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From November 20 to 22, 2025, the CIS School Feeding Forum was held in Dushanbe, focusing on ensuring high-quality, safe, and balanced nutrition in educational institutions across member states. The event brought together representatives of профильные ministries, international organizations, experts, and specialists working in education and public health.

As emphasized by the organizers, the topic of school meal provision in educational institutions across the Commonwealth is highly relevant and of strong interest to the ministries of health and education of CIS countries, which are actively working to ensure safe, nutritious, and balanced meals for students. During the Forum, representatives of sectoral ministries presented their national experiences and proposed avenues for cooperation in this area across the CIS region.

A key supporting role is played by the World Food Programme, which provides practical and technical assistance for the development of school feeding systems. The World Food Programme supports the modernization of school canteen and kitchen infrastructure, helps build human resource capacity, promotes modern approaches to procurement and menu planning, and facilitates the exchange of best practices among countries.

The Kyrgyz Republic was represented by a delegation including officials from the Ministry of Education of the Kyrgyz Republic, the Ministry of Health of the Kyrgyz Republic, and specialists from organizations working in the field of school nutrition. The Kyrgyz Republic is one of the countries where the World Food Programme has supported the improvement of school feeding for many years, including infrastructure upgrades, the introduction of hot meals, and the development of local implementation mechanisms.

During the Forum, the Kyrgyz delegation presented the national experience in developing the school feeding system, expanding students’ access to hot meals, improving food safety, and enhancing the nutritional value of school menus. Particular attention was given to joint initiatives with the World Food Programme and the practical outcomes of this cooperation.

The Kyrgyz Republic views participation in the Forum as an important opportunity to exchange experience, strengthen cooperation with CIS countries and international partners, and develop modern solutions aimed at further advancing high-quality and sustainable school feeding systems in the region.

On November 5, 2025, the Republican final of the “Best School Cook — 2025” competition took place at the Republican Competence Center of Kyrgyz State Technical University named after I. Razzakov.

The event was organized with the support of the Ministry of Education of the Kyrgyz Republic, the World Food Programme, and the CIS базовая organization on student nutrition — the Institute of Sectoral Nutrition (SIFI).

According to Zarina Toktobolotova, project coordinator of the Institute of Sectoral Nutrition in Kyrgyzstan, seven of the country’s best school cooks—representing all regions—competed in the final. Each participant passed a rigorous selection process and brought an original hot dish recipe specially developed for the school menu.

Key requirements for the dishes:

• cost per portion not exceeding 30 KGS;
• use of locally sourced products;
• mandatory inclusion of vegetables or fruits.

The final round consisted of three main stages: a creative presentation, a test of knowledge of sanitary standards, and a demonstration of practical cooking skills. Participants presented their dishes, explained the concept behind their recipes, and described the cooking technology. The jury evaluated taste, presentation, and the justification for including the dish in a school menu.

Winners of the competition:

• 1st place — Altynai Zharmatova, cook of the A. Toraliev Secondary School (Batken Region);
• 2nd place — Sairakan Mambetalieva, cook of School No. 64 (Bishkek);
• 3rd place — Lunara Saadabekova, cook of the S. Duishenbiev School (Talas Region).

The winners received certificates for purchasing kitchen equipment:

• 50,000 KGS for first place;
• 30,000 KGS for second place;
• 20,000 KGS for third place.

The remaining finalists were awarded commemorative gifts and certificates of recognition.

This initiative aims to strengthen the professional community of school cooks, improve the quality of school meals, and disseminate best practices across the country.

The Republican Competence Center took part in the ceremonial events dedicated to World Food Day, organized by the World Food Programme and the Food and Agriculture Organization in cooperation with the Ministry of Water Resources, Agriculture and Processing Industry of the Kyrgyz Republic.

The celebration took place on October 18 at the Kyrgyz National Academic Drama Theatre and served as an important platform for sharing experience, inspiration, and promoting the ideas of sustainable agriculture.

The Republican Competence Center warmly congratulates the organizers and all participants on the successful celebration. May joint efforts continue to strengthen food security and support the development of rural regions across the country.

In June–August 2025, the RCC, together with the UN World Food Program, awarded diplomas to 30 students of the Chui boarding School. The training took place according to the programs "Culinary skills" and "Confectionery skills". The participants successfully completed 320 hours of advanced training courses and received the qualifications of "Culinary chef of the III category" and "Pastry chef of the III category". This initiative is aimed at developing the professional skills of students and expanding their opportunities for further employment.