The 13th CIS Scientific and Artistic Forum has opened in the city of Astana. A delegation of Turkmenistan is taking part in the annual event entitled “Dialogue among the CIS member nations – Prospects for Humanitarian Cooperation in the 21st Century”. Organized with the assistance of the CIS Interstate Fund for Humanitarian Cooperation, the forum is attended by prominent cultural figures, scientists, educators, senior officials of state institutions, international and public organizations, and media representatives. The National Museum of the Republic of Kazakhstan provided the venue for this year’s forum, which has brought together 200-plus delegates from Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, the Russian Federation, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. Arranged ahead of the forum, an exhibition illustrates the history, cultural identity and present-day achievements of the people of Kazakhstan, city plans and the development of Astana, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary throughout 2018. On display are unique exhibits and archeological treasures, works of art, and photographs of the winners of the Stars of the Commonwealth Interstate Award. Opening ceremony attendees noted that the forum serves as a meeting ground for representatives of cultural, scientific and academic circles of the CIS to maintain professional contacts and support ongoing projects in the humanitarian field. Face-to-face exchanges of views help to generate new ideas and put forward concrete proposals (which have been discussed on several occasions at the CIS Council of Heads of State and the CIS Council of Heads of Government level). President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev highlighted in his Welcoming Address to the forum delegates: “Our common goal is to draw up long-term strategies and identify key aspects for humanitarian cooperation among the CIS member states through accumulated experience and dialogue. The forum is designed to make its contribution to the promotion of peace and good neighborly relations across the CIS.” Special Presidential Envoy for International Cultural Cooperation, Co-Chair of the CIS Interstate Fund for Humanitarian Cooperation Michail Shvydkoy read out President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin’s Address to the forum participants. It stated that the forum, which has been for years a highly important humanitarian event in the CIS, has proved its effectiveness. In his speech the Russian leader expressed confidence that the proposals and initiatives presented at the forum would accelerate the integration processes in the CIS, promote friendship and mutual understanding between the nations of our countries. Chairman of the CIS Interstate Fund for Humanitarian Cooperation Polad Byulbyulogly highlighted the forum’s positive character as a unique mechanism for advancing progressive ideas and encouraging cross-national dialogue. Offering insights into the joint projects and programs, undertaken and completed in all areas of humanitarian cooperation, Polad Byulbyulogly laid particular stress on the role of the scientific and artistic circles in strengthening productive contacts between the countries. The festive celebration to mark the opening of the forum was topped with the Stars of the Commonwealth Interstate Award ceremony. Instituted by the CIS Council for Humanitarian Cooperation and the CIS Interstate Fund for Humanitarian Cooperation in 2008, the award is presented annually for a big contribution and achievements in science, culture, art, and humanitarian activities. Participants in a plenary meeting were given a presentation on “Brest, the Republic of Belarus – the 2019 CIS Capital of Culture.” A workshop entitled “Cross-cultural dialogue in the CIS – new horizons for culture, science, and education” was held in the afternoon to discuss possible ways to enhance humanitarian cooperation among our countries. Speakers at the workshop noted that the application of up-to-date technologies and the development of the global information and communications environment help to rapidly transform global social and political processes, to create effective instruments for cooperation among countries, groups and individuals. A report presented by our delegation indicated that scientific research work in our country is systematically supported by the government. International humanitarian cooperation involves close contacts in the following areas: culture, art, science, education, mass media, youth exchanges, publishing, museology, library science, archive and record-keeping, sport, and tourism. The forum delegates shared an opinion that modern forms of humanitarian cooperation are urgently needed today more than ever. In this context, the establishment of direct research and education networks, promotion of youth partnership and student research projects, and others have come increasingly to the fore. Common efforts to preserve and study national heritage, tangible and intangible cultural treasures, national identity of the CIS member nations are at the heart of cooperation.