Ismail Abdulazeez Reporting
The World Public Assembly became a stage for one of the most robust conversations on the future of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), as representatives from Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan gathered for the panel session “The Commonwealth of Independent States: Conscious Unity.”
Experts, diplomats, parliamentarians, and civic leaders agreed that while the CIS has been a “school of sovereignty and diplomacy” for post-Soviet nations, today’s rapidly shifting global environment demands new strategies and fresh approaches.
Saidmukhtar Saidkasimov, Chairman of the Public Council of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan, urged participants not to downplay the Commonwealth’s historical role. “There are a lot of publications now where the importance of the CIS is belittled… but the historical significance of the commonwealth should not be belittled, especially its huge role in the civilized and peaceful ‘divorce’ of the fifteen former republics of the USSR,” he stated.
From Armenia, Eduard Sharmazanov of the Republican Party emphasized the CIS’s historic mission of solidarity: “Our peoples defeated Nazism together, therefore our task is to resist its modern manifestation. This is now the landmark mission of the CIS.”
Speakers underscored culture as a unifying thread. Kyrgyz deputy Khanjeza Karim highlighted the importance of historical memory and cultural exchange: “Together we can present the CIS as a symbol of friendship and unity of peoples. Culture is a universal language that means a lot in the long run.”
Belarusian analyst Yevgeny Preigerman called for innovation to prevent stagnation: “Even the greatest love is killed by routine, so we cannot allow a lot of routine in the CIS… We need to continue cooperation to generate new and regenerate old ties.”
The session culminated in a resolution outlining practical steps for the Commonwealth’s renewal. Key proposals included:
Joint media projects to strengthen information sovereignty and counter disinformation.
Expanded cooperation in education, youth policy, culture, and creative industries.
A CIS internet platform to promote cultural values, cinema, music, and crafts.
Systematic youth engagement through forums, exchanges, and cultural initiatives.
One of the most ambitious outcomes was the proposal to create a CIS Youth Belt under the World Public Assembly—a platform designed to unite young activists and organizations across member states through leadership programs, cultural exchanges, and collaborative projects.
In their final declaration, participants stressed that “conscious unity is not only a concept, but also a practical necessity,” calling for mutual support, open dialogue, and respect for identity as the foundation for a sustainable and forward-looking Commonwealth.