UNESCO 2025
Between 30 October and 13 November 2025, the historic city of Samarkand will serve as the venue for a significant international event organized by UNESCO. This historic gathering, expected to include a keynote address by the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, H.E. Mr. Shavkat Mirziyoyev, underscores the country’s growing role as a bridge between cultures, civilizations, and eras. For centuries, Samarkand has embodied the spirit of cross-cultural engagement and the blending of diverse traditions. Positioned along the historic Silk Road, Samarkand emerged as a crossroads where merchants, intellectuals, and creatives from different regions converged – demonstrating the enduring influence of international interaction.Today, under President Mirziyoyev’s leadership, Uzbekistan is actively working to revitalize this historical legacy by promoting cultural dialogue and safeguarding its extensive heritage. The upcoming UNESCO event highlights not only the importance of protecting tangible and intangible cultural treasures but also the urgent need to foster mutual understanding in an increasingly polarized world. Uzbekistan’s commitment to heritage restoration, interfaith dialogue, and education aligns closely with UNESCO’s mission to build peace through culture. President Mirziyoyev’s anticipated address is expected to emphasize the idea that preserving culture plays an essential role in promoting sustainable growth and uniting communities globally. By investing in cultural heritage, societies invest in identity, resilience, and mutual respect – values that Samarkand has symbolized for over two millennia. The UNESCO gathering underscores Samarkand’s continuing role as a powerful example of cultural interconnectedness and shared human history. Here, amid the blue domes and timeless mosaics, the message is clear: dialogue is the true heritage of humanity.
Prof. László Vasa
Principal Advisor, Senior Research Fellow, Hungarian Institute of International Affairs
Professor, István Széchenyi University, Hungary