UNESCO backs Uzbekistan’s push for global initiatives in education, culture, and science

According to Dunyo, from January 14 to 30, Uzbekistan’s Permanent Delegation to UNESCO conducted expanded meetings with the leadership of key sectors of the organization’s Secretariat. The talks focused on developing concrete mechanisms to implement initiatives put forward by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev during the 43rd session of UNESCO’s General Conference, held in Samarkand.

A central topic of the consultations was the implementation of a dedicated roadmap outlining structured mechanisms, timelines, and responsible institutions for each of the Uzbek president’s initiatives. Heads of UNESCO’s education, culture, natural sciences, and social and humanitarian sectors took part in the discussions and confirmed their readiness to continue expert and advisory cooperation.

UNESCO officials highlighted President Mirziyoyev’s keynote address at the opening of the Samarkand conference, noting that it laid a solid foundation for advancing bilateral cooperation to a new strategic level.

In the education sector, the sides reached preliminary agreements to begin comprehensive preparations for the World Summit on Technical and Vocational Education, scheduled to be held in Uzbekistan in 2027. Discussions also covered the introduction of advanced digital technologies into education, including a pilot “Artificial intelligence in schools” initiative.

UNESCO will additionally provide advisory support for the creation of an inclusive education platform for children with special needs and for expanding the network of UNESCO Chairs at higher education institutions in Uzbekistan to strengthen the country’s academic and scientific capacity.

Progress was also reported in cultural cooperation. The parties discussed drafting a special resolution of UNESCO’s Executive Board on protecting cultural heritage amid modern global challenges, including climate change, as well as an initiative to proclaim November 19 as the International Day of Documentary Heritage.

Scientific cooperation featured prominently on the agenda, with discussions on consolidating the research potential of the Center of Islamic Civilization and research centers named after Imam Bukhari, Imam Maturidi, Imam Termizi, and Bahauddin Naqshband. Proposed areas of cooperation include academic exchanges and deeper joint research.

Uzbekistan is also set to host several major international events, including an international symposium in Khiva and a conference of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network in Bukhara. Plans were discussed for organizing an International Festival of Children’s Cultural Content in Tashkent, envisioned as a new platform for youth creativity.

Gender equality and women’s empowerment were another key focus. UNESCO’s relevant department praised Uzbekistan’s initiative to establish a Women’s Leadership Academy and expressed readiness to support the development of its curricula and long-term strategy. Work has also begun on the concept of a Global Forum of Women in Education, Culture, and Science, planned for Samarkand in 2027.

In the environmental and scientific sphere, coordination has started on nominating the Kitab State Geological Reserve for inclusion in UNESCO’s Global Geoparks Network. Secretariat representatives noted the site’s unique natural potential and said international recognition could be achieved within an optimal timeframe if the nomination dossier is properly prepared.

At the conclusion of the meetings, the sides agreed to enter a practical phase of cooperation, including the preparation of conceptual documents for all initiatives, the appointment of national coordinators, and the organization of online and in-person consultations in the coming months. UNESCO confirmed its interest in further deepening and expanding cooperation with Uzbekistan at both regional and global levels.