Within the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), 118 basic organizations of the CIS member states have been established in various areas and fields of cooperation. Detailed information on these organizations is provided in the List of Basic Organizations of the Member States of the Commonwealth of Independent States (attached).
In accordance with decisions of the Council of Heads of Government of the CIS (CHG), the Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the CIS (CMAFA) and the Economic Council of the CIS (EC), the status of a basic organization, basic research institution or basic training center of the CIS member states has been granted to 114 institutions.
At present, the Belarusian National Technical University, the Academy of Law Enforcement Agencies under the General Prosecutor's Office of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the RUDN University, and the Military Educational and Scientific Center of the Air Force "N.E. Zhukovsky and Y.A. Gagarin Air Force Academy" in Voronezh, under the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation, each have the status of two basic organizations.
The relevant decisions were adopted as follows: one decision each in 1997, 1999, 2000 and 2001; two in 2003; one in 2004; six in 2005; two in 2006; six in 2007; one in 2008; three in 2009; two in 2010; three in 2011; five in 2012; five in 2013; eleven in 2014; five in 2015; five in 2016; three in 2017; seven in 2018; seven in 2019; six in 2020; four in 2021; four in 2022; seven in 2023; seventeen in 2024; and four in 2025.
Proposals concerning the granting of basic organization status were submitted for consideration by the CHG, CMAFA and EC by the following entities:
the Russian Federation: 11;
the Republic of Belarus: 5;
CIS sectoral cooperation bodies: 98;
the CIS Executive Committee: 4.
Following the adoption of the relevant decisions by the CHG, CMAFA and EC, all CIS member states participate in the activities of basic organizations. In particular:
the Republic of Armenia, the Republic of Belarus and the Russian Federation participate in all 118;
the Kyrgyz Republic and the Republic of Tajikistan participate in 117;
the Republic of Kazakhstan participates in 111;
the Republic of Uzbekistan participates in 58;
the Republic of Moldova participates in 6;
Ukraine participates in 5;
the Republic of Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan participate in 2.
Basic organizations operate in seven CIS member states, including:
Russian Federation: 94;
Republic of Belarus: 14;
Republic of Kazakhstan: 4;
Republic of Tajikistan: 3;
Republic of Armenia: 1;
Republic of Uzbekistan: 1;
Ukraine: 1.
By area of activity, the organizations operate as follows:
Economic sector: 42;
Security sector: 28;
Humanitarian sector: 44;
Legal sector: 3;
Information sector: 1.
Pursuant to the Decision of the Council of Heads of Government of the CIS on the termination of decisions of the Council of Heads of Government of the CIS, adopted under the procedure established by the Rules of Procedure of the CIS highest bodies, six decisions granting basic organization status ceased to have effect on 4 March 2021.
Under this decision, three basic organizations of the CIS member states ceased their activities in the following areas:
distance and electronic learning;
licensing, certification and accreditation of educational institutions;
standardization in education.
Three other basic organizations continue to operate under decisions adopted subsequently:
training, retraining and advanced professional development in labor standards;
training and retraining of personnel for tax and financial investigation bodies, with the field of activity subsequently amended to include higher education and additional professional education programs;
training of metrology specialists for the armed forces.
As part of the inventory of the CIS legal and regulatory framework conducted in 2023–2024, procedures were undertaken concerning the recognition of the founding documents of six basic organizations as no longer valid.
Following the liquidation, on 29 July 2017, of the State Scientific Institution "State Research Institute for System Analysis of the Accounts Chamber of the Russian Federation", which had held basic organization status for research in the field of public and international financial control, efforts were undertaken to identify another institution within the CIS capable of continuing these functions. These efforts were unsuccessful.
Following a meeting of the expert group held on 11 July 2024 to coordinate draft documents concerning the termination of international treaties and decisions of the CIS highest bodies, the decision granting basic organization status to the above-mentioned institution was included in the proposed list of decisions of the Council of Heads of Government of the CIS whose validity had been terminated.
At its meeting on 29 November 2024, the Economic Council of the CIS adopted a decision terminating a number of its previous decisions. The decision granting basic organization status in the field of public and international financial control was included in the relevant list.
Work on formally terminating the decision granting this status is ongoing.
Similar procedures are being carried out in relation to several other organizations whose original institutions have ceased operating, including organizations responsible for information security, information and communication technologies, transport development, taxation, and adult education.
