Speech by the President of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, at the Opening Ceremony of the 43rd Session of the UNESCO General Conference

(October 30, 2025, Samarkand)

Honorable Mr. President,
Distinguished Ms. Azoulay,
Heads of Delegations,

I am sincerely pleased to welcome you to the beautiful land of Uzbekistan, which for centuries has been at the crossroads of diverse cultures and civilizations.

For the first time in 40 years, our conference is being held outside the UNESCO headquarters – in ancient and eternally young Samarkand. This, of course, fills us with special pride.

I would like to take this opportunity to express my deep gratitude to the participants of this forum, His Excellency the President of Serbia, Mr. Aleksandar Vučić, His Excellency the President of Slovakia, Mr. Peter Pellegrini, UNESCO Director-General Ms. Audrey Azoulay, and all delegations of member states.

Hosting such a representative forum in our country is a manifestation of the high trust that UNESCO member states place in the dynamic and large-scale reforms being implemented in the New Uzbekistan.

UNESCO, celebrating its 80th anniversary, has over the years become an authoritative global institution for cooperation in education, science, culture, art, information, mutual trust, and solidarity. Its role and significance in preserving the national identity of peoples, safeguarding cultural heritage, and fostering interreligious dialogue are increasing.

It is profoundly symbolic that our forum is held in Samarkand, a city historically known as a center of unique knowledge, inter-civilizational dialogue, and humanistic ideas.

This land has long been the cradle of great human discoveries, a city where science, literature, and culture flourished. For example, under the dome of the observatory built by the great ruler and scholar Mirzo Ulughbek, a unique star catalog was created. History shows that it later contributed to the scientific discoveries of such prominent figures as Copernicus and Kepler.

Welcome to Samarkand – the jewel of the Great Silk Road, a city with a three-thousand-year history, a city of peace and friendship among nations and peoples!

Ladies and gentlemen,

We are all, of course, deeply concerned about the weakening of mechanisms for global consensus and multilateral cooperation in the humanitarian field in today’s rapidly changing world.

Geopolitical tensions and ongoing armed conflicts are causing significant damage to unique monuments, sacred sites, and invaluable cultural heritage. The gap between countries in access to knowledge, technology, and digital resources is growing, intensifying inequality and poverty. Such a complex situation requires even greater unity to fully achieve UNESCO’s core objectives.

We reaffirm our strong commitment to UNESCO’s high and noble goals. Our country is always ready to be a bridge between East and West, North and South, a platform for open and constructive multidimensional cooperation.

In recent years, Uzbekistan, as an equal member of UNESCO, has been taking consistent steps to elevate its engagement with the organization to a qualitatively new level. In particular, the five-year cooperation program until 2027 is being implemented effectively. On the international stage, anniversaries of our great ancestors – Abu Rayhan Beruni, Ahmad Fergani, Amir Timur, Ali Qushchi, Kamoliddin Behzod – as well as landmark dates of scientific institutions like the Khorezm Academy of Ma’mun and literary works such as the epic Alpamish, have been widely celebrated.

In addition to the World Heritage cities of Khiva, Bukhara, Shakhrisabz, and Samarkand, invaluable monuments along the Zarafshan-Karakum route, as well as natural areas of the Western Tien Shan and Turan deserts, have been included, highlighting the region’s unique biological diversity.

Approximately 20 types of intangible heritage, such as Shashmaqom, Katta ashula, the Lazgi dance, Askiya, pottery, miniature painting, the Navruz festival, and the traditions of producing atlas and adras fabrics, have received well-deserved global recognition.

Under UNESCO’s aegis, festivals of Shark Taronalari, Makom art, Bakhshi, traditional arts, and ethno-sports are regularly held.

At Uzbekistan’s initiative, significant documents have been adopted: the Khiva Process Resolution on promoting international cooperation in Central Asia (2021), the Tashkent Declaration on Early Childhood Education, and the Tashkent Declaration on International Access to Information (2023).

Uzbekistan hosts eight UNESCO chairs and 24 partner schools. Tashkent and Fergana have joined UNESCO’s Global Network of Learning Cities. Hundreds of cultural heritage sites have been restored in accordance with advanced technologies and international standards.

