On March 12, during his official visit to France, the President of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, had a meeting with Audrey Azoulay, the Director-General of UNESCO.
The main focus of the discussion was on strengthening the productive partnership with this prominent UN agency and addressing the practical aspects of organizing and hosting the 43rd session of the UNESCO General Conference, which is scheduled to take place in Samarkand this autumn.
The current high level of multifaceted cooperation was acknowledged with satisfaction.
At the initiative of Uzbekistan, UNESCO has adopted resolutions on information accessibility and children’s education.
The country has also become a member of the International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property. Additionally, Bukhara has joined the UNESCO Creative Cities Network, and a UNESCO Chair has been established at the “Silk Road” International University of Tourism and Cultural Heritage in Samarkand.
Furthermore, seven new projects in the fields of education, culture, digital and innovative technologies were launched last year.
UNESCO has also added the Deserts of Turan and the Zarafshan-Karakum Corridor, along with the arts of silk weaving, ceramics, playing rubab, and iftar traditions, to its special lists. Moreover, the “Chancellery of the Bukhara Emirate”, the “Turkestan Album”, and the “Photo Album of Khudoybergan Devonov” have been included in these lists as well.
It is noteworthy that this year, Samarkand will host the 43rd session of the UNESCO General Conference. This will mark the first time in 40 years that the session will be held outside of UNESCO’s headquarters in Paris, and it will coincide with the organization’s 80th anniversary.
The UNESCO Director-General, Audrey Azoulay, commended the successful partnership with Uzbekistan and expressed her gratitude to the President for the extensive preparations for the upcoming event.
Both parties agreed to further expand practical cooperation programs and continue to work closely together in organizing forums and events during the 43rd session of the UNESCO General Conference.
UzA