Minsk, September 30, 2025 – The Europe Today: Prime Minister of Azerbaijan Ali Asadov participated in a meeting of the Council of Heads of Government of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), held in Minsk, the capital of Belarus.
In his address during the limited-format session, Prime Minister Asadov underscored the importance of strengthening cooperation across various levels within the CIS. He highlighted the significance of humanitarian ties, particularly collaboration in the healthcare sector, and noted that the meeting was expected to approve the Action Plan for the “Year of Health Protection” in 2026. Asadov emphasized that improving the qualifications of medical personnel and introducing innovative technologies into healthcare systems remain key priorities.
The Prime Minister also stressed the role of sports in building a healthy and sustainable society, noting that the recent opening of the 3rd CIS Games in Ganja on September 28 marked a milestone for Azerbaijan. The ceremony was attended by President Ilham Aliyev, and the event has brought together more than 1,600 athletes competing in 23 sports disciplines across seven cities. Asadov expressed confidence that the Games would further strengthen friendship, promote the spirit of sports, and contribute to the development of the sports industry and culture across the CIS.
Turning to economic cooperation, the Azerbaijani leader reported that mutual trade between Azerbaijan and CIS countries had grown by more than 21 percent during the first eight months of the current year. He underscored the crucial role of modern transport and logistics infrastructure in boosting regional and international trade, noting that Azerbaijan has become one of Eurasia’s leading transport and logistics hubs. He highlighted ongoing work to modernize infrastructure and advance the East-West and North-South transport corridors, as well as the development of the new Zangezur Corridor to connect mainland Azerbaijan with the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic.
Prime Minister Asadov further emphasized Azerbaijan’s commitment to addressing global climate challenges by investing in renewable energy projects, including wind and hydropower. He noted that Baku has signed agreements with Central Asian states to jointly implement green energy initiatives, reflecting the country’s strong commitment to international cooperation on sustainability.
Concluding his remarks, Asadov reiterated the importance of maintaining constructive dialogue and mutual respect among CIS member states to ensure progress across all areas of cooperation.
The meeting later continued in an expanded format, during which heads of government signed a series of documents summarizing the outcomes of the session.
