Uzbekistan, UNESCO Discuss Expanding Partnership During High-Level Meeting in Samarkand

Gayane Umerova, Chairperson of the Art and Culture Development Foundation of Uzbekistan, has met with Khaled El-Enany, the newly elected Director-General of UNESCO, to discuss the next steps in strengthening cooperation between Uzbekistan and the organization.

During the talks, both sides praised Uzbekistan’s growing role within UNESCO, noting major achievements such as participation in the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage, joining the International Research Centre for the Conservation and Restoration of Cultural Property, and launching the Abu Raykhan Beruni International Prize for research in AI ethics, The Caspian Post reports via Uzbek media.

They also highlighted the creation of a UNESCO Regional Centre for Early Childhood Education in Uzbekistan and the continued efforts of the International Advisory Committee on Uzbekistan’s Cultural Heritage.

Special focus was given to the inclusion of Uzbek cities in UNESCO’s global networks and the recognition of new cultural sites and traditions on the World Heritage and Intangible Heritage Lists.

Both parties reaffirmed their commitment to expanding cooperation across education, science, culture, and information, in line with the initiatives proposed by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev at the 43rd session of the UNESCO General Conference.