Virtual exhibition of the CIS. The address of the Secretary General of the CIS Sergey Lebedev

Dear friends!

The Commonwealth of Independent States will celebrate its 35th anniversary in 2026. In recent years, its independent republics have been actively strengthening their statehood, developing their economies, and improving the well—being of their citizens, but at the same time they have maintained a desire to strengthen the common space - economic, social, humanitarian, and indivisible security space.

The CIS is strengthening its legislative framework and trade and economic cooperation. The members of the Commonwealth are steadily increasing their GDP figures. This is largely due to the deepening of integration, the improvement of industrial cooperation, the expansion of the free trade zone and the transition to mutual settlements in national currencies.

Thematic years are held with constant success in the CIS. The Year of Folk Art and Cultural Heritage has once again shown how vibrant and rich is the culture of our peoples who have lived side by side for centuries. The Year of the Volunteer Movement drew attention to volunteerism as an important component of the life of civil society. The Year of the Russian Language has confirmed its status as the language of international communication. And this year, 2026, is dedicated to the protection of health, an eternal value for all time.

The year 2025, which marked the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War and was declared the Year of Peace and Unity in the Fight against Nazism in the CIS, was of particular importance in the lives of our peoples. Common trials and one Great Victory have brought people together in our countries, prompted them to remember their heroic ancestors and made them think about how fragile peace and interethnic harmony are and how carefully they need to be protected.

New projects are emerging. The Games of the CIS countries, held in Russia, Belarus and Azerbaijan, have become a true celebration of sports and fair competition. The CIS Youth Capitals project, launched in Uzbekistan, is aimed at the younger generation, who will develop our Community. The establishment of the title "City of Labor Glory" allows us to pay tribute to the memory of the home front workers during the Great Patriotic War, who forged victory at machine tools, in fields and hospitals.

Our Commonwealth of Independent States, which has confirmed its viability and commitment to the future, demonstrates openness to cooperation in the Eurasian space and in the world as a whole. The Shanghai Cooperation Organization received Observer status at the CIS. The CIS+ format has been established. This turns the CIS into the core of reliable security and development mechanisms being formed in our vast region, and also allows it to take its rightful place in the new polycentric world.

Source: https://sng35.e-cis.info /