Meetings of CIS Foreign Ministers and the Central Asia-Russia Format Held in Moscow
On April 17, a meeting of the CIS Council of Foreign Ministers (CMFA) and the seventh meeting in the "Central Asia + Russia" format were held in Moscow, attended by a Turkmen delegation led by Deputy Foreign Minister Akhmet Gurbanov.
At the CMFA meeting, the heads of delegations approved decisions on key foundations in the field of education, specifically on information support for educational systems and the development of adult vocational training. These steps are aimed at making knowledge diplomacy a viable tool for integration.
The ministers also adopted a package of joint statements, including a document on the situation in the Persian Gulf and an address commemorating the 65th anniversary of human spaceflight. Looking to the future, the parties declared 2028 the "Year of Social Development and Quality of Life" in the Commonwealth, a move that aligns with Turkmenistan's national priorities.
Following the CIS session, a meeting in the "Central Asia + Russia" format took place. Here, the discussion took on a more practical nature: the parties compared notes on regional security and the fight against cross-border threats. However, as Akhmet Gurbanov noted, the region's stability depends not only on military measures but also on cultural connectivity. The participants reaffirmed their intention to expand professional exchanges, focusing on talent development and scientific cooperation.
Akhmet Gurbanov also announced the location of the main political event of the year. The next CIS summit, scheduled for October 9, 2026, will be held in the Avaza National Tourist Zone.
The summit will be preceded by a meeting of the CIS Foreign Ministers' Council, which will be held in Turkmenistan on October 7.
