Uzbekistan Receives US$140,000 Grant for Archaeological Excavations at “Chinortepa”

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — Uzbekistan has been officially admitted to the Council of the Asian Cultural Heritage Alliance and received a grant of US$140,000 to conduct archaeological excavations at the “Chinortepa” site in Surkhandarya region.

On 27 November, the Chinese city of Chongqing hosted an important platform for regional cooperation in preserving Asia’s cultural heritage — the 2nd General Assembly and the 3rd Council Meeting of the Asian Cultural Heritage Alliance.

Representing Uzbekistan at the event was Bahodir Abdikarimov, Director of the Agency for Cultural Heritage.

In his speech, he emphasized that preserving cultural heritage amid urbanization, technological development, and environmental risks is not only a scientific responsibility but also a duty of humanity to future generations.

Bahodir Abdikarimov also noted that Uzbekistan’s participation in the Alliance will allow the country to share its rich historical legacy and strengthen the common values of Asian civilizations.

The event brought together representatives from 33 countries and international organizations, who discussed new approaches to heritage protection, restoration, conservation, and archaeological research.

The Asian Cultural Heritage Alliance, established in 2021 in Xi’an on China’s initiative, currently unites 24 countries and serves as a platform for scientific exchange and international cooperation, extending beyond Asia to include Africa, Europe, Latin America, and Oceania.

The Assembly’s decisions were significant for Uzbekistan. In addition to the grant for excavations at “Chinortepa,” the country was admitted to the Alliance’s Council.

This will enable Uzbekistan to participate more actively in shaping regional strategies and enhance its international reputation in heritage preservation, restoration, and archaeological research.

The grant will be used to deepen scientific studies of the site, uncover new findings, and expand international archaeological cooperation.