Translated with AI
On July 18, the regular meeting of the CIS Economic Council was held in Moscow under the chairmanship of Tajikistan. Participants noted the positive dynamics in the economic development of the Commonwealth countries in 2024, according to the press service of the CIS Executive Committee.
"Economic integration remains the core area of cooperation within the CIS. The key structures coordinating cooperation between member states are the CIS Economic Council (at the deputy prime minister level) and the Council of Heads of Government of the Commonwealth," commented Andrei Grozov, Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation to the statutory and other bodies of the CIS, following the meeting of the CIS Economic Council.
Participants noted the positive dynamics in the economic development of the Commonwealth countries in 2024 (GDP for the CIS as a whole increased by 4.5%). They also noted that the growth trend continues, which speaks to the CIS's status as a strong and sustainable integration association. Russia remains a key economic partner for the Commonwealth countries, ranking first in foreign trade turnover for Armenia and Belarus, second for Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, and third for Azerbaijan.
Energy security plays a key role in cooperation within the CIS. The heads of delegations approved a draft Declaration on Cooperation in Ensuring Regional Energy Security, which will be submitted to the Council of Heads of State on October 10 this year in Dushanbe. The document aims to develop the energy complex of the Commonwealth countries, strengthen their energy security for sustainable economic growth, and promote a shared vision of regional security parameters within the international energy agenda. It enshrines the importance of combining efforts to leverage the advantages of traditional and renewable energy sources and low-emission technologies, taking into account the specific needs of each country, facilitating the implementation of joint energy projects, and creating favorable conditions for attracting investment.
A number of documents were considered, which will be adopted at the meeting of the CIS Heads of Government Council on September 30 in Minsk. In particular, this concerns the draft Action Plan for the implementation of the second stage (2026-2030) of the framework program for cooperation of the CIS member states in the field of peaceful uses of atomic energy through 2030, aimed at developing and improving the infrastructure and safety systems at nuclear power facilities, as well as expanding the use of nuclear technologies in industry, agriculture, medicine and other sectors of the economy; the draft Concept of pricing in the construction activities of the CIS states, the purpose of which is to increase the economic potential and competitiveness of the CIS member states through the harmonization of pricing in the implementation of investment projects in construction, and the Plan of key measures for its implementation; the draft of the Main Directions of Cooperation of the CIS States in the Field of Forestry and the Forest Industry for the Period up to 2035, as well as a package of solutions in the field of agriculture, including in the fight against rabies, foot-and-mouth disease, bird flu, Newcastle disease, and locust pests.
The meeting heard a report on the activities of the Commonwealth Commission on the Peaceful Uses of Atomic Energy over the past four years. This is one of the most effective industry bodies in the CIS, making a significant contribution to the development of the nuclear industry and ensuring nuclear and radiation safety. In particular, it was noted that there is a need to strengthen the information and outreach component of integration cooperation in this area, especially against the backdrop of active attempts by the collective West to exploit the peaceful use of nuclear energy to advance its interests in the region, including through negative influence on public opinion.
The CIS Economic Council has decided to establish an international competition, "Best Young Metrologist of the CIS," to be held biennially. The main objective is to provide young professionals with a platform for exchanging experiences and discussing current issues in ensuring the uniformity of measurements at the interstate and regional levels.
It was decided to transfer the functions of the CIS base organization for the development of national nuclear infrastructures to the Russian institution for the development of the international regional network of the nuclear energy industry complex, Rosatom-International Network.
The Federal State Autonomous Scientific Institution "Research Institute of the Baking Industry" (Russia) has been designated as the basic organization of the Commonwealth for advanced training and professional retraining of personnel in the bakery industry.
The next meeting of the Commonwealth Economic Council is scheduled for September 5 in Dushanbe.
