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A founding meeting to establish the “Uzbekistan – Saudi Arabia” Friendship Society was held at the Islamic Civilization Center in Uzbekistan. The event was attended by representatives of the Committee on Interethnic Relations and Compatriots Abroad, the founders of the Society, the Center’s leadership, experts in the field, and members of the public.

As noted during the meeting, in recent years, under the leadership of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, the country has consistently pursued an open and constructive foreign policy based on the principles of mutual trust and people’s diplomacy. Particular attention has been given to strengthening cultural, spiritual, and humanitarian ties with countries around the world, especially those of the Islamic world. In this regard, friendship societies play an important role in fostering closer ties between peoples, promoting cultural and educational dialogue, and advancing public diplomacy to a new level.

It was emphasized that in today’s globalized world, friendship societies serve not only as platforms for cultural exchange but also as effective public institutions that promote cooperation in science, tourism, education, cultural heritage, and humanitarian fields. The close and trusting relations that have developed in recent years between Uzbekistan and Saudi Arabia were highlighted as a strong foundation for this initiative.

Participants discussed ways to further enhance cultural, educational, scientific, and humanitarian cooperation between the two countries, expand the opportunities of people’s diplomacy, and elevate collaboration in tourism, education, science, and cultural heritage to a new stage. Special recognition was also given to the broad opportunities created in recent years for Uzbek citizens in the field of pilgrimage tourism and the organization of visits to holy sites.

During the meeting, Chairman of the Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan on Interethnic Relations and Issues of Compatriots Abroad, Sariev Kakhraman, noted that under the leadership of the Head of State, consistent efforts are being made to develop civil society institutions, support public organizations, and expand international humanitarian cooperation. He emphasized that the “Uzbekistan – Saudi Arabia” Friendship Society will play an important role in strengthening the cultural and spiritual closeness between the peoples of the two countries, expanding mutual cooperation, and promoting people’s diplomacy.

In the main part of the founding meeting, the proposal to establish the “Uzbekistan – Saudi Arabia” Friendship Society was unanimously approved by the participants. The Society’s charter was then discussed and adopted, its membership and organizational structure were determined, and views were exchanged on its future areas of activity, priority tasks, and mechanisms for cooperation.

Following a vote, Firdavs Abdukhalikov, Director of the Islamic Civilization Center in Uzbekistan, was elected Chairman of the “Uzbekistan – Saudi Arabia” Friendship Society.

In his remarks, Firdavs Abdukhalikov emphasized that, at the initiative of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, relations with countries around the world — particularly with nations of the Islamic world — have entered an entirely new stage based on mutual trust and friendship. He also noted that the President’s initiatives aimed at preserving cultural heritage, advancing people’s diplomacy, and promoting the rich legacy of Islamic civilization on the international stage are already yielding tangible results.

It was further stressed that the Islamic Civilization Center in Uzbekistan is carrying out large-scale efforts to expand scientific and cultural cooperation with Muslim countries, study manuscripts and rare sources, and implement joint conferences, exhibitions, and research projects. In particular, strengthening cooperation with the scientific institutions, universities, libraries, and cultural centers of Saudi Arabia was identified as a matter of great importance.

As noted during the meeting, the newly established “Uzbekistan – Saudi Arabia” Friendship Society, in cooperation with the Islamic Civilization Center in Uzbekistan, will contribute to the further development of cultural, educational, scientific, and humanitarian ties between the two countries, the implementation of joint projects, the broad international promotion of the heritage of Islamic civilization, and the strengthening of friendship and mutual trust between the peoples of Uzbekistan and Saudi Arabia.