In Moscow, Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan Olzhas Bektenov took part in a meeting of the Council of Heads of Government of the Commonwealth of Independent States, El.kz cites primeminister.kz.
The event was held at the Bauman Moscow State Technical University, where members of the delegations were also presented engineering projects and scientific developments of students of CIS countries studying in Russian universities.
The Council session was attended by Heads of State of the CIS member states: Ali Asadov of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Roman Golovchenko of the Republic of Belarus, Akylbek Japarov of the Republic of Kyrgyzstan, Mikhail Mishustin of the Russian Federation, Kohir Rasulzoda of the Republic of Tajikistan, Abdulla Aripov of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Mher Grigoryan, Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia; as well as Nazarkuly Shakulyev, Permanent Plenipotentiary Representative of the Republic of Turkmenistan to the statutory and other bodies of the CIS, the General Director of the CIS, and from an associated member of the Commonwealth.
The issues of strengthening trade and economic cooperation, developing transport corridors and increasing the volume of supplies, preserving the environment, strengthening cultural and humanitarian ties and realising scientific potential were discussed.
Expansion of trade and economic ties remains a priority task for the Commonwealth member states. Speaking at the Council meeting, Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov emphasised that a quarter of Kazakhstan's foreign trade falls on the markets of CIS countries. In this regard, there is a need for systematic identification and elimination of existing barriers. The head of the Government noted that the establishment of the interstate programme "Commonwealth Fair" initiated by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev would contribute to strengthening economic ties between the CIS countries.
An important factor in the development of trade and economic cooperation is the expansion of transport corridors. Olzhas Bektenov emphasised that the CIS has a special role in transcontinental transport flows, in particular, in the direction "West-East" and "North-South". The Concept of interfacing the main transport arteries of the CIS, developed by the Kazakh side, was sent to the CIS Executive Committee in October 2024. This project will increase the transport capacity of the Commonwealth countries.
Olzhas Bektenov paid special attention to the issue of strengthening cooperation in the field of ecology. Prevention of climate challenges and elimination of their consequences contributes to sustainable regional and global development.
"An example of successful regional co-operation on the preservation of unique natural ecosystems can serve as a transboundary biosphere reserve “Altai”. It was created by joint efforts of Kazakhstan and Russia on the basis of ‘Katon-Karagai National Nature Park’ and ‘Katun Biosphere Reserve’. In 2017, it was included in the UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves, becoming the first joint reserve in Asia. Today, on the basis of this unique project, research work is carried out, conferences are held, and the exchange of experience and expertise is organised. Thus, a unique model of transboundary cooperation in the field of preservation of natural values on the basis of specially protected areas has been worked out in Altai," Olzhas Bektenov noted.
Following the results of the Government session of the Council of Heads of State of the Commonwealth of Independent States, a number of documents were signed, including on cooperation in the development of civil shipbuilding and production of ship component equipment, in the field of digital transformation of the transport complex, and others.
In the walls of Bauman Moscow State Technical University the heads of delegations familiarised themselves with the projects and developments of students. The research cluster "Quantum Park" was designed and built specifically to solve practical problems at the intersection of quantum, photonic and fluid technologies. The authors of the presented projects became finalists of the strategic session of undergraduate and postgraduate students of CIS countries "University without Borders: Everyone's Ideas - Future for All". The project "Caspian Orbit" presented by Orynbasar Dzhantureyev, a student of Bauman Moscow State Technical University, involves the introduction of space monitoring technologies and rational transboundary water use to solve the problems of shoaling of the largest closed water body in the world. The Green Cyber Farm project was presented by Amina Dzheksembayeva, a student of the Moscow Aviation Institute. The project demonstrates a robotic platform powered by renewable energy sources for sustainable high-efficiency agriculture.
The next CIS Council of Heads of Government session will be held in May 2025 in Dushanbe.