Turkmenistan will assume the chairmanship of the Commonwealth of Independent States in 2026. The decision was made on 10 October at the summit of the CIS Council of Heads of State in Dushanbe, which was attended by President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov. This was reported by the news website Asmannews.

The next meeting of the Commonwealth leaders will be held in Turkmenistan on 9 October 2026.

Speaking at the summit, Serdar Berdimuhamedov presented initiatives to strengthen the economic and transit potential of the CIS. The President of Turkmenistan emphasised the need for full implementation of the Economic Development Strategy until 2030 and noted the formation of key North-South and East-West transport and logistics routes, in which Central Asia and the Caspian region should play a central role.

The Head of State also proposed developing technological partnerships, joint production and knowledge exchange within the CIS. The President of Turkmenistan noted that in the context of a difficult international situation, the Commonwealth remains a platform for equal cooperation, calling for the strengthening of international law and the UN Charter, including regular consultations between the foreign ministries of the CIS countries.

In addition, Serdar Berdimuhamedov invited the leaders of the Commonwealth to Ashgabat on 12 December to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Turkmenistan's permanent neutrality and assured them that the country would responsibly fulfil its functions as the future chair.