The President of Uzbekistan put forward a number of important initiatives to further expand practical cooperation within UNESCO

On October 30, the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev took part in the opening ceremony of the 43rd session of the General Conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), taking place in the city of Samarkand.

The head of our state warmly welcomed the forum participants to the hospitable Uzbek land - the crossroads of cultures and civilizations. He expressed deep gratitude to the President of Serbia Aleksandar Vučić, the President of Slovakia Peter Pellegrini, the Director-General of UNESCO Audrey Azoulay, heads of government of foreign countries, representatives of international and regional organizations, as well as all delegations for participating in the conference.

At the beginning of his speech, the President emphasized that the current session is being held outside the headquarters for the first time in 40 years UNESCO in the city of Paris.

– We perceive the holding of such a representative forum in Samarkand as a manifestation of the high confidence of the Organization’s member states in the large-scale accelerated reforms being carried out in New Uzbekistan, said the head of state.

The Leader of Uzbekistan noted that the Organization over the years of its 80-year activity has become an authoritative global institution, promoting global cooperation in the fields of education, science, culture and information, as well as strengthening trust and solidarity.

In this context, the growing role of UNESCO in preserving the national identity of peoples, their cultural heritage, and strengthening close dialogue between different religions is emphasized.

– It is deeply symbolic that our forum is being held in Samarkand, a city that has gone down in human history as a center of humanistic ideas, invaluable knowledge and intercivilizational dialogue, said the leader of the country.

The head of state recalled the great heritage of Samarkand as the cradle of science, literature and culture. In particular, he mentioned the observatory of Mirzo Ulugbek, where the famous star table was created, which became the basis for the discoveries of Copernicus and Kepler. The President urged the guests to feel the atmosphere of Samarkand - the pearl of the Great Silk Road, the land of peace and friendship of peoples.

It was noted that geopolitical tensions and military conflicts damage unique monuments and cultural heritage, and the gap in access to knowledge and digital technologies increases global inequality.

The head of Uzbekistan emphasized, that in such difficult circumstances, strengthening solidarity in order to achieve UNESCO's core missions is of particular importance. Uzbekistan reaffirmed its commitment to the noble goals of the organization and its readiness to serve as a bridge between the East

and the West, North and South, presenting an open platform for constructive cooperation.

Today our country is implementing a five-year cooperation program with UNESCO until 2027. Within its framework, large-scale events were held dedicated to the anniversaries of great thinkers and figures - Abu Raikhan Beruni, Ahmad Fergani, Amir Temur, Ali Kushchi, Kamoliddin Bekhzod, as well as memorial dates of scientific institutions, such as the Khorezm Mamun Academy, and literary monuments, including the epic "Alpomish".

Monuments along the Zarafshan-Karakum corridor have been added to the World Heritage cities of Khiva, Bukhara, Shakhrisabz and Samarkand. The natural territories of the Western Tien Shan and the Turan deserts reflect the unique biodiversity of the region.

The President recalled that about twenty elements of the intangible heritage of Uzbekistan have received UNESCO recognition - among them “Shashmakom”, Katta Ashula, the “Lazgi” dance, askiya art, miniature painting, the Navruz holiday, the traditions of producing atlas and adras. Under the auspices of the Organization, festivals of “Sharq Taronalari”, maqom arts, bakhshi, folk crafts and ethnic sports are held.

Particular attention is paid to resolutions put forward at the initiative of Uzbekistan, including the “Khiva Process: Promoting International Cooperation in Central Asia”, “Tashkent Declaration on Early Childhood Care and Education” and “Tashkent Declaration on Access to Information.”

UNESCO departments and partner schools operate in the country, and Tashkent and Fergana are included in the Global Network of Learning Cities. Also, based on modern technologies and international standards, hundreds of cultural heritage sites were restored.

The President said that additional events were being held within the framework of the Samarkand conference: the Biennale of Contemporary Art in Bukhara, the opening of the Regional Center for the Development of Preschool Education in Tashkent, the ceremony of awarding the UNESCO-Uzbekistan International Prize named after Abu Rayhan Beruni, as well as a conference on the use of artificial intelligence in the museum field. Uzbekistan will also join the Global Convention on the Recognition of Qualifications in Higher Education.

Next, the leader of our country made a number of proposals and initiatives aimed at developing key areas of UNESCO's activities.

The development of inclusive education and the use of artificial intelligence technologies have been declared an absolute priority. The President proposed creating a UNESCO Platform for the development of inclusive education for children with special needs and holding a World Vocational Education Summit. Uzbekistan is ready to implement the pilot project “Artificial Intelligence – School” and organize the International Forum of Experts on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence under the auspices of UNESCO.

The leader of Uzbekistan also spoke out for the preservation of intangible cultural heritage. Interest was expressed in the development of the UNESCO Memory of the World Program, established with the aim of protecting and ensuring accessibility of unique heritage objects, such as oral folk art, manuscripts, archives and valuable historical documents, cultural information.

An initiative has been put forward to declare November 19 as International Documentary Heritage Day, as well as to create an International Institute for Digital Heritage within UNESCO.

The Head of State proposed holding the International Congress on Crafts and Folk Art in Bukhara in 2027 within the framework of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network.

In order to promote gender equality and develop the leadership competencies of women, the President advocated the creation of the UNESCO Academy for Women's Leadership and the holding of the Global Forum of Women in Education, Culture and Science in Samarkand featuring renowned researchers, artists, educators and innovators from every continent.

An effective joint fight against the climate crisis is also identified as a pressing issue.

The head of state emphasized the negative impact of climate change on cultural heritage and proposed establishing the international initiative “UNESCO Environmental Capital”, as well as developing a resolution of the UNESCO Executive Board on the preservation of cultural heritage in the context of globalization and climate change. Uzbekistan has expressed its readiness to hold an international symposium on this topic in Khiva.

Countering the spread of false information in the virtual space, protecting public opinion and combating discrimination are also named among the priorities. The President proposed holding an International Festival of Children's Cultural Content and developing a UNESCO Comprehensive Strategy for the Development of Media Literacy.

The Head of State also noted the importance of strengthening interreligious harmony, countering radicalism and Islamophobia, glorifying Islamic culture and education throughout the world: “It is important to widely promote such universal ideas as tolerance, mutual understanding and agreement."

He proposed to actively use the potential of unique projects in Uzbekistan - the Center for Islamic Civilization and the research centers of Imam Bukhari, Imam Maturudi, Imam Termezi and Bahauddin Naqshband.

Summarizing the results of his speech, the President of Uzbekistan expressed confidence that the forum will be an important step in establishing new areas of cooperation, strengthening mutual trust, global partnership and promotion of sustainable development.

It was noted that the “Samarkand Spirit”, based on the eternal traditions and values of UNESCO, will inspire further cooperation in the name of common progress.

In conclusion, the leader of our country wished the conference participants successful and fruitful work, emphasizing the symbolism of holding the forum in Samarkand, a city that embodies peace, friendship and mutual understanding of peoples, which confirms the high international authority of Uzbekistan and its contribution to the development of the dialogue of civilizations, strengthening mutual understanding and preserving the cultural heritage of mankind.

At the end of the opening ceremony, a concert was held, prepared by domestic and foreign masters of art. The best examples of Uzbek classical music and world musical heritage in their modern reinterpretation, performed by a symphony orchestra, choir and national ensemble, were heard from the stage.

Official website of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan