Uzbekistan hosts UNESCO General Conference: Samarkand at the heart of global cultural dialogue

From 30 October to 13 November, the ancient city of Samarkand — a jewel of the Silk Road and a UNESCO World Heritage Site — is hosting the UNESCO General Conference, bringing together representatives from nearly 200 member states.

UNESCO General Conference in Samarkand

This high-level gathering serves as one of the most significant cultural and diplomatic events of the year, where global leaders, ministers, and experts discuss the future of education, science, heritage, and intercultural cooperation.

The conference is expected to feature a keynote address by H.E. Shavkat Mirziyoyev, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, whose speech will likely highlight the nation’s growing role in promoting cultural dialogue and sustainable development across Central Asia.

Samarkand – A crossroads of civilizations

Few places in the world embody the idea of cultural exchange as vividly as Samarkand. For more than two millennia, the city stood at the heart of the Silk Road — a meeting point of merchants, scholars, and artists connecting East and West.

Today, its architectural masterpieces such as Registan Square, the Gur-Emir Mausoleum, and Bibi-Khanym Mosque serve as reminders of that glorious legacy.

Hosting the UNESCO General Conference in Samarkand carries deep symbolic meaning. It demonstrates Uzbekistan’s commitment to restoring its historic role as a bridge between civilizations and transforming Samarkand into a modern center of global dialogue.

Over the past few years, the city has already welcomed numerous international gatherings, including the Organization of Turkic States Summit and several UN World Tourism Organization events, positioning itself as a hub for diplomacy, culture, and sustainable tourism.

President Mirziyoyev’s vision: culture, innovation, and peace

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev is expected to deliver a comprehensive address focused on the role of culture in fostering peace and mutual understanding. His recent speeches have consistently emphasized that:

“Culture is not the decoration of the past — it is the bridge to the future.”

At the UNESCO forum, he is anticipated to outline Uzbekistan’s ongoing initiatives:

• Digital preservation of cultural heritage and museum modernization,
• Integrating tourism with sustainable development goals,
• Creating a new platform for intercultural dialogue and education in Central Asia.

It would not be surprising if the President announced a proposal for establishing a UNESCO regional cultural center or a Silk Road Heritage Network, aiming to strengthen cooperation between Asian and European countries.

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Uzbekistan’s rising role in culture and tourism

In recent years, Uzbekistan has emerged as a cultural leader in Central Asia, driven by an ambitious modernization and tourism development strategy.

The country has successfully attracted more than three million international visitors annually, with new direct flight connections and strong partnerships with European countries, including Hungary, Italy, and France.

Initiatives such as the Silk Road International University of Tourism, the Tashkent International Tourism Fair, and the upcoming Bukhara – Cultural Capital of the Islamic World 2026 program underline Uzbekistan’s long-term vision: to build a globally recognized identity rooted in heritage, innovation, and hospitality.

This approach, often described as “Heritage Diplomacy”, has become a key pillar of Uzbekistan’s foreign policy — using cultural legacy as a means to foster friendship, trust, and investment.

Hungary’s partnership with Uzbekistan

Hungary has been among Uzbekistan’s closest partners in Europe, maintaining a strategic partnership agreement since 2021. Cooperation extends beyond politics and economics — it also encompasses education, water management, culture, and tourism. Hungarian experts have contributed to several UNESCO-related projects in Central Asia, particularly in sustainable heritage preservation and digital archiving.

The relationship is further deepened through high-level visits, joint business forums, and cultural exchanges. The Uzbekistan–Hungary Cultural Forum, held in Budapest in 2024, showcased how both nations see culture not only as tradition, but as a tool for innovation and soft diplomacy.

For Hungary, the ongoing UNESCO general conference in Samarkand represents a new opportunity to strengthen cooperation in education, creative industries, and cultural technology — areas where Hungarian expertise meets Uzbekistan’s dynamic regional vision.

Looking ahead: Samarkand as a cultural bridge of the 21st century

The UNESCO General Conference in Samarkand is more than a diplomatic milestone — it symbolizes a renewal of global dialogue rooted in shared values, heritage, and respect.

Uzbekistan’s efforts to position itself as a cultural mediator between East and West resonate strongly in a time when the world seeks new pathways for understanding and collaboration.

As the conference unfolds, all eyes are on Samarkand — a city that once connected civilizations through trade and knowledge, and today once again unites them through culture and peace.

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FAQ – UNESCO General Conference in Samarkand