The meeting of the CIS Information Council, which took place on December 15 in Minsk, represented an essential stage in strengthening cooperation in the information sphere. This also became a key point for discussing and making strategic decisions in information cooperation between the Commonwealth of Independent States countries.

The opening ceremony

First Deputy Secretary General of the CIS Leonid Anfimov welcomed the participants of the 30th meeting of the Council of Heads of State News Agencies of the Commonwealth.

In his address, he emphasized the importance of the CIS Information Council, which has supported the region’s integration process for 28 years. Anfimov noted that the heads of the CIS states in October 2023 highly appreciated cooperation issues in the information sphere.

The meeting was an excellent opportunity to evaluate the interaction results, discuss current cooperation issues, and strengthen partnership. He emphasized the importance of this body of industry cooperation in the post-Soviet space in providing information support for the integration process in the region.

Current issues and reports

Heads of state news agencies of the CIS presented reports on the current state of cooperation. Current issues aimed at improving interaction in the information sphere were discussed.

Head of the Global Communications Department of the Azerbaijan State News Agency “AZERTAC” Elshan Shahbalayev emphasized that the current year has been productive in interaction between agencies. He highlighted various meetings and conferences that brought positions closer together, facilitating joint solutions to complex problems.

He also mentioned the successful launch of the joint information banner by BELTA. This tool not only informs the public, but also increases traffic to partners. A significant emphasis is placed on combating fake news and disinformation within the CIS news agencies. Shahbalayev emphasized the need for a rapid response and supported the creation of a common mechanism to combat disinformation, noting successful projects in this area.

Director of the Khovar National News Agency Subhiddin Shamsiddinzoda emphasized that the Information Council of the CIS countries plays a key role in strengthening communications and cooperation between states in the media sphere. The media, particularly government news agencies, play a decisive role in a rapidly changing world, where issues of strengthening relations are pressing.

He expressed his readiness to preserve traditions, cultural and historical heritage and promote values that strengthen friendly relations.

The Khovar Director also called for efforts to improve the collaboration mechanism, update interaction models, and enhance cooperation channels within the CIS. The final events of the CIS, the progress of implementation of Information Council projects, and areas of cooperation were the main topics of discussion by representatives of state information agencies at a meeting in Minsk.

Head of the TDH Department (Turkmenistan) Gulyalek Muhammedberdieva emphasized the importance of cooperation between news agencies and proposed organizing workshops to exchange experiences.

Deputy Director General of the Kabar News Agency Ulan Choibekov expressed the Kyrgyz agency’s intention to strengthen ties and joint projects, covering the successfully held Delphic Games of the CIS Member States.

Head of the Strategy and Monitoring Department at UzA Abduaziz Khidirov spoke about plans to support cultural statuses for Samarkand and Tashkent, emphasizing their symbolic and practical significance.

Information security issues

TASS Director General Andrey Kondrashov emphasized that attacks on information systems occur daily. Ways to improve protection and the importance of joining forces were discussed.

He supported the idea of mutual assistance between states, noting that common goals and objectives require joint efforts. The head of TASS emphasized that their news agency has powerful technical means capable of identifying and countering fakes, including using information security tools.

According to Kondrashov, an essential part of the fight against attacks is identifying and preventing the spread of disinformation. Together, with efforts and experience, the CIS countries can effectively cope with these challenges and ensure the information security of the region.

Summarizing and interaction

The meeting ended with summing up the results and expressing the intention of the participants to continue cooperation in the information sphere.

Head of the Information and Informatization Department of the CIS Executive Committee Igor Grigoriev, speaking about other significant events of the year, recalled that in the Commonwealth of Independent States, 2023 is the Year of the Russian language as a language of interethnic communication. More than 150 joint scientific, educational, cultural, enlightenment, and creative events were held in the CIS countries. At the summit mentioned above in Bishkek, an agreement was signed to establish the International Russian Language Organization.

Following the meeting, a proposal was made to hold the next meeting of the Council of Heads of State News Agencies of the CIS in Baku, Azerbaijan.

Following the meeting, a special congratulation from the CIS Secretary General Sergey Lebedev was read out by his first deputy, Leonid Anfimov, who emphasized the anniversary meeting and congratulated BELTA on its 105th anniversary, expressing gratitude for organizing the event.

The meeting of the CIS Information Council demonstrated the importance of joint efforts in the information sphere and confirmed the commitment of the CIS countries to strengthen media partnership and exchange of experience.

Abduaziz Khidirov, UzA

Minsk, Belarus