On May 22, the regular meeting of the CIS Heads of Government Council took place in the Turkmen capital, becoming one of the key events of Turkmenistan's 2026 CIS chairmanship. The summit, held at the Garagum Hotel, brought together representative government delegations from the Commonwealth countries. On behalf of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, Deputy Prime Minister Khodjamyrat Geldimyradov led the Turkmen delegation.

The meeting was attended by Prime Minister of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ali Asadov, Prime Minister of the Republic of Belarus Alexander Turchin, Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan Olzhas Bektenov, Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers - Head of the Presidential Administration of the Kyrgyz Republic Adylbek Kasymaliev, Chairman of the Government of the Russian Federation Mikhail Mishustin, Prime Minister of the Republic of Tajikistan Kokhir Rasulzoda, Prime Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan Abdulla Aripov, Permanent Plenipotentiary Representative of the Republic of Armenia to the statutory and other bodies of the CIS, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Armenia to the Republic of Belarus Razmik Khumaryan, and CIS Secretary General Sergei Lebedev.

The meetings, both in small and expanded formats, resulted in the adoption of a package of key agreements aimed at creating a sustainable, technologically advanced, and secure Eurasian ecosystem.

The delegation leaders' discussions focused on the practical implementation of the CIS Economic Development Strategy for the Period up to 2030, which will be based on the Declaration on Strategic Economic Cooperation adopted in Ashgabat. The Turkmen side has placed a key emphasis on maximizing the region's transport and communications potential. Ashgabat consistently promotes the creation of cross-cutting multimodal corridors capable of linking domestic routes in Central Asia and the Caspian Basin with global markets.

The Turkmenbashi International Seaport is considered the hub for this infrastructure. The meeting participants discussed mechanisms for linking existing CIS transport arteries with major international corridors in the North-South and East-West directions.

Such integration will radically improve the speed, accessibility, and quality of transit freight transportation, streamlining export and import operations throughout the CIS. A Concept for the Integration of Major Transport Arteries Passing through the Territories of CIS Member States was signed at the meeting.

The economic component of the expanded negotiations focused on innovative development and digital transformation. Turkmenistan, which launched its own Concept for the Development of the Digital Economy for 2026–2028, proposed that its CIS partners synchronize their efforts in this area. The introduction of intelligent platforms in trade and logistics is seen as a key factor in increasing the competitiveness of CIS products on the global market, eliminating unnecessary administrative barriers and simplifying customs procedures.

At the same time, the parties outlined a comprehensive modernization of the industrial sector. Specifically, the digital transformation of the mining and metallurgical complex, the development of joint projects in the chemical and textile industries, and the production of construction materials were discussed.

In the energy sector, Ashgabat emphasized the joint development of electric power infrastructure, the implementation of energy-efficient technologies, and the launch of pilot renewable energy projects.

A separate agenda item was the coordination of actions in the areas of ecology, water conservation, and agricultural cooperation to ensure food security in the macro-region.

The humanitarian dimension was highlighted at the summit as an integral part of a trusting partnership. The fact that 2026 has been declared the Year of Health in the Commonwealth added particular symbolism to the meeting. In this regard, delegates discussed the launch of new targeted programs to exchange best medical practices.

An important organizational decision, signed by the heads of delegations, was the approval of new Youth Capitals of the Commonwealth. Based on consensus and with the full support of the Turkmen side, this honorary status was officially assigned to Minsk (Republic of Belarus) for 2027 and Karaganda (Republic of Kazakhstan) for 2028.

Summing up the summit at the final press conference, CIS Secretary-General Sergey Lebedev emphasized the high organizational level of the meeting in Ashgabat and stated that the decisions adopted would serve as a powerful catalyst for further integration processes throughout the Commonwealth.

The next meeting of the Council of Heads of Government of the Commonwealth of Independent States is scheduled for December 2026 in Moscow.