13–18 October 2026 • Republic of Tajikistan
Sustainable Tourism and
Cultural Heritage
2026
An international forum held during Mehrgon — the ancient festival of harvest and abundance, inscribed on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
International University of Tourism and Entrepreneurship of Tajikistan
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6
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14
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3
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A platform for cultural dialogue and sustainable tourism development
Sustainable Tourism and Cultural Heritage
International University of Tourism and Entrepreneurship of Tajikistan
The International Forum "Sustainable Tourism and Cultural Heritage" will be held as a scientific and practical, cultural and exhibition and tourism platform bringing together representatives of government authorities, international organizations, scientific and educational institutions, tourism companies, entrepreneurs, investors, and experts from various countries.
With its ancient history, unique nature, rare historical and cultural monuments, rich folk traditions, and culture of hospitality, the Republic of Tajikistan has broad opportunities for the development of sustainable, cultural, ethnographic, ecological, and gastronomic tourism.
Mehrgon is a festival of harvest, abundance, productive labor, and appreciation of nature's bounty. This ancient celebration embodies agricultural traditions, folk crafts, national cuisine and the Tajik culture of hospitality.
Holding the Forum during Mehrgon will provide foreign guests with an opportunity, alongside participation in scientific and practical events, to become closely acquainted with the harvest festival, agricultural products, national cuisine, folk crafts, and the historical and cultural diversity of the regions of Tajikistan.
In 2024, the Mehrgon festival was inscribed on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity
Events across Tajikistan
Tajik, Russian and English
Objective
To strengthen international cooperation in the development of sustainable tourism and the preservation and promotion of cultural heritage; to present Mehrgon as a harvest festival and a unique cultural phenomenon; and to foster scientific, cultural, entrepreneurial and investment cooperation.
Mehrgon — the heart of the Forum
Mehrgon is a festival of harvest, abundance, productive labor, and appreciation of nature's bounty. This ancient celebration embodies agricultural traditions, folk crafts, national cuisine and the Tajik culture of hospitality.
- In 2024, the Mehrgon festival was inscribed on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity
Events across Tajikistan
- Dushanbe
- Tursunzoda
- Hisor
- Norak
- Khujand
- Danghara
- Darvoz
Key tasks of the Forum
01
International promotion of Mehrgon and its historical and cultural values
02
Review of current trends and modern models for sustainable tourism development
03
Development of cultural, ethnographic, agricultural and gastronomic tourism
04
Exchange of international experience in the preservation of cultural heritage
05
The role of sustainable agriculture in ensuring food security
06
Promotion of local products, national cuisine, and folk crafts
07
Financial and investment mechanisms and the legal framework for tourism
08
Support for entrepreneurship and innovative initiatives in tourism
09
Digital technologies and AI in the preservation of cultural heritage
10
Expansion of international, scientific and academic cooperation
Main thematic areas of the Forum
Preservation and sustainable use of cultural heritage
Mehrgon, sustainable agriculture, food security and gastronomic tourism
Historical, cultural, ethnographic, ecological and sports tourism
Financial mechanisms, investment, and entrepreneurship in tourism
Legal and institutional aspects of tourism development
Digitalization, artificial intelligence and innovation
Intercultural relations and international cooperation
What awaits participants
The Forum will include an opening session, international conferences and symposiums, a scientific and tourism expedition, cultural and gastronomic festivals and exhibitions, presentations of agricultural products and folk crafts, tourism routes, cultural programs, international student olympiads, and international tourism sports competitions.
Opening ceremony
International conferences and symposiums
Scientific and tourism expedition
Cultural and gastronomic festivals
Exhibitions and product presentations
Tourism routes
Student olympiads
World Championship in tourism sports
What the Forum will deliver
Strengthening international cooperation in tourism and culture
Practical recommendations on sustainable tourism and sustainable agriculture
Promotion of Mehrgon as a cultural and tourism brand of Tajikistan
New cultural and gastronomic tourism routes and products
Expansion of scientific, entrepreneurial and investment ties
Promotion of local products, national cuisine and folk crafts
Enhancing the image of Tajikistan as a country with rich cultural heritage
Who we invite
Representatives of government authorities, the diplomatic corps, international organizations, scientific and educational institutions, tourism companies, banks, entrepreneurs, investors, experts, artisans, producers of local products, researchers, students, and the mass media will be invited to participate in the Forum.
Join the Forum
Registration is open. We look forward to welcoming you to Tajikistan during the Mehrgon celebrations.
13–18 October 2026 • Republic of Tajikistan
International University of Tourism and Entrepreneurship of Tajikistan
Working languages of the Forum: Tajik, Russian and English
Supported by the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Ministry of Finance
Ministry of Education and Science
Ministry of Industry and New Technologies
Ministry of Economic Development and Trade
Ministry of Culture
State Committee on Investments and State Property Management
Committee for Environmental Protection
Committee for Tourism Development
Committee for Youth and Sports
Committee on Television and Radio
Agency for Innovation and Digital Technologies
Agency for Supervision in Education and Science
Civil Aviation Agency
Customs Service
Executive Authority of Dushanbe City
Executive Authority of Khatlon Region
Executive Authority of Sughd Region
National Library of Tajikistan
National Museum of Tajikistan
Forum Partners
National Bank of Tajikistan
Academy of Sciences of Tajikistan
Amonatbank
Sanoatsodirobank
National Library of Tajikistan
UI GreenMetric
OSCE
WOG
Aarhus Centres
National Museum of Tajikistan
Oriyonbank
Funded by the European Union
Asian Development Bank
NIAT Khovar
Hilton Dushanbe
Dushanbe Serena Hotel
THE RUMI HOTEL
Forum Organizing Committee
State Institution "International University of Tourism and Entrepreneurship of Tajikistan", in cooperation with government ministries and agencies and development partners.