On April 30, 2026, Khalmurat Rashidov, Deputy Director of the Department for Cooperation in Political, Humanitarian, and Social Spheres of the CIS Executive Committee, took part in the virtual dialogue “Rebooting health promotion: marking 40 years of the Ottawa Charter in the WHO European Region”.
The meeting was organized by the WHO Regional Office in Europe. The main objective of the dialogue was the Ottawa Charter’s legacy updating and adapting its principles to the context of global transformations of health systems.
In his address, Khalmurat Rashidov stressed that modern healthcare today is not only about medicine, but also about social justice, the environment and sound governance. These fundamental values, he noted, must shape long-term health policy decisions.
Within the framework of regional cooperation among CIS countries, extensive work is currently under way to revise the “Health of the Population of the CIS Member States” Strategy*. This initiative is timed to coincide with the Year of Health Protection in the CIS, which is being observed in 2026. The updated Strategy aims to create a coordinated approach placing disease prevention and the strengthening of primary healthcare – enhanced by modern digital solutions – at its core.
Particular attention in the report was paid to the formation of a common health area within the Commonwealth. The main efforts are directed at reducing the burden of noncommunicable diseases, minimizing risk factors, and combating infections such as tuberculosis and viral hepatitis. This work is fully consistent with the principles of the Ottawa Charter, reaffirming the importance of intersectoral action and active community participation.
In conclusion, it was noted that the creation of a common health area within the CIS represents a practical contribution of the region to the achievements of the global Sustainable Development Goals. The Commonwealth platform remains open to close cooperation with international partners and the World Health Organization to ensure the well-being and health of citizens.
*View the full document via the link (in Russian).