Speech by the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev at the opening ceremony of the international tourist center "Arda Khiva" in the city of Khiva

(May 1, 2025, Khiva)

Dear compatriots, dear residents Khorezm!

Dear guests!

I am very glad to meet you today on this fertile land, where the inextricable connection between our glorious history and New Uzbekistan is clearly felt - in ancient Khorezm.

Khorezm is truly the pearl of the East, it contributed invaluable contribution to the development of world civilization and culture. This ancient region is the homeland of world-famous scientists and thinkers, generals and rulers, theologians, talented poets and hafiz.

Such great personalities as the luminaries of science and education Muhammad al-Khwarizmi, Abu Raikhan Beruni, Pakhlavon Mahmud, Ogahi, symbols of patriotism Najmiddin Kubro and Jaloliddin Manguberds are the pride of our people.

According to the world's leading scientists, the great innovator Beruni was 500 or more years ahead of his era in a number of decisive areas of science, which indicates the colossal potential of this land.

Khorezm has another priceless wealth - its majestic historical monuments. This also confirms that the open-air city-museum complex “Ichan-Kala” is included by UNESCO in the World Cultural Heritage List.

Please note that in the region there are more than 260 objects that are part of the universal treasury. Their history goes back centuries. Undoubtedly, they, having such a beautiful, unique architectural appearance, are “living” witnesses of history, which determines the unique place not only of Uzbekistan, but also of the entire Central Asia in world development.

Dear compatriots!

Today, in order to build a New Uzbekistan, we resolutely continue the path of transformation and renewal.

Of course, within the framework of the reforms we have begun, it is no coincidence that we pay special attention to the development of tourism, which contributes to the strengthening of peace and friendship, as a separate strategic directions.

After all, tourism is not only travel and meaningful leisure. First of all, tourism as a mirror reflects the connection between different peoples and human hearts, the rich cultural and historical heritage of our hardworking and tolerant people, their hospitality and openness to the world.

We are implementing large-scale reforms to preserve historical monuments, cultural heritage sites, and actively include them in the global tourism network.

Along with Thus, using the methods of national architecture, we focus on increasing the number of large tourist complexes that embody history and modernity.

As our ancestor Muhammad Khorezmi, the creator of algebra and algorithm, said, “order and correct calculation are the key to any achievement.” Therefore, in our country, work to increase tourism potential is carried out on the basis of specific and carefully developed plans.

Three years ago in Samarkand, we commissioned a large tourist complex “The Eternal City”. And today, on Khorezm soil, we are solemnly opening “Arda Khiva” - or the “Eternal Khiva” complex. This unique complex is another example of the practical implementation of our grandiose plans.

In this magnificent international tourist complex, built in a short time, 17 hotels and guest houses, 9 restaurants, outdoor and indoor water parks, each of which will serve 2 thousand tourists a day, an amphitheater with 3 thousand seats, 5 cinemas and concert halls, an exhibition pavilion, 70 shops, 300 trading stalls, 11 artisan workshops, an oriental bazaar and a jewelry center, fountains and a 4-kilometer coastal walking path.

The Ancient Urgench Museum, telling about the glorious past of Khorezm, will undoubtedly be very popular among compatriots and tourists.

Thanks to the work we have carried out, the flow of tourists to the region will increase by an additional 1 million people, the volume of services provided will increase by 1.2 trillion soums, and at least 2 thousand jobs will be created.

I am convinced that Arda Khiva will open a new page in the development of tourism in Khorezm and will become its second “signature” card."

I take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude to entrepreneurs and investors, builders and specialists, everyone who made a worthy contribution to this noble cause.

I congratulate the residents of Khorezm, all our people on the creation of such a unique complex!

Dear residents of Khorezm, dear guests!

Khorezm has a huge, not yet fully exploited tourism potential.

