Commonwealth of Independent States facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

This page is about the association of former Soviet republics. For the association of primarily former British Empire territories, see Commonwealth of Nations.

Quick facts for kids Commonwealth of Independent States (in other regional languages) Armenian: Համագործակցություն Անկախ պետությունների Hamagortsakts’ut’yun Ankakh petut’yunner Azerbaijani: Müstəqil Dövlətlər Birliyi (MDB) Belarusian: Садружнасць Незалежных Дзяржаў (СНД) Sadružnasć Niezaliežnych Dziaržaŭ Kazakh: Тәуелсіз Мемлекеттер Достастығы (ТМД) Täuelsız Memleketter Dostastyğy Kyrgyz: Көз карандысыз Мамлекеттер Шериктештиги (КМШ) Köz karandısız Mamleketter Şerikteştigi Romanian: Comunitatea Statelor Independente (CSI) Russian: Содружество Независимых Государств (СНГ) Sodruzhestvo Nezavisimykh Gosudarstv Tajik: Иттиходи Давлатҳои Мустақил Ittixodi Davlathoi Mustaqil (ИДМ) Uzbek: Мустақил Давлатлар Ҳамдўстлиги (МДХ) Mustaqil Davlatlar Hamdoʻstligi
Flag Emblem
Member states Associate state
Administrative seats	Minsk Moscow
Largest city	Moscow
Working language	Russian
Type	Intergovernmental
Membership	9 member states Armenia Azerbaijan Belarus Kazakhstan Kyrgyzstan Moldova (suspended participation) Russia Tajikistan Uzbekistan 1 associate state Turkmenistan
Leaders

• General Secretary	Sergey Lebedev

Legislature	Interparliamentary Assembly
Establishment

• Belavezha Accords	8 December 1991
• Alma-Ata Protocol	21 December 1991
• Charter adopted	22 January 1993
• Free Trade Area	20 September 2012

Area
• Total	20,368,759 km² (7,864,422 sq mi)
Population
• 2025 estimate	251,764,976 (including Crimea)
• Density	12.09/km² (31.3/sq mi)
GDP (PPP)	2025 estimate
• Total	$9.40 trillion
• Per capita	$37,340 (approx.)
GDP (nominal)	2024 estimate
• Total	$2.81 trillion
• Per capita	$11,417 (approx.)
HDI (2017)	0.740 high
Currency	No common currency^a Member states Armenian dram (֏) Azerbaijani manat (₼) Belarusian ruble (Rbl) Kazakhstani tenge (₸) Kyrgyzstani som (с) Moldovan leu (L) Russian ruble (₽) Tajikistani somoni (SM) Uzbekistani soum (soʻm) Associate state Turkmenistani manat (m)
Time zone	UTC +2 to +12
Driving side	right
Internet TLD	.ru, .by, .am, .kz, .kg, .az, .md, .tj, .uz
^a Soviet ruble (руб) used from 1991 to 1994

The Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) is a group of countries in Eurasia. It was formed in 1991 after the Soviet Union broke apart. The CIS helps these countries work together on things like their economies, politics, and security. It covers a huge area of over 20 million square kilometers.

The CIS was created by Belarus, Russia, and Ukraine on December 8, 1991. They signed an agreement saying the Soviet Union no longer existed. Later that month, eight more countries joined. These were Armenia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. Georgia joined in 1993 but left in 2008 after a conflict with Russia. Ukraine stopped taking part in 2014 and formally ended its involvement in 2018. Moldova has also been reducing its participation since 2022.

Many CIS countries are part of a Free Trade Area. This means they can trade with each other more easily. Some other groups also grew out of the CIS. These include the Collective Security Treaty Organization (a military alliance) and the Eurasian Economic Union (an economic group).

How the CIS Was Formed and Works

The Beginning of the CIS

Signing of the Belovezh Accords on December 8, 1991.

