The 22nd Meeting of the Consultative Council of Heads of State Archival Services of the CIS Took Place in Minsk on September 9

On September 9, 2026, the 22nd meeting of the Consultative Council of Heads of State Archival Services of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) member states was held at the CIS Executive Committee headquarters in Minsk. The event, timed to coincide with the 35th anniversary of the CIS’s formation, brought together leading archivists from across the Commonwealth.

Welcoming remarks were delivered by I.V.Petrishenko, First Deputy Secretary General of the CIS, and E.I.Kovalenko, Minister of Justice of the Republic of Belarus.

I.V.Petrishenko noted: «Since the Consultative Council was established in 2004, the archivists of our countries have traversed a long and challenging path. You have preserved national archival holdings despite all the shifts in the political and economic landscape.

Looking back today, we can state with absolute confidence that nowhere else in the world is there an equivalent to such close and systematic cooperation among national archival services». He also thanked Belarusian archivists for providing copies of archival materials dedicated to the Commonwealth’s 35th anniversary.

In his address, E.I.Kovalenko emphasized the role of archival work as a cornerstone of the state’s legal system and highlighted the need to develop unified approaches to regulating the archival sector amidst digital transformation.

During the meeting, participants discussed pressing issues regarding the development of archival work across the CIS region, including the implementation of innovative technologies and artificial intelligence. Particular attention was paid to the progress of the CIS Economic Development Strategy for the period up to 2030. As of 2026, the countries have embarked on the second stage of its implementation, which includes initiatives for sharing experience among archival organizations, improving access to documents, and training qualified personnel. Meeting participants also joined in congratulating the delegation of the Republic of Tajikistan on the occasion of the 35th anniversary of the republic’s state independence.

Following the meeting, the delegations visited the Department of Archives and Records Management of the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Belarus, where presentations of the exhibitions «Let’s Restore Belarus Together!» and «History of the Archival Sector in Belarus» took place.

The guests also visited the Belarusian State Museum of the History of the Great Patriotic War and laid flowers at the «Minsk – Hero City» obelisk.

The meeting was held in a constructive atmosphere, reaffirming the high level of cooperation among the archival services of CIS countries and their commitment to jointly addressing shared tasks regarding the preservation of historical memory.

Don’t forget to turn on the sound in the player!

1. Opening of the 22nd meeting of the Consultative Council of Heads of State Archival Services of CIS Member States

2. Reports on the meeting agenda by members of the Consultative Council

3. Heads of delegations in the meeting hall

4. Delegates in the meeting hall

5. Delegates outside the meeting hall entrance