CIS basic organizations active in culture, tourism, and youth work have put forward recommendations aimed at strengthening cooperation, addressing common challenges, and deepening integration across the Commonwealth.
Recommendations emerged from two events: an International Round Table titled “Preserving and Promoting Cultural Heritage across the Commonwealth of Independent States” (April 16, 2026, in Minsk) and a platform session at the National History and Culture Museum-Reserve “Niasvizh” (April 17, 2026, in Nesvizh). Participants discussed the role of CIS basic organizations in enhancing cooperation among specialized institutions within the Commonwealth.
The discussion brought together representatives from:
- National History and Culture Museum-Reserve “Niasvizh” (Nesvizh, Belarus);
- National Institute for Higher Education (Minsk, Belarus);
- Likhachev Russian Research Institute for Cultural and Natural Heritage (Moscow, Russia);
- Gnesin Russian Academy of Music (Moscow, Russia);
- S. A. Gerasimov All-Russian University of Cinematography (Moscow, Russia);
- MIREA - Russian Technological University (Moscow, Russia);
- Ayni Opera and Ballet Theatre (Dushanbe, Tajikistan);
- “Silk Road” International University of Tourism and Cultural Heritage (Samarkand, Uzbekistan);
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation and Permanent Mission of the Russian Federation to the CIS Statutory and Other bodies;
- and the CIS Executive Committee.
Representatives of the CIS basic organizations stressed that it makes sense to actively use their potential to engage young people – the most emotionally responsive audience – in preserving and promoting cultural heritage.
They also proposed integrating humanitarian principles into curricula for the professional training of future specialists, especially those working in culture.
The meeting addressed the CIS Sectoral Cooperation Bodies in the humanitarian field and outlined several lines of action:
- Assistance in preserving, developing and promoting cross-border and transnational cultural, natural and historical sites and routes, as well as support for preparing and promoting for the UNESCO World Heritage List the joint cross-border nomination of Russia and Belarus “Memorials to the Heroes of the Great Patriotic War: Brest Fortress and Mamayev Kurgan” as a significant site for preserving historical memory of the Soviet peoples’ feat in fighting Nazism;
- Promoting “VDNKh in Moscow (Exhibition of Achievements of National Economy)” as a unique ensemble of Soviet architecture and urban planning, with a view to its inscription on the UNESCO World Heritage list;
- Noted the importance of cooperation among CIS restoration schools, and therefore called for the support of the participation of international representatives in the International Scientific and Practical Symposium on Studying and Preserving Material Cultural Heritage;
- Pointed on the positive outcomes of the scientific reconstruction of the lost monument “Nuriddin Basir Mausoleum” in Samarkand, and recommended sharing this experience among interested organizations;
- Highlighted the potential of integrating authentic museum objects with contemporary exhibition and demonstration formats, which can become a part of modern public life;
- While encouraging the growth of cultural tourism, participants stressed the need to take appropriate measures to preserve cultural sites;
- Supported the creation of advanced professional training programs for CIS specialist: “World Heritage as International System for Preserving and Promoting Cultural and Historical Sites” at Likhachev Russian Research Institute for Cultural and Natural Heritage and “Youth work” at MIREA - Russian Technological University;
- Recommended expanding volunteer expeditions to work on cultural and historical sites across CIS countries.
The round table participants decided to help attract university students of relevant majors to the digitization of cultural and historical heritage objects (creating digital versions of museum collections, producing digital content, etc.). They also endorsed a possible partnership between MIREA - Russian Technological University and the Niasvizh Museum-Reserve aimed at implementing the “Digital Advancement of the Niasvizh Museum-Reserve” Concept.
Representatives of the CIS basic organizations expressed interest in putting the “Nesvizh Initiative” on a permanent footing. They proposed holding a meeting of CIS basic organizations every two years on the premises of these organizations, focusing on culture, tourism, and youth work.