On February 12, the first meeting of the Organizing Committee for the III CIS Games, established by the Decree of the President of Azerbaijan dated July 10, 2024, to be held in Azerbaijan in 2025, took place. The meeting, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Organizing Committee Samir Sharifov, involved a thorough discussion of issues related to the preparation for the Games.

During the meeting, it was noted that the III CIS Games will be organized in 23 sports and will take place in Ganja, the “Sports Capital of the Commonwealth of Independent States in 2025,” as well as in six other cities of Azerbaijan from September 28 to October 8. Competitions will be held in eight sports in Ganja, four in Mingachevir, four in Gabala, three in Sheki, two in Goygol, one in Yevlakh, and one in Khankendi.

In addition to sports teams from CIS countries, athletes from several other countries are also expected to participate in the Games at the invitation of the Azerbaijani Government.

The meeting featured comprehensive presentations on the preparation of sports facilities, transportation and logistics issues, accommodation for participants, volunteer engagement, the accreditation process, media coverage of the games, and preparations for the opening and closing ceremonies. Specific tasks were assigned, and concrete responsibilities were outlined to ensure the implementation of the Action Plan for the III CIS Games set forth by the President of Azerbaijan. Coordination between institutions was emphasized to facilitate the successful execution of the plan.

In conclusion, Chairman of the Organizing Committee Samir Sharifov highlighted Azerbaijan’s experience in hosting numerous prestigious international events, including the First European Games, the Islamic Solidarity Games, and other major events, under the initiative of President Ilham Aliyev. He stressed the necessity of mobilizing efforts to ensure the III CIS Games are also conducted with professionalism and excellence.