The announcement was made by UNESCO. President Shavkat Mirziyoyev had earlier proposed holding the conference in Bukhara during the opening of the 43rd session of the UNESCO General Conference in Samarkand in October 2025.
Located along the ancient Silk Road, Bukhara is one of Central Asia’s historic cultural centers. The city is known for its rich architectural and cultural heritage and centuries-old craft traditions, UNESCO said.
The organization noted that growing cultural activity was strengthening Bukhara’s international profile and creating opportunities to develop tourism, generate jobs and boost the local economy. It added that heritage preservation, social inclusion and environmental sustainability remained central to the city’s approach to developing culture and creative industries.
The 2027 conference will focus on the development of creative industries, the preservation and contemporary use of cultural heritage, support for young people and creative professionals, and the contribution of culture to achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Established in 2004, the UNESCO Creative Cities Network is one of the organization’s key initiatives for urban development. It promotes cooperation among cities that view creativity as a strategic driver of sustainable development.
The network currently brings together 408 cities worldwide, all committed to placing creativity and cultural industries at the center of their local development strategies and strengthening international cooperation.
