Year of Healthcare Protection in Commonwealth Became Main Topic of 60th Plenary Session of IPA CIS

The 60^th plenary session of the Interparliamentary Assembly of Member Nations of the Commonwealth of Independent States took place in Saint Petersburg. The participants discussed development of healthcare systems, harmonization of legislation and joint initiatives in the social sphere.

The meeting was opened by Speaker of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, Chairperson of the IPA CIS Council Valentina Matvienko. The session was attended by heads of parliaments and parliamentary delegations of Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, representatives of Armenia and Turkmenistan, Secretary General of the IPA CIS Council Dmitriy Kobitskiy, Deputy Secretary General of the CIS Nurlan Seitimov, ministers of healthcare, MPs, experts and representatives of international organizations.

Welcoming remarks were also delivered by Secretary General of the Parliamentary Assembly of Turkic States Ramil Gasan, Secretary General of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Nurlan Yermekbayev, Regional Director for Europe of the World Health Organization Hans Kluge and Head of Regional Representation of International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies in the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus Frank Morhauer.

Valentina Matvienko stressed that healthcare remains one of the key areas of the IPA CIS activities. According to her, the Assembly has already developed more than 50 documents related to social guarantees and healthcare. She noted that special attention is currently paid to the Model Law on Pharmaceutical Provision in CIS Member Nations and emphasized importance of coordinated healthcare policy during the Year of Healthcare Protection in the Commonwealth.

Speaker of the Milli Majlis of the Republic of Azerbaijan Sahiba Gafarova stated that the IPA CIS remains an important platform for discussing issues of mutual interest for Commonwealth countries and highlighted significance of joint sustainable development initiatives.

Speaker of the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus Natalya Kochanova spoke about development of the Belarusian healthcare system and noted that Belarus aims to increase life expectancy and strengthen preventive medicine.

Speaker of the Senate of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan Maulen Ashimbayev emphasized importance of joint work on model legislation in the field of human rights protection and reported on preparation of the Model Law on Countering Domestic Violence.

Speaker of the Jogorku Kenesh of the Kyrgyz Republic Marlen Mamataliyev underlined the role of parliamentary diplomacy in maintaining dialogue and finding compromises amid global transformations.

Speaker of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan Tanzila Narbayeva informed participants about modernization of the healthcare system and development of telemedicine within the framework of the "Uzbekistan - 2030" Strategy. She proposed drafting a model document on mutual recognition of medical documents and protection of personal data.

Minister of Healthcare of the Russian Federation Mikhail Murashko stated that around 880 cooperation agreements are currently in force between healthcare, scientific and educational institutions of CIS Member Nations. According to him, the Commonwealth countries share common approaches to healthcare organization and sanitary-epidemiological safety.

The participants also discussed events dedicated to the 80^th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War. Valentina Matvienko announced publication of archival collections "Republics to Frontline 1941-1945", devoted to contribution of Soviet peoples to Victory.

Following the plenary session, the IPA CIS adopted 13 model documents, including the Model Laws on Platform Employment, on Countering Domestic Violence and on Strategic Planning. MPs also approved a new version of the Model Land Code for CIS Member Nations, as well as revised Model Laws on Status of Human Rights Commissioner and on Protection of Children from Information Harmful to Their Health and Development.