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The Islamic Civilization Center in Uzbekistan, established at the personal initiative of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, continues to attract the attention of the global community. This unique complex has become an important milestone in Uzbekistan’s cultural diplomacy. In the context of expanding international relations, a delegation from the Ministry of Culture of Serbia visited the Center. The delegation was led by State Secretary of the Ministry of Culture of Serbia, Lav Pajkić, accompanied by the Director of the National Museum and the Acting Director of the Historical Museum.

During the visit, the delegation familiarized with the Center’s exhibitions. They were particularly impressed by the advanced scientific concept of the “Civilizations – Personalities – Discoveries” project, as well as the innovative technological solutions aimed at bringing the exhibitions to life through the use of artificial intelligence and robotics.

Lav Pajkić emphasized the importance of introducing innovative solutions such as avatars and virtual reality, noting that they can significantly enhance the perception of museum exhibitions. These technologies are especially attractive to younger audiences and represent an important step forward. Referring to the example of the Islamic Civilization Center, Pajkić highlighted that these innovations are successfully used to animate historical figures and create engaging and accessible exhibitions. He expressed hope that similar technologies would be introduced in Serbian museums, helping to attract more visitors.

One of the key aspects of the visit was the negotiations between the leadership of the Islamic Civilization Center and the Serbian delegation. Director Firdavs Abdukhalikov provided information about the scientific and conceptual foundations of the project, emphasizing that all of this became a reality thanks to the ideas of the President of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, who visited the Center several times and personally participated in developing the museum’s concept. The parties discussed opportunities for cooperation in the preservation of cultural heritage, the introduction of modern exhibition solutions, and the modernization of museum activities.

The Serbian side expressed strong interest in applying the Center’s experience in its own museums, particularly in the process of modernizing the National Museum and the under-construction Historical Museum. Concrete steps were proposed to involve Uzbek specialists in implementing advanced scientific and technical solutions in Serbia. Serbian colleagues noted their readiness to utilize the Center’s practical experience to improve the quality of museum exhibitions and in the restoration of cultural objects.

Sharing his impressions, Lav Pajkić stated:

“This center is not just a museum, but an architectural masterpiece. Artificial intelligence and innovative technologies bring exhibitions to life, creating a unique experience for visitors. This approach can serve as a model for other countries and inspire the creation of new cultural spaces that combine science, art, and technology.”

At the end of the visit, the delegation left their impressions in the “Book of Honored Guests” and received as a gift a unique collection of books about Uzbekistan’s cultural heritage preserved in museums around the world.

The Serbian side expressed its readiness to continue cooperation with the Islamic Civilization Center and to expand practical collaboration within the framework of cultural and scientific exchange. The parties agreed to implement concrete projects in the fields of cultural heritage preservation, restoration of exhibits, and the introduction of modern technologies in the museum sector.

This visit became a continuation of diplomatic cooperation between Uzbekistan and Serbia, which began with the visit of Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić in October 2025.

During his visit, Vučić sincerely expressed his support:

“I have never seen anything like this center anywhere before. The Islamic Civilization Center has been built in an extremely modern and remarkable way. I learned a great deal today, and I will certainly return here again. I would say to all my fellow citizens in Serbia: ‘My dear friends, I have made a great mistake because I had never come to Uzbekistan before. Please, come and see this country as soon as possible.’”