Dear friends,

During the Samarkand General Conference, a number of additional events will be held in the country. For instance, Bukhara is hosting its first biennale of contemporary art; a Regional Center for Preschool Education Development will be inaugurated under UNESCO in the capital; UNESCO-UBER International Prize laureates will be honored; an international conference on the role of AI in museums will take place; and Uzbekistan will join the Global Convention on the Recognition of Qualifications in Higher Education.

I express special gratitude to all member states for their full support of Uzbekistan’s initiatives and active participation in our international activities.

Dear guests,

Our time requires achieving UNESCO’s global goals and taking our multidimensional cooperation to a new level.

I would like to make several proposals on the main agenda items.

First, the development of inclusive education and the widespread application of artificial intelligence technologies are of key importance today. Every child, regardless of physical or social characteristics, must have equal access to education. We propose creating a UNESCO Platform for the Development of Inclusive Education for Children with Special Needs.

We hope you will support our plan to hold a World Summit on Vocational Education to organize an international dialogue for the exchange of knowledge and experience in the education sector.

Our priority is nurturing a new generation proficient in information technology and creative thinking. To broadly integrate AI into the education system, we are ready to implement the “AI in Schools” project in collaboration with UNESCO.

We also propose holding an International Forum of Experts on AI Ethics under UNESCO with the participation of leading universities, educational, and research institutions from all continents.

Second, joint efforts must be strengthened to preserve the world’s intangible cultural heritage, which is invaluable to humanity. We are interested in expanding UNESCO’s Memory of the World Program, aimed at protecting and providing access to unique heritage items such as oral traditions, manuscripts, archives, historical documents, and cultural data.

We propose declaring November 19 as International Documentary Heritage Day and establishing an International Digital Heritage Institute under UNESCO.

As you know, ancient Bukhara is included in UNESCO’s Creative Cities Network for Crafts and Folk Art. We are ready to host an International Congress on this topic in 2027.

Third, global programs for developing women’s leadership and competencies must be actively implemented.

According to UNESCO statistics, women constitute 25% of leaders in scientific and cultural institutions, 30% in educational leadership, and 33% among researchers, highlighting persistent gender inequalities. Ensuring gender equality remains one of UNESCO’s core priorities, and all initiatives should be integrated with this goal. We propose establishing a UNESCO Academy of Women’s Leadership to study best practices and facilitate knowledge exchange among member states.

We also propose organizing a Global Forum of Women in Education, Culture, and Science in Samarkand, with participation from scholars, artists, educators, and innovators from all continents.

Fourth, effective joint action against the climate crisis is essential. Rising average temperatures, melting glaciers, desertification, soil erosion, and urbanization seriously impact cultural heritage sites. We propose the global initiative “UNESCO Eco-City” to recognize and encourage environmentally responsible cities implementing green programs. We also advocate developing a UNESCO Executive Board resolution on strengthening cultural heritage preservation under globalization and climate change, and are ready to hold an international symposium in Khiva on this topic.

Fifth, joint measures must be taken to counter the spread of misinformation, public manipulation, and discrimination in the digital space. We propose an International Festival of Children’s Cultural Content to share the best creative works and multimedia ideas of a digitally native generation.

To promote media literacy, protect youth from manipulation, and ensure transparency, we propose developing a Comprehensive UNESCO Strategy on Media Literacy.

Finally, in today’s world, with growing interreligious tensions, it is vital to actively promote universal principles such as tolerance, mutual understanding, and harmony. Radicalism and Islamophobia can be effectively countered by disseminating the essence of Islamic culture and enlightenment globally. We call for joint utilization of Uzbekistan’s unique projects, including the Center of Islamic Civilization, and research centers of Imam Bukhari, Imam Maturidi, Imam Termezi, and Bahauddin Naqshband.

Dear friends,

I am confident that today’s forum will be an important practical step in establishing new directions for cooperation, strengthening mutual trust, and enhancing global partnership mechanisms for sustainable development.

Undoubtedly, the “Spirit of Samarkand,” drawing strength from UNESCO’s timeless traditions and values, will guide us toward further unity for the sake of common progress.

I wish you all success in this noble endeavor and in the work of the UNESCO session.

Thank you for your attention.