The idea for the CIS came from the history of the Russian Empire and later the Soviet Union. These were large areas where many different countries were once united. In 1991, the Soviet Union was facing big problems. Its president, Mikhail Gorbachev, tried to keep the union together. But an attempted coup in Moscow failed. This made many republics declare their independence.

Creating the CIS

The agreement that created the CIS on December 8, 1991.

The protocol signed on December 21, 1991, expanding the CIS.

After the failed coup, Belarus, Russia, and Ukraine met in December 1991. They signed the "Agreement Establishing the Commonwealth of Independent States." This agreement is known as the Belovezh Accords. They announced that the Soviet Union had ended. They also said the new CIS would be open to other former Soviet republics.

Soon after, on December 21, 1991, leaders from eight more republics joined. This was done by signing the Alma-Ata Protocol. This brought the total number of participating countries to eleven. The Baltic states (Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania) did not join. The Soviet Union officially dissolved on December 26, 1991.

The CIS Charter

A CIS Summit meeting in June 2000.

On January 22, 1993, the CIS countries signed the Charter. This document set up the rules and different parts of the CIS. It explained how the organization would work. It also said that only countries that signed the Charter would be full members.

Ukraine and Turkmenistan did not sign the Charter. However, they still took part in many CIS activities. Turkmenistan later became an associate member in 2005. Georgia left the CIS completely in 2009. Ukraine stopped participating in 2018.

General Secretary of the CIS

The General Secretary helps coordinate the work of the CIS. Here are the people who have held this important role:

General Secretaries
Name	Term
/ Ivan Korotchenya	May 14, 1993 – April 29, 1998
Boris Berezovsky	April 29, 1998 – March 4, 1999
Ivan Korotchenya	March 4, 1999 – April 2, 1999
Yury Yarov	April 2, 1999 – July 14, 2004
Vladimir Rushailo	July 14, 2004 – October 5, 2007
Sergei Lebedev	October 5, 2007 – present

Interparliamentary Assembly

The Interparliamentary Assembly was created in 1992. It is like a meeting place for the parliaments of CIS countries. They discuss common issues and create "model laws." These model laws can then be used by each country to help make their own laws similar. This helps the countries work together better. The Assembly also sends observers to watch national elections.

Recent Changes in the CIS

Between 2003 and 2005, some CIS countries had changes in their governments. Georgia left the CIS in 2009 after a war with Russia. In 2009, several CIS countries also joined the Eastern Partnership. This is a project started by the European Union to build closer ties.

Who Belongs to the CIS?

There are nine full member states of the Commonwealth of Independent States. A country becomes a member by ratifying the CIS Charter. Countries that signed the first agreement are called "Founding states."

Member States

Country	Signed Agreement	Charter Ratified	Notes
Armenia	21 December 1991	16 March 1994	Founding state.
Azerbaijan	21 December 1991	14 December 1993
Belarus	8 December 1991	18 January 1994	Founding state.
Kazakhstan	21 December 1991	20 April 1994	Founding state.
Kyrgyzstan	21 December 1991	12 April 1994	Founding state.
Moldova	21 December 1991	27 June 1994	Moldova has been reducing its participation since November 2022. It plans to leave most agreements by the end of 2024.
Russia	8 December 1991	20 July 1993	Founding state.
Tajikistan	21 December 1991	14 August 1993
Uzbekistan	21 December 1991	9 February 1994	Founding state.

Moldova's Participation

Moldova has been thinking about leaving the CIS for a while. In 2022, Moldova's Foreign Minister said they would suspend their participation in CIS meetings. By May 2023, Moldova started withdrawing from many treaties it had signed with the CIS. This is because Moldova wants to join the European Union. By the end of 2023, Moldova announced it plans to fully withdraw from the CIS by the end of 2024. However, it will keep some agreements related to economy, social protection, and healthcare.

Associate Member

A country can also be an associate member if the main leaders of the CIS agree.

Country	Signed Agreement	Charter Ratified	Associate from	Notes
Turkmenistan	21 December 1991	Not ratified	August 2005	Founding state. Turkmenistan has never been a full member. It became an associate member to match its neutral status.

Founding State (Not a Full Member)

Ukraine was one of the first countries to sign the agreement creating the CIS. However, Ukraine never officially ratified the CIS Charter. This means it was a "Founding state" but never a full "member."

Country	Signed Agreement	Charter Ratified	Notes
Ukraine	8 December 1991	Not ratified	Founding state. Ukraine largely stopped participating in 2014. It formally ended its participation in CIS bodies in May 2018. Ukraine has been withdrawing from various CIS treaties since then.

Representatives from Ukraine, Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and other states at a CIS Summit in Moscow in June 2000.

Ukraine participated in the CIS for many years. But after conflicts with Russia starting in 2014, Ukraine began to distance itself. In April 2018, Ukraine's President said the country would formally leave the CIS. By May 2018, Ukraine officially ended its participation in CIS bodies. Ukraine has continued to withdraw from many CIS agreements.

Former Member States

Country	Signed Agreement	Charter Ratified	Withdrawn	Effective	Notes
Georgia	3 December 1993	19 April 1994	18 August 2008	18 August 2009	Georgia left the CIS after a conflict with Russia in 2008.

How the CIS Works: Politics and Cooperation

Leaders of CIS countries meeting in Bishkek in 2008.

Human Rights Efforts

One of the CIS's goals is to discuss social and economic development. This includes promoting human rights. In 1995, the CIS adopted a Convention on Human Rights. It also created a Human Rights Commission. However, many experts say that human rights in some CIS countries, especially in Central Asia, still face big challenges.

Military Cooperation

Members of the Council of Ministers of Defense meeting in Moscow in 2017.

The CIS has a Council of Ministers of Defense. This group helps coordinate military cooperation among countries that want to participate. In 1992, six CIS countries signed the Collective Security Treaty. This treaty created a military alliance. In 2002, this alliance became the Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO). The CSTO aims to help resolve conflicts between its members. However, some conflicts, like those involving Russia and Ukraine, have shown that the CSTO has not always been effective in this role.

Economy and Trade in the CIS

Corruption and too much bureaucracy can be problems for trade in CIS countries. Some leaders have suggested using digital tools to modernize their economies.

Trade Agreements

The CIS countries have worked to create free trade areas. This means they try to remove taxes and other barriers on goods traded between them.

Early Free Trade Agreements

Countries that signed the 1994 CIS free trade agreement.

In 1994, 12 CIS countries signed an agreement to create a Free Trade Area. This agreement helped set up many bilateral (two-country) trade deals. In 1999, a new agreement was signed to make trade multilateral, meaning it applied to many countries at once. This helped remove more trade barriers.

The 2011 Free Trade Area Treaty

A stamp from 2011 celebrating 20 years of the CIS.

Countries that signed and ratified the 2011 CIS Free Trade Agreement.

In 2011, a new and more detailed free trade agreement was signed by eight CIS prime ministers. These countries were Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, and Ukraine. Uzbekistan later joined in 2013. This agreement removes many import and export taxes. Azerbaijan is the only full CIS member not part of this free trade area.

Free Trade in Services Agreement (2023)

In June 2023, seven CIS countries signed an agreement for free trade in services. This means it will be easier for businesses to offer services and invest in each other's countries. The countries are Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.

Social Development in CIS Countries

Studies show that many people in CIS countries face social challenges. For example, the number of people who feel poor is often higher than official poverty rates. Unemployment benefits also vary greatly between countries. In some places, very few unemployed people receive benefits.

Average monthly salaries in 2015 were quite low in many CIS countries. For example, in Tajikistan, it was $142, and in Ukraine, it was $193. In Russia and Kazakhstan, it was around $560-$565. A large part of these salaries is often spent on food.

Other Activities of the CIS

Election Monitoring

The CIS has an Election Monitoring Organisation. It was formed in 2002 to observe elections in CIS member countries. However, this group has sometimes approved elections that other international observers criticized. For example, in 2004, the CIS questioned the Ukrainian presidential election, while other groups found no major problems. In 2005, the CIS praised elections in Uzbekistan and Tajikistan that other observers said did not meet international standards.

Russian Language Status

Russia has asked that the Russian language be made an official language in all CIS countries. Currently, Russian is an official language in Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan. It is also used officially in some regions of Moldova.

Sports Events

When the Soviet Union broke up in 1991, its sports teams were still set to compete in 1992 events. A joint "Unified Team" from the CIS countries competed in the 1992 Winter Olympics and 1992 Summer Olympics. A CIS football team also played in the UEFA Euro 1992.

Since then, the CIS has hosted its own sports events. In 2017, a festival of national sports and games was held in Ulyanovsk, Russia. The first official CIS Games took place in Kazan in 2021. The second games were held in Belarus in 2023.

Cultural Events

The CIS also helps promote cultural ties between former Soviet republics. In 2006, they created a foundation to support education, science, and culture. This foundation has helped organize many cultural events. One example is the 'CIS Capital of Culture' program. In 2017, Goris, Armenia, was the CIS Cultural Capital. In 2022, it was Karakol, Kyrgyzstan.

Population of CIS Countries

The total population of all CIS member states is about 246.2 million people as of 2024.

Largest cities or towns in Commonwealth of Independent States Russia , Uzbekistan , Azerbaijan , Kazakhstan , Belarus , Tajikistan , Kyrgyzstan
Rank		Pop.
1	Moscow	13,149,803
2	Saint Petersburg	5,597,763
3	Tashkent	3,075,232
4	Baku	2,300,500
5	Almaty	2,275,541
6	Minsk	1,992,862
7	Novosibirsk	1,633,851
8	Dushanbe	1,564,700
9	Yekaterinburg	1,536,183
10	Astana	1,502,102

Life Expectancy in CIS Countries

Here is the average life expectancy at birth in CIS countries in 2021, according to the World Bank Group:

Countries	2021				Historical data									COVID-19 impact
Countries	All	Male	Female	Sex gap	2000	2000 →2014	2014	2014 →2019	2019	2019 →2020	2020	2020 →2021	2021	2019 →2021	2014 →2021
Belarus	72.37	67.30	77.70	10.40	68.91	4.06	72.97	1.26	74.23	−1.77	72.46	−0.09	72.37	−1.86	−0.60
Armenia	72.04	66.55	77.35	10.80	70.62	3.43	74.06	1.38	75.44	−3.27	72.17	−0.13	72.04	−3.40	−2.02
Kyrgyzstan	71.90	67.90	76.10	8.20	68.56	1.84	70.40	1.20	71.60	0.20	71.80	0.10	71.90	0.30	1.50
Tajikistan	71.59	69.57	73.73	4.17	63.26	5.81	69.07	1.80	70.87	−2.87	67.99	3.60	71.59	0.73	2.52
Uzbekistan	70.86	68.33	73.39	5.06	65.72	4.51	70.23	1.11	71.34	−1.01	70.33	0.53	70.86	−0.48	0.63
Kazakhstan	70.23	66.33	74.03	7.70	65.45	5.99	71.44	1.74	73.18	−1.81	71.37	−1.14	70.23	−2.95	−1.21
Azerbaijan	69.37	65.65	73.29	7.64	64.89	6.22	71.12	1.99	73.10	−6.23	66.87	2.50	69.37	−3.74	−1.75
Russia	69.36	64.21	74.77	10.56	65.48	5.26	70.74	2.34	73.08	−1.75	71.34	−1.98	69.36	−3.72	−1.38
Turkmenistan	69.26	65.86	72.66	6.80	65.03	3.59	68.61	0.39	69.00	−0.31	68.69	0.58	69.26	0.26	0.65
Moldova	68.85	64.44	73.55	9.10	66.42	2.61	69.03	1.90	70.94	−0.77	70.17	−1.32	68.85	−2.09	−0.19