The XI International Cultural and Educational Forum “Children of the Commonwealth” opened June 15 at the Shohin children’s resort in the city of Guliston in northern Tajikistan, bringing together young participants from across the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).

The forum, which runs through June 24, is being hosted by Tajikistan on the initiative of the Chairman of the National Assembly of the Supreme Assembly of Tajikistan and Mayor of Dushanbe, Rustam Emomali, and the Secretariat of the Inter-Parliamentary Assembly of the CIS member states.

Delegations from Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan are taking part in the event.

More than 30 educational, cultural and recreational activities are scheduled, including intellectual Olympiads, meetings with prominent athletes, master classes, hiking excursions, sports competitions and other interactive programs.

Participants will also learn about the history, culture and national traditions of the participating countries, promoting intercultural dialogue and mutual understanding among young people.

As part of the program, the forum will continue in Dushanbe through June 23, where participants will visit cultural institutions and the Parliament of Tajikistan.

Organizers said the forum aims to strengthen friendship, cooperation and cultural ties among the younger generation of CIS countries.

The “Children of the Commonwealth” forum has been held annually since 2013 in various CIS countries, including Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Uzbekistan and Belarus. Tajikistan is hosting the event for the first time in 2026.