INTERNATIONAL CIS SCHOOL FEEDING FORUM OPENS IN DUSHANBE

21.11.2025 318

The Forum has brought together over 300 participants from the Ministries of Health and Education of CIS member states, international organizations such as the UN World Food Programme, school catering operators, parents, and industry analysts.

The International CIS School Feeding Forum has opened in Dushanbe, immediately establishing itself as a key platform for making the case for greater investment in the health of the next generation.

This year’s forum is held under the theme “School Feeding as Investment in Healthy Generation,” with a strong emphasis on developing a comprehensive and sustainable approach to school meals.

The event has brought together more than 300 participants, including delegations from the Ministries of Health and Education of CIS member states, representatives of international organizations such as the UN World Food Programme, school catering operators, parent associations, and industry analysts.

Official delegations include representatives of the CIS Executive Committee, led by Denis Trefilov, as well as participants from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Russia.

The Russian delegation includes:

●Semyon Grigoryev, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to the Republic of Tajikistan

●Tatiana Butskaya, First Deputy Chairperson of the State Duma Committee on Family Protection, Fatherhood, Motherhood, and Childhood of the Russian Federation

●Alexey Shlyonov, Deputy Director of the Department for Digital Transformation and Priority Projects

●Vladimir Chernigov, President of the Social and Industrial Foodservice Institute

Over the next three days, the Forum participants will engage in an intensive programme: presentations on national school feeding models, discussions on current challenges, reviews of quality standards, and exchanges of practical experience.

High-quality school meals: shared priority for Russia and Tajikistan

A productive dialogue on school feeding took place between Russian and Tajik parliamentarians in Dushanbe as part of the International CIS School Feeding Forum.

A constructive dialogue on strengthening school feeding systems took place in Dushanbe between Russian and Tajik parliamentarians as part of the International CIS School Feeding Forum.

The discussion brought together delegations led by Tatiana Butskaya (State Duma of the Russian Federation) and Ilhom Kamolzoda (Parliament of Tajikistan), who addressed key issues with a focus on advancing school feeding systems in both countries.

The meeting was enriched by expert contributions from Vladimir Chernigov, President of the Social and Industrial Foodservice Institute (SIFI), which acts as the CIS Basic Organization for School Feeding.

Badriddin Muzaffarzoda, Deputy Minister of Education and Science of Tajikistan, also shared insights into the implementation of Tajikistan’s National School Feeding Programme.

The parties agreed on prospective formats and mechanisms for further inter-parliamentary collaboration between the two countries.