The 82nd meeting of the Council on Railway Transport of the Member States of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) opened in the capital of Tajikistan, NIAT Khovar reports.
The event, which is attended by heads of railway administrations of the CIS and Baltic countries, as well as representatives of the associate members of the Council, is being held within the framework of Tajikistan's chairmanship of the CIS in 2025. The meeting was opened by Komil Mirzoali, Director General of the State Unitary Enterprise "Tajik Railways". In his speech, he noted the main achievements of the industry over the years of independence and emphasized the contribution of railway transport to the development of the country's economy.
The Chairman of the Council's Directorate for Railway Transport, Viktor Popov, also gave a report, highlighting the current state of cooperation between the participating countries and outlining priority areas for further integration in the field of railway transport.
The agenda of the meeting includes 11 key issues related to the sustainable operation of the railway systems of the CIS member states. Among them are issues of tariff policy in international freight and passenger transportation, strengthening the economic and financial stability of railway departments, as well as plans for the development of international transport corridors.
The CIS Railway Transport Council was established on 14 February 1992 as a coordinating body for the railway administrations of countries using a 1520 mm gauge. It functions as an industry interstate body coordinating the joint work of the railway systems of the Commonwealth countries.
The Council includes the railway administrations of Tajikistan, Russia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Armenia, Belarus, Moldova, Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan. Representatives of Iran, Latvia and Georgia participate in the work as associate members. The administrations of Lithuania and Estonia cooperate on the basis of separate agreements. The International Confederation of Railway and Transport Construction Trade Unions has observer status at the Council.
The meeting will include bilateral and multilateral negotiations between representatives of railway administrations. Participants will discuss issues of increasing transportation volumes, improving logistics and providing benefits for railway services.
During the event, an exhibition of achievements of the railway industry of Tajikistan, as well as products of domestic manufacturers, artisans and farmers was also organized. The participants of the meeting got acquainted with the exposition accompanied by representatives of the host party.
The work of the 82nd meeting of the Council will continue in Dushanbe on June 12.