Uzbekistan is set to launch a landmark cultural project - the Silk Road Museum in Samarkand - after approval from President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, marking a major step in the country’s long-term tourism and cultural development strategy.

The new museum will be built on a 9-hectare site and designed not only as an exhibition space but as a full educational and research hub. It is expected to house more than 6,000 unique artifacts, including rare archaeological finds and works of applied art, The Caspian Post reports via Uzbek media.

Alongside the museum, a children’s academy and a dedicated research center will be established, turning the complex into a broader cultural and academic cluster in the heart of Samarkand.

The project forms part of Uzbekistan’s wider cultural transformation plan, which aims to modernize 839 cultural centers nationwide by 2030 with investments exceeding 1 trillion soums. The reform focuses on updating content, attracting private investment, and creating programs tailored to younger generations.

Authorities are also expanding support for the creative sector, introducing concessional loans and grants for private theaters and studios. In parallel, Uzbekistan plans to strengthen national media content and use artificial intelligence to systematize cultural data.

The tourism sector is already showing strong momentum. Since the start of 2026, tourism exports have increased by 48%, reaching $1.1 billion, while the number of foreign visitors has climbed to 3 million.

The country’s strategic goal is to welcome 12 million tourists this year and reach 20 million by 2030. To support this growth, Uzbekistan plans to implement 31 regional master plans over the next two years, create more than 40,000 jobs, and expand its network of tourist villages.

The Silk Road Museum is expected to become a flagship attraction, reinforcing Samarkand’s historic role as a key hub along the ancient trade route.