In the field of information and communication technologies, the basic organization formerly represented by the National Infocommunications Holding "Zerde" of the Republic of Kazakhstan ceased to operate following its liquidation on 5 August 2022. A new basic organization was subsequently designated by the Economic Council of the CIS: the Center for Digital Support of Digital Government under the Ministry of Digital Development, Innovation and Aerospace Industry of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
Thus, the relevant basic organization continues its activities through another Kazakh institution, while procedures concerning the termination of the former founding document remain ongoing.
The International Academy of Transport, which had been granted basic organization status in the field of scientific and technical support for the development of the transport sector, has effectively ceased operating as a basic organization. Procedures for terminating the relevant decision are continuing.
The National University of the State Tax Service of Ukraine, which was granted basic organization status jointly with the Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation in the field of training, professional retraining and advanced professional development of personnel in taxation, has not provided information concerning its activities as a basic organization. The relevant CIS coordinating body was asked to review the situation, and work on the matter is continuing.
The institutional arrangements for the basic organization responsible for adult education and educational outreach have also been revised. Following a series of reorganizations within the Russian Academy of Education, the relevant basic organization status was transferred to the Institute for the Development of Vocational Education under the Ministry of Education of the Russian Federation. The relevant draft decision of the CIS Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs was submitted to the CIS Executive Committee for consideration in accordance with the established procedure.
Accordingly, 114 of the 118 basic organizations currently operate de facto within the CIS framework.
The activities of basic organizations are carried out in accordance with regulations approved by decisions of the CHG, CMAFA and EC.
The principal areas of activity include:
training, retraining and advanced professional development of specialists from CIS member states in various fields of cooperation;
joint scientific research conducted by interested CIS member states;
development of recommendations for harmonizing and unifying regulatory frameworks and preparation of relevant draft documents;
exchange of regulatory and legal acts;
organization of international scientific and practical conferences, seminars and symposia;
preparation of scientific, methodological, informational and analytical materials and publications.
Basic organizations are headed by the heads of the institutions to which the relevant status has been granted.
Advisory bodies, including public councils consisting of representatives of educational, research and other organizations recommended by the governing bodies of CIS member states, may be established within basic organizations. Regulations, working procedures and work plans for such councils are approved by the heads of the respective basic organizations. Other advisory bodies and working groups may also be established.
The activities of basic organizations are generally financed through:
payments for work and services performed under contracts and agreements;
fees for training, retraining and advanced professional development;
information services;
publishing activities;
voluntary contributions and donations from legal entities and individuals in the form of financial or material resources, work and services supporting joint educational, research and cultural programs and individual activities;
funding from international and national foundations;
other sources not prohibited by the legislation of the host country.
Basic organizations operate in cooperation with CIS sectoral cooperation bodies and other CIS institutions, the governing bodies of member states and the CIS Executive Committee.
During the reporting period of 2025, matters concerning the establishment and operation of basic organizations were considered at three meetings of the Commission on Economic Affairs under the Economic Council of the CIS, two meetings of the Economic Council of the CIS and one meeting of the Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the CIS.
At the meeting of the Commission on Economic Affairs held on 22 January 2025, the establishment of a basic organization responsible for advanced professional development and retraining in the field of quality control of genetic materials, veterinary medicinal products and food raw materials of animal origin was considered.
It was decided to approve the granting of basic organization status to the All-Russian State Center for Quality and Standardization of Veterinary Medicines and Feed and to submit the relevant draft decision to the Economic Council of the CIS.
At the meeting of the Commission on Economic Affairs held on 15 April, two matters were considered:
amendments to the Economic Council decision of 8 December 2023 concerning a basic organization responsible for the development of national nuclear infrastructure;
establishment of a basic organization for advanced professional development and retraining of personnel in the baking industry.
It was decided to support the transfer of basic organization status in the field of national nuclear infrastructure to Rosatom International Network, a private institution of the Russian Federation, and to approve the relevant draft decision.
It was also decided to grant basic organization status in the field of professional development and retraining in the baking industry to the Research Institute of the Baking Industry, Russian Federation.
At the meeting of the Economic Council held on 29 April, basic organization status was granted to the All-Russian State Center for Quality and Standardization of Veterinary Medicines and Feed.
At the meeting of the Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs held on 11 April, the following matters were considered:
a basic organization responsible for educational and scientific activities in the field of information security of the armed forces;
a basic organization responsible for school nutrition.
Basic organization status was granted respectively to:
The Krasnodar Higher Military School named after General S.M. Shtemenko, Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation;
The Institute of Industrial Nutrition.
At the meeting of the Commission on Economic Affairs held on 15 June, proposals concerning basic organizations in the fields of adult and pediatric traumatology and orthopedics were considered.