As you know, we are transferring 2,400 hectares of land in the Khiva region to the city of Khiva. The Desert Star tourist complex will be built here. Hotels, entertainment centers, gastronomic and shopping streets, museums, eco-houses, a summer camp, and extreme tourism facilities will be built on this territory.

We will begin construction work on the complex no later than this year. It will be headed by Prime Minister A. Aripov.

Also in the Tuprokkala region, safari and hunting tourism will be developed on 5 thousand hectares of steppe. On the banks of the Gazavat, Palvan, Shavat canals, flowing through Urgench, Shavat, Koshkupyr, Khiva and Khazarasp, 80 service, shopping and entertainment facilities worth a total of $50 million will begin operating. Tourist villages will be created in Bagatsky, Gurlensky, Yangibazarsky and Urgench districts.

We have set ourselves the high goal of carefully preserving, enriching and widely popularizing the huge scientific and spiritual heritage of our ancestors in the world. In this regard, the garden on 2 hectares next to the Mamun Academy will become a “smart” open-air museum called “Great Thinkers”.

Here tourists will be presented in an interactive form in several foreign languages with a worthy life path and the rich creative heritage of dozens of our great ancestors, who were raised by the Khorezm land.

Literally yesterday I signed a decree on the formation of a new university named after Muhammad al-Khorezmi and an IT school in Urgench. I am sure that the future of Khorezmi and Beruni will receive education in these educational institutions.

Dear compatriots!

I would like to draw your attention to one question. The Almighty has granted a common destiny to the residents of the Khorezm region and Karakalpakstan, living on both banks of the Amu Darya. The history, culture and traditions of these two neighboring regions cannot be imagined separately from each other.

In this regard, we will develop tourism in Khorezm and Karakalpakstan on the basis of a single concept.

For this purpose, a project for the tourist ring “Khorezm - Karakalpakstan” will be developed. For example, 80 kilometers from Khiva is the Ellikkala district, where the Ayaz-kala and Tuprok-kala monuments of interest to tourists are located. Also in the Akhchakul area there is all the infrastructure for the development of beach tourism. In the Beruni district, one of the unique sites for pilgrimage tourism is the place of worship “Sultan Uwais”. And many more such examples can be cited.

Therefore, we will begin to implement a large program to develop roads connecting these territories and roadside infrastructure. In addition, the Urgench-Gurlen-Mangit highway will be completely repaired.

In recent years, a railway has been laid to the city of Khiva, a new station has been built, and the Bukhara-Urgench-Khiva railway has been fully electrified. As we have agreed, in 2026 modern high-speed trains, named after Jaloliddin Manguberda, will begin running along this route. The most important thing is that in the near future these high-speed trains will travel to Nukus.

Many of our foreign friends are taking part in today's celebration. Let us greet our dear guests with all our hearts and once again express our respect and good wishes to them!

Anyone who has ever visited Khorezm will certainly be fascinated by it for life. I am convinced that you, dear friends, will have unforgettable impressions from exploring this beautiful, unique region.

At the same time, each region of our country is distinguished by its unique picturesque landscapes, rich culture, traditions, historical monuments, excellent dishes and gifts of nature.

Visit our country again, our other regions, share your opinions and impressions with your loved ones.

Undoubtedly, New Uzbekistan as a safe tourist space, rich in diverse content and vivid impressions, will forever be etched in your memory.

Welcome to Uzbekistan, dear guests!

Dear compatriots!

Today, despite the difficult situation in the world, Uzbekistan is firmly following its own path. Our people live in an atmosphere of peace and prosperity, friendship and cooperation, in the spirit of creation.

All our goals and plans, every reform is aimed at improving people's lives, and we will steadily continue this work.

I am convinced that together with you, my dears, by selflessly working, we will turn Khorezm and Karakalpakstan into one of the most beautiful and well-developed regions in the world, where science and innovation, culture and art are developed.

On the path to this noble goal, I wish you all good health, peace and prosperity for your homes.

May peace and tranquility always reign in our dear Motherland, may our Uzbekistan prosper!

Official website of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan