In February 1994, the CIS Interparliamentary Assembly announced a competition to design the official symbols of the Commonwealth - its flag and emblem. A key requirement was that the designs should not resemble the state heraldry of the Member Nations or the symbols of other international organizations. The new symbols were intended to reflect the ideas of equal partnership, unity, peace, and stability.

More than 100 designs were submitted as part of the competition. The works were exhibited in the Ekaterininskiy hall of the Tavricheskiy Palace during the Assembly session on 18 March 1994. The heads of state cast their votes in favor of the design created by St. Petersburg artist Alexander Grigoriev.

On 19 January 1996, the regulations governing the emblem of the Commonwealth were approved. The emblem is based on a blue circle featuring a white figure composed of vertical lines, with a golden circle at the center. The blue-and-white color scheme symbolizes purity of intentions, spirituality, and nobility, while the golden circle represents warmth, light, and the enduring values of the peoples of the CIS.

Today, the emblem and flag of the Commonwealth are used at events of the CIS Interparliamentary Assembly and other CIS bodies.