It was proposed to grant basic organization status in adult traumatology and orthopedics to the N.N. Priorov National Medical Research Center for Traumatology and Orthopedics of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation.
For pediatric traumatology and orthopedics, it was proposed to grant the status to the G.I. Turner National Medical Research Center for Pediatric Traumatology and Orthopedics of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation.
At the meeting of the Economic Council on 18 July, amendments were made to the decision of 8 December 2023 concerning the basic organization responsible for national nuclear infrastructure.
The Economic Council also granted the Research Institute of the Baking Industry basic organization status in the field of professional development and retraining of personnel in the baking industry.
The organization was tasked with supporting professional development and retraining of specialists in baking, as well as developing, testing and disseminating educational, methodological and research materials in the field.
During the reporting period of 2025, activities of existing basic organizations were considered at four meetings of the Commission on Economic Affairs.
The activities of the Kurchatov Institute National Research Center, the basic organization responsible for developing "megascience" research infrastructure, were approved. The organization was recommended to continue developing megascience infrastructure, particularly in synchrotron and neutron research, and to develop training and professional development programs for scientists and specialists involved in the creation and operation of such infrastructure.
The activities of the Russian Customs Academy, the basic organization responsible for training personnel for customs services, were also approved. The organization was recommended to continue training qualified customs personnel, reviewing the CIS international legal framework in the customs sector, expanding cooperation with educational and research institutions, organizing international scientific conferences and seminars, and preparing scientific and analytical publications.
The activities of the Belarusian State Technological University, the CIS basic organization in forestry and the forest industry, were approved.
The university was recommended to:
prepare an analytical report on the development of cooperation among CIS member states in the forest industry;
participate actively in implementing cooperation plans through 2035;
prepare proposals for measures to prevent and combat illegal timber trafficking;
develop joint research programs in forestry education;
focus on areas including climate change, unmanned aerial systems, digitalization, artificial intelligence and information systems;
participate in CIS sectoral cooperation meetings to exchange experience with organizations operating in related fields.
The activities of the basic organization represented by the National Research University "Moscow Power Engineering Institute" (MPEI) in the field of training, retraining and advanced professional development of personnel in the electric power sector were approved.
The organization was recommended to continue training engineering and scientific personnel, develop joint educational programs and double-degree programs with CIS universities, strengthen cooperation with relevant CIS bodies and basic organizations, and develop the CIS International Scientific and Educational Center for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency.
The activities of the Russian State Agrarian University, Moscow Timiryazev Agricultural Academy, as the basic organization for training and professional development in agricultural education, were also approved.
The university was recommended to continue supporting CIS member states with qualified specialists in agricultural education, promote the exchange of teaching practices and develop modern educational methodologies.
The activities of the Kazakh Research and Design Institute of Construction and Architecture in the field of earthquake-resistant construction were approved. The organization was recommended to strengthen cooperation in earthquake-resistant construction, conduct joint research and experimental testing, improve relevant regulatory frameworks, organize professional development programs and hold international conferences and seminars.
At the meeting of the Commission on Economic Affairs on 25 June, the activities of the National University of Science and Technology MISIS in training and professional development for the mining and metallurgical sector, advanced materials science and industrial waste recycling were approved.
The university was recommended to prepare an analytical report on the use of artificial intelligence in industrial applications, participate in the digital transformation of the mining and metallurgical sector, and strengthen cooperation with basic organizations in related fields.
The activities of the All-Russian Research Institute for Records Management and Archival Science were also approved. The organization was recommended to continue retraining and professional development of specialists in archival science, records management and administrative documentation, develop archival information systems, prepare standards and methodological recommendations, and organize conferences and seminars.
CIS sectoral cooperation bodies continuously monitor the activities of basic organizations.
The number of issues concerning basic organizations considered by CIS sectoral cooperation bodies was:
2017: 20;
2018: 18;
2019: 35;
2020: 20;
2021: 34;
2022: 21;
2023: 34;
2024: 35;
2025: 6.
Issues concerning the establishment of basic organizations were considered at two meetings of two CIS sectoral cooperation bodies.
The Council of Commanders of the Border Troops considered proposals to grant basic organization status to the Institute of the Border Service of the Republic of Belarus and the Border Research Center of the Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation.
The Interstate Council for Standardization, Metrology and Certification approved a draft regulation concerning a basic organization in the field of quality improvement, business excellence and professional competencies in quality management. It also supported granting basic organization status to the Russian Quality System.
Activities of previously established basic organizations were reviewed at four meetings of four CIS sectoral cooperation bodies.
Among other activities, the Council of Heads of Security and Special Services of the CIS member states considered a joint analytical document prepared by the Russian Federal Security Service Research Center, a CIS basic organization responsible for research into countering terrorism and other forms of extremism.
The CIS Council for Tourism reviewed the activities of the Silk Road International University of Tourism and Cultural Heritage, a basic organization in the field of tourism. The university was encouraged to develop joint training, retraining and professional development programs with educational institutions of CIS member states.
The CIS Council on Industrial Policy reviewed information concerning the activities of basic organizations in 2024–2025 and their work plans for 2025–2026. Basic organizations were encouraged to strengthen analytical cooperation, promote their activities through information resources and involve relevant organizations and other basic organizations in CIS-related events.
The CIS Council for Youth Affairs reviewed the activities and work plans of basic organizations responsible for youth volunteering, youth policy, youth entrepreneurship and youth work.
Particular attention was given to the work of RTU MIREA in developing a glossary of terms related to youth policy in the CIS. The university also conducted professional development courses on youth work and international youth cooperation.
The Council recommended that basic organizations make greater use of their institutional capacity to analyze cooperation among CIS member states and prepare proposals for further development.
A number of significant events connected with the activities of CIS basic organizations were held during the reporting period.
In Yekaterinburg, during the XXI International Scientific and Practical Conference "Kovalev Readings", a round table entitled "Professionalization of Judicial Representation: International Experience" was organized by the Federal Chamber of Lawyers of the Russian Federation, the CIS basic organization in the field of advocacy.
The event brought together representatives of legal professional communities from Armenia, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, Russia and Uzbekistan, as well as representatives of justice ministries, the Economic Court of the CIS and the CIS Executive Committee.
At the Moscow State Linguistic University, the CIS basic organization for languages and cultures, a presentation of the collection of fairy tales Legends of the Stone Giants was held on 13 February to mark the 25th anniversary of the organization's establishment.
The collection brings together fairy tales from CIS member states around the common theme of mountains. The stories were published both in Russian and in their original languages, including Azerbaijani, Armenian, Belarusian, Georgian, Chinese, Kazakh, Kyrgyz, Tajik and Uzbek.
As part of preparations for the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War, methodological recommendations were developed for educational institutions across the CIS concerning lessons and educational activities dedicated to the anniversary.
The recommendations were prepared by the Institute of Eurasian and Interregional Studies of the Russian State University for the Humanities, the CIS basic organization for training specialists in historical education.
On 26 February, the Russian State University for the Humanities hosted the International Scientific and Practical Conference "Scientific Aspects of Comprehensive Security", bringing together more than 60 representatives of government authorities and educational organizations, as well as the CIS Anti-Terrorism Center.
The conference addressed social security, environmental and technological safety, protection of critical infrastructure, and countering extremist and terrorist ideologies.
The Border Academy of the Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation, a CIS basic organization in the field of training and professional development of senior border-service personnel, conducted professional development programs for border service officers from CIS member states.
The Belarusian Chamber of Notaries, the CIS basic organization in the field of notarial activities, conducted a webinar on inheritance law and the legal treatment of digital assets. Representatives of notarial communities from Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan participated.
The Russian State Library, the CIS basic organization for cooperation in librarianship, hosted the "Book Train 2025" and the "Book Lighthouses of Russia" festival. The events included discussions on literature related to the Great Victory, the transformation of the publishing sector and the future of books and libraries.
Russian university students also developed and tested an unmanned aerial vehicle with an adaptive wing capable of changing its configuration during flight. The project demonstrated high maneuverability, reduced structural weight and an endurance of up to 5.5 hours.
The Moscow State Linguistic University hosted the International Scientific and Practical Conference "Basic Organizations of the CIS Member States in the Humanitarian Sphere: Best Practices and Prospects for Cooperation", dedicated to the 25th anniversary of the university's status as a CIS basic organization.
During the conference, it was noted that over 25 years the organization had conducted 157 major international forums and conferences and signed cooperation agreements with 46 universities in CIS member states. Joint educational projects continue to develop, including language and culture centers.
The Russian State University of Justice hosted the International Discussion Forum "Electronic Format of Judicial Proceedings", which addressed digitalization of courts, online hearings, electronic case files, electronic evidence and the use of artificial intelligence in judicial activities.
In May, the Belarusian State Technological University, a CIS basic organization in forestry and the forest industry, hosted the IV International Youth Environmental Education Forum of the Union State. More than 50 students and lecturers from 15 universities of Belarus and Russia participated.
The State Institute of the Russian Language named after A.S. Pushkin, the CIS basic organization for teaching Russian, hosted the V Kostomarov Forum in May. The forum addressed Russian language policy, modern Russian studies, teaching Russian as a foreign language, interdisciplinary research, artificial intelligence and the development of professional competencies.
The RUDN University hosted the II International Scientific and Practical Conference "The Contribution of Universities to the Development of an Inclusive Culture in Society", bringing together representatives of government bodies, universities, research institutions, academic organizations, civil society and students from CIS countries.
The Moscow State University of Geodesy and Cartography, the CIS basic organization for training specialists in geodesy, cartography, cadastre and remote sensing, hosted the International Exhibition and Forum "Spatial Data. MIIGAiK: Territory of Innovation".
In June, the Russian Federal Security Service Research Center, together with the CIS Interparliamentary Assembly and the Russian State University for the Humanities, organized a round table on research into the degradation of individuals influenced by extremist and terrorist ideology.
The participants discussed approaches to countering radicalization, rehabilitation and social adaptation, as well as improvements to national legislation and international legal instruments.
From 4 to 6 June, the International Scientific and Practical Conference "The Real Virtual: Documentary Heritage in the Digital Age" was held in Moscow. The conference focused on preserving, digitizing and making documentary heritage accessible in the digital era.
On 10 June, CIS Secretary General Sergei Lebedev visited Moscow State Linguistic University, the CIS basic organization for languages and cultures. The visit focused on the further development of the organization, which marked its 25th anniversary in 2025.
Particular attention was paid to language education and cooperation among universities of the CIS member states. The university currently provides education in eight languages of the CIS countries and implements educational projects aimed at strengthening intercultural and interlingual cooperation.
On 17 June, an off-site meeting of the Council of Permanent Plenipotentiary Representatives of CIS member states was held at the Resource Center "EcoTechnoPark – Volma", operated by the Republican Institute of Vocational Education of Belarus, a CIS basic organization in the field of vocational and secondary specialized education.
Participants examined the center's educational, technological and innovation potential and its role in supporting economic development.
On 18 June, the CIS Secretary General met with representatives of the Kurchatov Institute National Research Center, the CIS basic organization responsible for megascience research infrastructure. The meeting focused on cooperation among the academies of sciences of CIS member states.
On 25 June, Moscow State Linguistic University hosted a speech-training master class for students as part of its cooperation with the CIS Executive Committee. The event focused on practical communication skills and working with professional texts.
On 12 July, as part of Youth Day at the XXXIV International Festival of Arts "Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk", a dialogue platform entitled "The Time of CIS Youth" was held.
The event presented international youth projects implemented by CIS basic organizations, including professional development programs, youth entrepreneurship initiatives, volunteer programs, youth cyber sports competitions and international youth cooperation projects.
RTU MIREA presented its professional development courses "Youth Work in the CIS" and "International Youth Cooperation", with applications accepted until 30 September 2025.
The Center for Support of Young Specialists, a CIS basic organization in the field of youth entrepreneurship, presented its program for developing youth entrepreneurship across the CIS.
The organization Dobro.rf, the CIS basic organization for developing volunteerism, presented opportunities for consulting support, educational internships, international volunteer missions and youth volunteering initiatives.
The Republican Institute of Higher Education of Belarus, the CIS basic organization for scientific and methodological support of youth volunteering, presented its electronic methodological resources, successful practices marathon, international online youth volunteer camp and training programs for volunteers and professionals working with volunteers in educational institutions.
According to information provided by CIS sectoral cooperation bodies, the overwhelming majority of basic organizations operate effectively and make a significant contribution to developing and strengthening cooperation among CIS member states in various fields.
The activities of these organizations cover a broad range of areas, including:
higher and vocational education;
professional training and retraining;
scientific research;
digital transformation and information technologies;
artificial intelligence;
energy and nuclear infrastructure;
industrial development;
environmental protection;
forestry and agriculture;
transport;
security and border management;
law enforcement and judicial education;
language and cultural cooperation;
youth policy and entrepreneurship;
libraries, archives and preservation of cultural heritage.
The CIS basic organization system therefore serves as an institutional mechanism for strengthening academic, scientific, educational and professional cooperation among the member states. Through universities, research institutions, professional organizations and specialized centers, these organizations support joint education and research, exchange expertise, develop common methodological approaches and facilitate international cooperation.
Organizational Department
CIS Executive Committee
Detailed information is available on the official CIS Internet portal.
