According to Secretary-General of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) Sergey Lebedev, the political and economic integration of the Commonwealth with the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) serves as a key factor in strengthening security and sustainable development on the Eurasian continent.
He expressed his opinion in a video address to the participants of the second meeting of the Termez Dialogue on Connectivity between Central and South Asia, which opened in Tashkent on June 4, 2026.
Cooperation with the SCO: from politics to practice
Sergey Lebedev noted that the SCO had the observer status in the CIS, and the two organizations had been successfully interacting for more than two decades. “Such political integration between major players directly strengthens security across the entire Eurasian continent,” the CIS Secretary-General said. Nevertheless, to ensure sustainable development, political agreements must be transformed into concrete practical results. As key priorities for partnership until 2030, he singled out the following:
- the development of large-scale industrial cooperation;
- the diversification of trade turnover;
- the increase of settlements in national currencies;
- and the establishment of sustainable, independent and cross-cutting transport routes.
“Smart Integration” with the EAEU
Sergey Lebedev paid particular attention to the experience of interaction between the CIS and the EAEU, calling it an example of so-called “smart integration”. According to him, systematic cooperation between these structures has lasted for more than 13 years and includes the exchange of best practices and the removal of barriers for business. “Just a few days ago, we took a most important step forward and adopted a new action plan for 2026-2030. This is our common response to contemporary challenges,” Sergey Lebedev elaborated. He stressed that the experience of creating a barrier-free environment is of great importance for the broader space, especially in the context of strengthening ties between Central and South Asia.
Economic Sustainability and Growth
The CIS Secretary-General also noted that the economic and political sustainability makes the organization an attractive partner in the world arena. At the end of 2025, the GDP of the Commonwealth countries increased by 2.1%, and this upward trend continues in the current 2026 year. The Commonwealth countries are steadily increasing the volume of reciprocal trade and expanding the geography of supplies.
“Over 35 years of its activity, the Commonwealth of Independent States has become a fundamental political and economic platform for broad cooperation. And today, a common political will allows us to show steady growth,” Sergey Lebedev concluded.
The Termez Dialogue is an international platform initiated by Uzbekistan to discuss the issues related to connectivity, security and economic cooperation between the countries of Central and South Asia. The event is supported by the Institute for Strategic and Regional Studies under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The participation of representatives of the CIS, SCO and other international organizations underscores the growing role of the region in the global architecture of security and economy.