Uzbekistan and the UAE Discuss Cooperation in the Creative Economy

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — On the sidelines of the 27th General Conference of the International Council of Museums (ICOM Dubai 2025), Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, met with Gagane Umerova, Head of the Department of Creative Economy and Tourism under the Presidential Administration of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

The conference, held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, was organized for the first time in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia.

The meeting was also attended by Noura bint Mohammed Al Kaabi, Minister without Portfolio; Hala Badri, Director General of Dubai Culture; and Muna Faisal Al Gurg, Director General of Museums and Heritage at Dubai Culture.

The parties discussed ways to deepen cooperation in the field of cultural and creative industries, highlighting their role as drivers of economic growth, innovation and cultural exchange. The discussion underscored the importance of strengthening the creative economy as a shared national priority, with an emphasis on expanding opportunities for talented artists, cultural entrepreneurs and emerging creative sectors.

Her Highness Sheikha Latifa noted that cultural ties between the UAE and Uzbekistan are rooted in centuries of interaction along the historic Silk Road, which connected people, ideas, crafts and artistic traditions across continents.

She emphasized that this heritage continues to inspire modern collaboration in building ecosystems grounded in creativity, openness and cultural understanding.

Sheikha Latifa particularly stressed the importance of supporting young talent and creating conditions for their professional growth, noting the role of both countries in nurturing a new generation of artists, designers and cultural professionals, as well as in promoting their work at the regional and international levels.

She also highlighted that investment in the creative economy carries not only economic value but also cultural significance, contributing to the preservation of identity, encouraging innovation and shaping a future in which culture and creativity serve as bridges between societies.