CIS Foreign Ministers Discuss Strengthening Cooperation and Approve Joint Programs in Dushanbe

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — Uzbekistan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bakhtiyor Saidov, took part in the meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Commonwealth of Independent ss (CIS), held on 8 October in Dushanbe (Tajikistan).

“Together with my colleagues, we discussed a wide range of issues related to the further development of multilateral cooperation within the CIS, as well as the strengthening of interaction in political, economic, humanitarian, and other areas,” the head of Uzbekistan’s foreign policy department wrote on his Telegram channel.

Following the meeting, the Council approved several draft documents that will be submitted for consideration by the CIS Council of Heads of States.

According to the CIS Executive Committee, the agenda included 15 items. During the session, ministers exchanged views on current international issues and cooperation among CIS member states.

The ministers approved the Main Activities of Cooperation among CIS Member States in the Field of Culture for 2026–2028. The report on this issue was presented by Matlubakhon Sattoriyon, Minister of Culture of Tajikistan and Chair of the CIS Council for Cultural Cooperation. The new three-year plan includes 138 initiatives aimed at preserving historical and cultural heritage, developing museum and library work, supporting theater, music, and film industries, and training specialists in the cultural sector. The program also provides for joint festivals, competitions, conferences, and professional exchanges. The document will be submitted for approval to the CIS Council of Heads of Government.

The Council of Foreign Ministers also approved the Plan of Multilevel Inter-Ministerial Consultations within the CIS for 2026. It covers coordination of member states’ positions at the United Nations, cooperation with international organizations, foreign policy planning, responses to new challenges and threats, arms control, and collaboration in culture, science, education, sports, tourism, youth policy, and economic diplomacy.

In addition, the participants endorsed several documents to be presented for review by the CIS Council of Heads of States on 10 October. Among them are the Program of Cooperation in Combating Terrorism and Extremism for 2026–2028, the Concept of Military Cooperation until 2030, the First Optional Protocol to the 1998 Convention on the Transfer of Convicted Persons, as well as draft joint statements on combating transnational crime, commemorating the 80th anniversary of the United Nations, and marking the 40th anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster.

The foreign ministers also agreed on a draft decision to designate the CIS Youth Capitals for 2027 and 2028, which is planned to be approved in 2026 at the meeting of the CIS Council of Heads of Government in Ashgabat.

Furthermore, the ministers approved draft decisions to terminate a number of previously concluded multilateral agreements within the CIS framework.

The next meeting of the CIS Council of Foreign Ministers is scheduled to take place on 17 April 2026, in Kaliningrad.