independent States in 2026, the main objectives of which are joint measures aimed at preserving the health of citizens, sharing best practices and scientific developments, and promoting international cooperation both between CIS countries and with the World Health Organization.
Much attention was paid to matters related to the implementation of the Interstate Program of Innovative Cooperation of the CIS Member States for the period up to 2030 and the comprehensive action plan on implementing it in 2021-2025. It was noted that work continues in the program’s participating states to form an innovation infrastructure and new elements of it are emerging. Thus, the network of innovation commercialization centers is expanding. Knowledge transfer centers in the field of software development and technology and innovation support centers are being created. Technological platforms are developing in addition to a chain of business incubators aimed at supporting innovative entrepreneurship and the creation of startups.
In particular, the session reviewed draft regulations on competence centers within the framework of the program, which provides for support for exploratory research through special grant programs, consulting support, the organization of technological and financial and economic expert evaluation, and the inventory of completed research and development work in priority areas of scientific, technical, technological, and innovative cooperation, and other areas. Participants of the session discussed a draft regulation on subcontracting centers within the framework of the program. The adoption of the regulation will create conditions within the CIS for the integration of small and medium-sized industrial enterprises of the program’s participating states into the global economic system. It will promote the implementation of joint promising innovative projects and will develop the outsourcing of services for manufactured industrial products. Participants of the session discussed a draft regulations on centers of excellence (superiority) within the framework of the program aimed at promoting interstate innovation cooperation, including through the use of results of scientific research and development in breakthrough areas of knowledge, the creation and marketing of globally superior products and technologies, and the application of best practices in a particular field.
The session reviewed a report on the operation of the Interstate Council for Legal Protection and Defense of Intellectual Property in 2021-2024. The analysis shows that the tasks set before the council are being successfully fulfilled and the council makes a significant contribution to strengthening interaction between the CIS member states in the field of intellectual property.
The CIS Economic Council approved the operation of the Intergovernmental Council on Exploration, Use, and Protection of Subsoil Resources in 2021-2024. The council was instructed to focus its efforts on implementing the measures of the long-term plan for joint work on the exploration, use, and protection of subsoil resources of the CIS member states for 2023-2030, to continue interaction regarding the development of new areas related to the digitization of the geological industry, the study, use, protection, and monitoring of subterranean waters, cooperation between the CIS member states in the creation of geoparks, and matters of staffing for the geological industry of the CIS member states.
By decision of the CIS Economic Council, the following organizations have been granted the status of base organizations of the CIS member states: in the field of adult traumatology and orthopedics - the federal state budgetary institution N.N. Priorov National Medical Research Center for Traumatology and Orthopedics of the Russian Federation Healthcare Ministry (Moscow); in the field of pediatric traumatology and orthopedics - the federal state budgetary institution G.I. Turner National Medical Research Center for Pediatric Traumatology and Orthopedics of the Russian Federation Healthcare Ministry (St. Petersburg).
In addition, the session considered a significant number of financial matters, including a draft unified budget for CIS bodies for 2026, matters related to improving the quality of life of war veterans, who participated in local conflicts, and their families in the CIS member states, as well as a report on the operation of the advisory council for the support and development of small businesses in 2018-2024, and other matters.
The next session of the CIS Economic Council is scheduled to take place in Moscow on 5 December 2025.
Follow us on:
