Roundtable on Prospects of Model Lawmaking of IPA CIS held in St. Petersburg

On 21 May 2025, a round table on "Prospects of model lawmaking of the Interparliamentary Assembly of the Member Nations of the Commonwealth of Independent States. Dialogue and Solutions" was held within the framework of the XIII St. Petersburg International Legal Forum.

The meeting was attended by representatives of legislative, executive and judicial authorities of the CIS countries, legal industry experts, representatives of international organizations and analysts. The event was timed to coincide with the 30^th anniversary of the signing of the Convention on the Establishment of the CIS Interparliamentary Assembly and became a platform for a comprehensive analysis of the experience of model lawmaking, as well as discussion of proposals for further strengthening of the legal integration in the region.

In his address to the participants Secretary General of the IPA CIS Council Dmitriy Kobitskiy noted that the model legislation is advisory in nature and does not limit the sovereignty of the CIS countries.

"It provides an opportunity to ensure truly harmonious development in the Commonwealth space. This explains its significant relevance in the legal systems of the Member States," the Secretary General said.

The current geopolitical realities, the globalization of legal relations, and the transformation of integration interests pose new challenges for model lawmaking, which require new solutions, the Secretary General believes.

"How should we respond to these challenges, and how to preserve and expand the role of the IPA CIS lawmaking activity, its relevance - and not only in the Commonwealth countries, what forms and directions it is advisable to update - these are the issues to be discussed today", Dmitriy Kobitskiy said and wished the participants an interesting and fruitful discussion.

The speakers' presentations sparked an active and lively discussion. Participants expressed different points of view, arguments and comments on the issues discussed. The conclusions and suggestions resulting from the roundtable will form the basis for further actions to strengthen regional cooperation and support sustainable legal integration in the CIS countries.