The official portal of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) Executive Committee has published the foundational documents for Turkmenistan’s chairmanship of the Commonwealth in 2026—the Concept and a detailed Action Plan for its implementation.
Upon assuming the presidency, Ashgabat relies on the unwavering principles of permanent neutrality and good-neighborliness, offering partners a comprehensive program for modernizing regional interaction.
The document covers five strategic vectors: ranging from strengthening security and diplomatic dialogue to large-scale digital transformation and environmental sustainability.
Here are the key points of the program that will define the Commonwealth’s agenda for the coming year.
1. Peace, Security, and Diplomacy
- Strengthening Regional Security: Promoting the principles of neutrality, developing mechanisms for the prevention of terrorism and extremism, and ensuring border security.
- Political Dialogue: Intensifying diplomatic interaction to strengthen the role of the CIS as a platform for peaceful dialogue and conducting regular consultations between Ministries of Foreign Affairs.
- International Law: Turkmenistan plans to propose that CIS partners develop a common line at the UN to protect the norms of international law and the UN Charter. An initiative has been put forward to declare 2028 the “Year of International Law.”
- Cooperation with the UN: Increasing the level of interaction between the UN and the CIS based on the General Assembly resolution adopted on August 26, 2025.
2. Economy and Transport Connectivity
- Transport Corridors: Developing trans-regional corridors “North–South” and “East–West,” as well as implementing the “Integration of CIS Transport Corridors” initiative. Particular attention is paid to the Caspian region as an international hub.
- Energy: Developing cooperation in the energy sector, including projects in “green” and renewable energy.
- Trade and Investment: Creating conditions to increase the investment attractiveness of member states and expanding e-commerce.
- Significant Initiatives: Turkmenistan proposes to declare 2027 the “Year of CIS Transport Connectivity.”
3. Digital Transformation and Innovation
- Technological Development: A focus on creating technological clusters with the participation of government agencies, private companies, and scientific communities.
- New Technologies: Developing cooperation in the field of artificial intelligence, telecommunications, and ensuring cyber resilience.
- Science: Implementing the Strategy for Scientific and Technological Development of the CIS for 2026–2035.
4. Ecology and Sustainable Development
- Environmental Protection: Exchanging technologies in the field of renewable energy and supporting programs for climate change adaptation.
- Caspian Ecology: Turkmenistan intends to convene the Second Caspian Environmental Forum in 2026 to preserve the unique flora and fauna of the reservoir.
- Monitoring: Creating a regional system for environmental monitoring and response.
5. Humanitarian Cooperation
- Support for Exchanges: Promoting projects in the fields of science, education, sports, tourism, and youth exchanges.
- Cultural Dialogue: Encouraging multilingualism and strengthening mutual understanding through the preservation of the spiritual heritage of the peoples of the Commonwealth.
According to the Action Plan for the implementation of the Concept of Turkmenistan’s Chairmanship in the CIS, 25 major events are scheduled for 2026.
Seven events are planned to be hosted by Turkmenistan, including:
- Meeting of the Council of Heads of Government of the CIS — May 2026.
- Meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the CIS — October 2026, Awaza.
- Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the CIS — 9 October 2026, Awaza.
- Meeting of the Economic Council of the CIS — September 2026.
- 84th Meeting of the Council for Rail Transport of the CIS Member States — May–June 2026.
- Event dedicated to the declaration of 2027 as the “Year of CIS Transport Connectivity” — throughout 2026.
- Meeting of the Council for Cultural Cooperation of the CIS Member States — throughout 2026, Ashgabat.
The full text of the Concept can be found here: https://eccis.org/upload/files/2026-turkmenistan.pdf
///nCa, 11 March 2026