Samarkand Becomes a Global Platform for Shaping the Future of Education, Science, and Culture

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — For the first time in forty years, the General Conference of UNESCO will move beyond Paris and take place in Samarkand – a city where ancient heritage meets the future.

At the end of October, Samarkand will host one of the most significant humanitarian events of the decade – the 43rd session of the UNESCO General Conference.

More than 5,000 participants from 193 countries – including heads of government, ministers, scholars, and cultural leaders – are expected to gather on Uzbekistan’s historic soil to discuss the values shaping the 21st century.

The decision to hold the conference in Samarkand is regarded as a vote of confidence in Uzbekistan’s growing international standing. For four decades, no country other than France has hosted the General Conference – UNESCO’s main forum defining its long-term policy. Experts note that Samarkand is emerging as a global platform for intercivilizational dialogue, and the choice of the city reflects the rising importance of Central Asia in building a new humanitarian architecture of the world.

The symbolism is striking: Samarkand, once a crossroads of the Silk Road caravans, is today a hub of digital and cultural exchange in the 21st century. Under the arches of Registan Square, where the voices of Eastern scholars once echoed, participants will now discuss the future of education, science, and culture.

The key topics of the conference include cultural heritage preservation, AI ethics, sustainable development, climate action, creative industries, and the role of women in science. Parallel events will feature the UNESCO Youth Forum and sessions of intergovernmental committees.

For Uzbekistan, this event marks the culmination of an eight-year journey — from a participant in individual projects to a full-fledged strategic partner of UNESCO. Today, 16 elements of Uzbekistan’s intangible cultural heritage are inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List, while major restoration projects, UNESCO Chairs, and research centers have been established, along with the creation of the International Beruni Prize.

The Samarkand session demonstrates that Uzbekistan not only preserves its rich history but also transforms culture into a language of the future, solidifying its place on the global humanitarian stage.