Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- In his report at the CIS summit, President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev put forward an initiative to hold an annual "Health Marathon" in the Commonwealth countries, the purpose of which is to involve broad strata of the population in the CIS space in the formation of healthy lifestyle values life. According to the World Health Organization, health is not only the absence of disease and physical defects, but also a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being.

The “Health Marathon” is especially relevant in the context of the coronavirus pandemic, while the health care structures of the CIS countries are faced with the need to improve systems for the prevention of diseases and maintaining the health of the population.

Today the Commonwealth has sufficient conditions for the practical implementation of this initiative. For example, the Council for Physical Culture and Sports, the Interstate Fund for Humanitarian Cooperation of the CIS member states function.

It should be emphasized that the "Health Marathon" is a practical step in the implementation of the tasks set in the "Strategy for the development of cooperation between the member states of the Commonwealth of Independent States in the field of physical culture and sports for 2021-2030", adopted this year during the presidency of Uzbekistan in Commonwealth.

The Health Marathon envisages the solution of the following issues.

First, an increase in the number of citizens of the CIS member states involved in physical culture and sports and leading a healthy lifestyle, as well as holding events aimed at the development of mass, children and youth sports, strengthening international sports ties.

Secondly, the creation and implementation of a system for the formation of a healthy and safe lifestyle, which ensures the formation of a socially active, morally stable, mentally and physically healthy person, the formation of a value attitude to one's health.

Thirdly, the establishment of the values of physical culture and a healthy lifestyle, an increase in the interest of citizens in sports, the organization of promotion of physical culture and sports, the dissemination of social advertising and, on the basis of this, the formation of a healthy lifestyle.

It is also necessary to note the cooperative nature of the initiative, covering vast territories and many participants and events. Integration of sports with various fields of activity (culture, education, science, healthcare, media, etc.).

The initiative to hold the CIS health marathon involves various events both in the field of physical culture and sports, and in the field of public health and ecology. The very concept of the initiative reflects the humanitarian nature of a large-scale and multipurpose event.

In addition, the implementation of the proposal stipulates the opening of discussion platforms of a scientific and educational nature with the involvement of specialists from various fields of science, education, and healthcare. Such an approach will undoubtedly serve to strengthen the potential of sports ties and create conditions for the development of such contacts.

The Health Marathon will contribute to the generalization and dissemination of programs for the formation of a healthy lifestyle in the CIS countries, especially for young people and socially vulnerable groups of the population, the organization of joint research work in this area, the formation and expansion of health infrastructure in the Commonwealth countries. Will assist in accelerating the systematic holding of CIS tournaments in team sports, cycling, running; scientific and practical events for the exchange of experience in the implementation of national programs to promote healthy lifestyles; holding competitions in national sports in the CIS countries, etc.

Today, in the CIS space, there is a search for new integration directions and forms of cooperation, and the initiative to hold an annual “CIS Health Marathon” in the Commonwealth countries can become an example of the formation of a common space and a basis for discussing various humanitarian, social and economic issues.

In addition, an effective solution to many humanitarian problems is possible only with a joint and comprehensive approach to them. The promotion of the Health Marathon initiative serves the purposes of developing and strengthening international cooperation in addressing the issues facing the CIS countries to protect the health of the population and educate a healthy young generation.

Dilorom Mamatkulova,

Leading researcher at ISMI