In today’s world, where borders are blurring and international connections are strengthening, the issue of a language of communication is of special significance. For Russia and the entire post-Soviet space,  Russian has traditionally functioned as the main language of communication. It is not just a means of transmitting information, but also a powerful tool for integration, cultural exchange, and economic cooperation.

Historically, the role of the Russian language was shaped within a unified state, first the Russian Empire and then the Soviet Union. In the USSR, it gained its official status as the language of interethnic communication. This meant that Russian was used for official paperwork, in higher education, scientific literature, as well as for the creation of works of art. It served as a bridge connecting more than a hundred nations with their unique cultures and traditions, allowing them to understand each other and build a shared future. Over the decades, a unique situation emerged: millions of people for whom Russian was not their native language became fluent in it, making it their second first language.

After the collapse of the USSR, the Russian language has retained its significance in the vast Eurasian space. It remains the official or working language in influential international organizations such as the CIS, the EAEU, and the CSTO. Russian is one of the six official languages of the United Nations, which confirms its global status. Proficiency in Russian provides direct access to a vast reservoir of world culture, from the classics of Tolstoy and Dostoevsky to the scientific works of Russian scholars.

The practical value of the Russian language is particularly evident in the fields of economics and labor migration. For millions of people who come to work in Russia from Central Asia and other regions, their knowledge of Russian is a key factor for their successful adaptation, finding decent employment, and building the effective communication. Additionally, it serves as a lingua franca in trade and business between the countries that maintain economic and cultural ties with Russia.

Thus, the Russian language continues to serve as an essential means of interethnic dialogue. It promotes mutual understanding, strengthens good-neighborly relations, and serves as a foundation for the joint development of states and peoples. Preserving and enhancing this potential is an important task that aligns with the interests of all those who speak Russian and value it as an integral part of the global cultural heritage.

The main historical event of 2023, proclaimed the Year of the Russian Language as a Language of Interethnic Communication in the Commonwealth, was the establishment of the International Organization for the Russian Language. The creation of this interstate structure was initiated by President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. The Commonwealth states leaders signed the Treaty (in Russian) on October 13.

 At the same summit, the Heads of State adopted the Statement on the Support and Promotion of the Russian language as a Language of Interethnic Communication (in Russian). The document emphasizes the role of the Russian language as one of the official languages of the United Nations, states the importance of preserving the linguistic and historical and cultural heritage of the CIS countries, and prohibits discrimination based on the language spoken. The Russian language remains the foundation of joint educational, scientific, and cultural projects, contributing to the friendship among nations, the development of trade and economic cooperation, student mobility, and cross-boarder employment in the Commonwealth countries.