Samarkand :- At the conclusion of the 42nd session of the UNESCO General Conference, held in Paris from 7 to 22 November 2023, a historic decision was adopted to convene the next session – the 43rd session in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, in 2025.
The resolution received unanimous support from all 194 Member States of the Organization, serving as a high-level recognition of the comprehensive reforms being implemented in Uzbekistan in recent years.
This initiative was also a great diplomatic achievement for Uzbekistan, as UNESCO announced that its session would be held in another country for the first time in 40 years.
The selection of Samarkand as the venue for this high-profile global event stands as a clear testament to the international recognition of Uzbekistan’s significant achievements in the fields of culture, science, education, communication, and information, as well as its rich historical and cultural heritage.
As one of the oldest and most prominent cities in Central Asia, Samarkand is renowned for its magnificent architectural monuments and rich historical legacy. Historically, the city served as a key crossroads along the Great Silk Road, linking East and West. Today, Samarkand is celebrated for its iconic landmarks such as Registan Square, the Ulugh Beg Observatory, and the Shah-i-Zinda necropolis. These sites not only reflect the architectural grandeur and scientific advancements of the ancient world, but also testify to the city’s enduring role as a hub of cultural exchange and its profound contribution to the development of world civilization.
In this regard, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev expressed his sincere gratitude to all international partners and friends for their support of the historic decision to hold the 43rd session of the UNESCO General Conference in the ancient city of Samarkand in 2025.
“On behalf of the multinational people of Uzbekistan and personally, I sincerely thank all our foreign friends and partners for supporting the historic decision to hold the 43rd session of the UNESCO General Conference in the ancient city of Samarkand in 2025,” the Head of State wrote on his Telegram channel. “I believe that this important global event, being held in our region for the first time, will once again showcase to the international community the vast civilizational potential of Uzbekistan and the Central Asian states. In turn, Uzbekistan will mobilize all its efforts to organize and conduct the upcoming session at the highest level”.
Additionally, on March 16, 2024, President of Uzbekistan issued a decree on “Measures to Prepare for the Holding of the 43rd Session of the UNESCO General Conference in the City of Samarkand in 2025”.
According to the decree, an Organizing Committee has been established to oversee preparations for the event, and necessary measures are actively being implemented.
Working groups have been established by the Organizing Committee to coordinate and implement activities related to the session, with preparatory work currently underway. Matters concerning the arrival and departure of session participants to and from our country, visa facilitation, provision of transportation and medical services, as well as their participation in the main events and cultural programs are being addressed in close coordination with UNESCO.
According to available information, over 5,000 participants from 194 countries are expected to attend the 43rd session and its related events.
Within the framework of the main conference, the Government of Uzbekistan, in cooperation with UNESCO, plans to hold a series of joint events. These events will focus on pressing issues such as the role of artificial intelligence technologies in museum operations, gender equality, the empowerment of women, and other relevant topics.
Additionally, on the eve of the main conference, the 14th UNESCO Youth Forum as well as the 12th Interregional Meeting of National Commissions for UNESCO will be held in the city of Samarkand.
Uzbekistan’s cooperation with UNESCO is developing comprehensively. With the support of this international organization, a range of initiatives are being implemented to widely promote our country’s rich history, ancient traditions, and national values, ensuring their preservation for future generations. Furthermore, these priorities are considered among the key strategic directions of our national policy.
Notably, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan has met with UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay on multiple occasions. Their most recent meeting took place in Paris.
On March 12 of this year, during his state visit to France, President Mirziyoyev held talks with Audrey Azoulay, UNESCO Director-General reaffirming Uzbekistan’s commitment to deepening cooperation with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.
During the dialogue, issues related to further enhancing effective cooperation with this prominent United Nations agency were discussed, as well as the practical aspects of preparing for and hosting the 43rd session of the Organization’s General Conference scheduled for this autumn in the city of Samarkand.
Audrey Azoulay, Director-General highly praised the fruitful cooperation with Uzbekistan and expressed gratitude to the Head of State for the comprehensive preparations underway for the upcoming event.
During the dialogue, the parties agreed to further expand practical cooperation programs and to continue close collaboration in organizing forums and events within the framework of the 43rd session of the UNESCO General Conference.
For thousands of years, our region has served as a vital bridge along the historic Silk Road, connecting East and West, and continues to make a significant contribution to fostering intercultural understanding, knowledge exchange, and global cooperation. In this regard, Samarkand’s selection as the host city for the 43rd session of the UNESCO General Conference carries profound symbolic meaning.
It is important to emphasize that at a time when various conflicts are emerging worldwide, Central Asia has become one of the most significant geopolitical and geo-economic arenas of the 21st century. This region, from the perspectives of geography, civilization, and resources, serves as a vital bridge among major centers of power. In recent years, Uzbekistan has effectively employed “soft power” as a key element of its foreign policy. This diplomacy is founded on mutual respect, shared values, and the exchange of art and traditions.
It is noteworthy that Uzbekistan became a member of UNESCO on October 26, 1993. Since 1996, the UNESCO Office has been operating in Tashkent. Member states of the Organization are required to establish National Commissions on UNESCO affairs to coordinate their interactions with the Organization. In this regard, the National Commission of the Republic of Uzbekistan for UNESCO Affairs was established on December 29, 1994.
Over the past period, Uzbekistan has maintained effective cooperation with UNESCO across various fields. Within the framework of bilateral relations with this organization, UNESCO’s international registers occupy a special place. Notably, as a result of Uzbekistan’s successful diplomatic efforts, the country’s ancient historical and cultural elements have been inscribed on UNESCO’s lists. Several registries and listings can be highlighted in this regard. In particular, to date, seven sites in Uzbekistan have been included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, namely: the Historic Centre of Itchan Kala in Khiva, the Historic Centre of Bukhara, the Historic Centre of Shahrisabz, Samarkand, the Crossroad of Cultures, the Western Tian Shan, the Zarafshan-Karakum.
Sohail Majeed is a Special Correspondent at The Diplomatic Insight. He has twelve plus years of experience in journalism & reporting. He covers International Affairs, Diplomacy, UN, Sports, Climate Change, Economy, Technology, and Health.
