The President of Kazakhstan addressed a meeting of the CIS Council of Heads of State, inbusiness.kz reports , citing Akorda .

Welcoming the meeting participants, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev expressed gratitude to the Tajik side and personally to President Emomali Rahmon for the impeccable organization of the summit and the traditionally warm hospitality.

“Tajikistan’s successful chairmanship has made a significant contribution to strengthening the organization’s potential. This summit will provide a strong impetus to the future work of the CIS, which we in Kazakhstan regard as a respected international organization,” he noted.

The President recalled that the current year marks the 80th anniversary of the Great Victory in World War II.

In Kazakhstan, we revere the unparalleled heroism of our fathers and mothers, the generation of victors who, under the most difficult circumstances, defended universal human values ​​for the development of all nations. The CIS countries, including Kazakhstan, celebrated this remarkable anniversary with dignity, culminating in grandiose and meaningful parades in Moscow and Beijing. It is our moral duty to cherish the memory of the heroes and all the real participants in this bloodiest war in human history. Unfortunately, 80 years after the Great Victory over fascism, the world once again faces the threat of a global conflict with dire consequences for human civilization. Kazakhstan opposes attempts to falsify the history of World War II and to diminish the historical significance of the Great Victory over fascism. We view with alarm the erosion of the foundations of international law, the catastrophic decline in trust between states, the intensification of confrontational rhetoric, the onset of a crisis in multilateral diplomacy, and the noticeable weakening of the peacekeeping potential of the United Nations. In these conditions of geopolitical upheaval, it is critically important to unite the efforts of the CIS countries and all our supporters to eliminate conflict-generating factors. This can only be achieved through mutual understanding and coordinated action, said Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.

Kassym-Jomart Tokayev believes that the CIS has proven its relevance as an effective international mechanism for strengthening trust between our countries.

In anticipation of the Commonwealth’s 35th anniversary, the head of our state made a number of proposals aimed at developing strategic partnerships between countries and improving the organization’s effectiveness.

According to the President of Kazakhstan, the intensification and expansion of trade and economic ties must remain an unconditional priority.

Last year, total trade turnover among CIS countries increased by 8%, reaching $110 billion. At the same time, Kazakhstan’s trade with CIS countries has grown by 50% over the past five years, reaching $38 billion. These figures clearly demonstrate that the Commonwealth’s trade and economic potential, while significant, is not yet fully exploited. We have a solid institutional and legal framework for further expanding trade and economic cooperation. We believe it is essential to prioritize ensuring direct, unimpeded access to services markets on a reciprocal basis, launching joint ventures, and expanding cooperation in key sectors. Priorities should include issues such as attracting investment, effectively utilizing transit and transport potential, implementing digital solutions, and developing horizontal regional connections.

To identify additional sources of economic growth for CIS member countries, we propose holding a brainstorming session on the sidelines of the international forum to be held in Astana next April under the auspices of the UN, dedicated to studying the nature and root causes of contemporary security and development challenges. Leading experts and analysts from CIS countries could contribute to addressing the most challenging issues of our time. In 2026, Kazakhstan will chair the Eurasian Economic Union. A number of important events are planned as part of its chairmanship, including the Eurasian Economic Forum. I take this opportunity to invite my esteemed colleagues, as well as government and business representatives from CIS countries, to actively participate in its work. Given that this forum addresses issues common to all our countries, I propose considering the possibility of granting it the status of a joint event of the EAEU and the CIS.

Kassym-Jomart Tokayev emphasized that productive trade and economic cooperation is only possible with the presence of actively functioning transport corridors. Our vast region has traditionally served as a link between Europe and Asia, playing a special role in the global transport and logistics system.

The North-South Corridor provides CIS countries with direct access to the markets of the Persian Gulf and South Asia. At the same time, the East-West and Trans-Caspian routes, in conjunction with China’s Belt and Road megaproject, are transforming the CIS into a unique land bridge across Eurasia. The recently launched Dostyk-Moiynty railway line in Kazakhstan, which marks the beginning of the Trans-Kazakhstan Railway Corridor, is designed to enhance our region’s transit capacity. However, to fully realize the transport potential of all our countries, we face the challenge of creating a modern infrastructure. I propose considering the possibility of developing a Unified Digital Transport and Logistics Map of the Commonwealth. This will allow us to consolidate national infrastructure plans and create a coherent space of transport connectivity, thereby facilitating the attraction of significant investment. The Concept for Connecting the Main Transport Arteries Passing through the Territories of the CIS, initiated by Kazakhstan, is nearing completion. To effectively manage freight flows, reduce costs, and minimize risks, this document should be supplemented with provisions providing for the implementation of artificial intelligence technologies, the president said.

The speech further noted that digitalization and artificial intelligence are becoming key factors in the sustainable development and competitiveness of states, and Kazakhstan is rapidly advancing a digital agenda encompassing public administration, the social sphere, and the daily lives of citizens.

Kassym-Jomart Tokayev announced the creation of a Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development, work on a Digital Code, and the development of a “Digital Kazakhstan” concept document, which will integrate all initiatives and projects into a single national strategy and ecosystem. The President also confirmed that Kazakhstan is open to cooperation in this area with all CIS countries.

Continuing on the topic, he discussed the recent decision to establish a university specializing in artificial intelligence in the country. Furthermore, a state program has successfully launched, reaching over 400,000 students and creating the conditions for the formation of research teams and DeepTech startups.

The head of state proposed scaling up this project and declared Kazakhstan’s readiness to cooperate with Commonwealth countries to train a new generation of specialists capable of working in a highly competitive global market.

The head of state identified environmental threats, natural disasters, and man-made catastrophes as serious risks to the sustainable progress of CIS countries. Given these challenges, the president sees it as crucial to use effective tools for the early detection and prevention of such crises.

“We propose combining our efforts by creating a Regional Center for Forecasting Climate and Man-Made Emergencies. The rapid shallowing of the Caspian Sea is a serious concern. In fact, this is no longer a regional problem, but a global one. Therefore, we propose joining the Interstate Program for the Conservation of Caspian Water Resources, which is being developed at our initiative. In addition to the Caspian littoral countries, all interested states and international organizations can be involved in the preparation of such an important document,” the president emphasized.

According to the head of state, the cultural and humanitarian spheres invariably serve as a key link linking our countries. In this context, he believes it is important to support the development of creative industries that combine tradition and innovation, historical heritage and modern technology.

“Kazakhstan is also making efforts to develop this sector. The added value of our creative sector has exceeded $2 billion, employing 143,000 people. Creative industries generate tangible economic benefits, but, crucially, have become an effective tool for cultural diplomacy aimed at strengthening the ties of friendship and good-neighborliness between our countries. The potential of the CIS countries in this sector is enormous. I propose establishing an Association of Creative Industries within the CIS Interstate Fund for Humanitarian Cooperation. Its main mission could be to support young talent, implement joint projects, and develop a creative economy ecosystem,” the head of state proposed.

The President further noted the importance of strengthening the CIS’s reputation and authority on the global stage. He emphasized that Kazakhstan is a consistent supporter of intensifying the Commonwealth’s international contacts.

“As you recall, at the suggestion of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the CIS Observer and Partner statuses were established in 2023. I am pleased to note that this initiative is yielding initial positive results. Today, we will decide to grant Observer status to the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. This event will open a new chapter in the history of interaction between Eurasian regional structures. Furthermore, we are establishing the “CIS Plus” format of interaction, which was proposed by Kazakhstan during the Moscow summit. I am confident that this step will also strengthen the CIS’s role on the international stage,” the President said.

In conclusion of his speech, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev welcomed the Council’s decision on Turkmenistan’s chairmanship of the CIS in 2026.

“I congratulate President of Turkmenistan Serdar Gurbangulyevich Berdimuhamedov on this important and honorable mission. We share a common goal: to transform the Commonwealth into a space of creation and progress, new ideas and opportunities. I am confident that through our joint efforts, we can strengthen the CIS as a dynamic, effective, and forward-looking international organization,” the head of state concluded.

The meeting was also addressed by President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan, President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko, President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov, President of Russia Vladimir Putin, President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov, President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, and CIS Secretary General Sergei Lebedev.

Google machine translated

https://inbusiness.kz/ru/news/tokaev-predlozhil-sozdat-regionalnyj-centr-prognozirovaniya-klimaticheskih-i-tehnogennyh-chs