1 September 2026

Tourism, culture, media cooperation. Kyrgyzstan hosts 35th CIS Information Council meeting

Heads of state news agencies from CIS countries gathered in Kyrgyzstan for the 35th meeting of the CIS Information Council. The main topics of the meeting were the development of tourism, humanitarian cooperation, and joint media work of the CIS states, BelTA learned from the CIS Executive Committee press service.

Participants noted that information agencies could play a significant role in promoting the tourism potential of CIS countries. This applies not only to popular destinations but also to new routes, specific opportunities for travelers, and holiday conditions. “The diversity of tourism forms allows almost any demand to be met across the CIS, but it is not always easy for citizens to navigate and make the right choice due to a lack of necessary information. There is also high demand for objective information about new tourist routes, real opportunities, and holiday conditions,” said CIS Information Council Chairman and TASS Director General Andrei Kondrashov.

According to him, the development of domestic tourism is important not only for the economy. Travel helps people learn more about the history, culture, and modern life of neighboring states, thereby contributing to the strengthening of friendly ties between peoples. State news agencies, Andrei Kondrashov believes, can make a significant contribution to tourism education, telling audiences about landmarks, routes, and holiday opportunities using both traditional and modern formats. Of particular interest is the development of joint tourist routes. In particular, participants discussed the Central Asian Tourism Ring initiative. According to the TASS head, other well-known routes of the CIS countries could eventually be included in the common tourism chain.

Speaking about practical tools for promoting tourism, participants noted the demand for press tours, thematic seminars, photo exhibitions, and special media projects. Professional experience exchange between information agencies also remains an important area.

Kyrgyzstan invites guests to the Nomad Games

The hosts paid special attention to the upcoming 6th World Nomad Games, whose official opening will take place on 31 August in Bishkek. Kabar News Agency Director General Mederbek Shermetaliev stressed that the Games are not only a major sporting event but also an important cultural platform. “The Nomad Games are not just sports competitions. They are a unique international sporting and cultural event that unites peoples from different countries around the rich heritage of nomadic civilization,” he said.

According to him, national traditions and cultures of different peoples will be showcased during the Games. At the same time, sporting competition becomes an additional opportunity for communication and rapprochement. “People speaking different languages, with different traditions and cultures, meet on one platform. But despite the differences, they are united by common values: respect for history, family, nature, human dignity, fair competition, and the guest,” Mederbek Shermetaliev said.

Participants of the meeting were able to see Kyrgyzstan’s preparations for the Nomad Games. They visited competition venues in Cholpon-Ata on the shores of Lake Issyk-Kul, which will host athletes, fans, and tourists from nearly 100 countries throughout the week.

For the heads of news agencies, the trip was another opportunity to assess the tourism potential of Kyrgyzstan and the CIS countries as a whole. Picturesque nature, cultural heritage, and modern sports facilities are coming together these days on one big international platform. And it is the media that will tell the wider audience about it.

From tourism to new media projects

The humanitarian dimension became another important area of the meeting. According to Mederbek Shermetaliev, regular meetings of heads of information agencies allow not only for professional experience exchange but also for identifying new areas of joint work. “Our common task is to promote ties between our countries, including humanitarian ones,” the head of Kabar said.

Participants also supported the practice of holding educational seminars for journalists and photojournalists from CIS countries at TASS, covering topics such as artificial intelligence, modern media technologies, and information security. Special attention will be paid to expanding cooperation on tourism, including through the use of the ANIA website.

Thus, the 35th CIS Information Council meeting became a platform not only for discussing pressing issues in the information industry but also for seeking new forms of interaction. Tourism, culture, modern media technologies, and humanitarian ties are increasingly becoming areas where joint media work can yield practical results.

The CIS Information Council was established in 1995. It is chaired by TASS Director General Andrei Kondrashov. The Council includes the heads of state news services from Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, and Tajikistan. Representatives of state news agencies from Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan, as well as the CIS Executive Committee, also participate in the meetings. The Council’s main tasks include developing cooperation among CIS states in the information sector, creating conditions for effective information dissemination and professional experience exchange, and strengthening media partnerships between CIS countries.

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