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Uzbekistan held a series of working meetings in Paris as part of the preparations for the international exhibition and conference scheduled to take place at UNESCO Headquarters this October. The meetings focused on multilateral cooperation mechanisms with representatives of UNESCO, ICESCO, and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, as well as the concept of the upcoming international events and future joint projects.

On 15 July 2026, a delegation comprising representatives of the Islamic Civilization Center in Uzbekistan, the Imam Maturidi International Scientific Research Center, and the World Society for the Study, Preservation and Popularization of the Cultural Legacy of Uzbekistan held a series of working meetings at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, accompanied by Uzbekistan’s Permanent Delegate to UNESCO, Kamol Mukhtarov.

The discussions centered on preparations for the international exhibition and conference scheduled to be held at UNESCO Headquarters this October, as well as prospective joint initiatives aimed at preserving cultural heritage, expanding academic cooperation, and promoting educational diplomacy.

During the visit, the delegation met with Salima Dalibey, Head of the Representation of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation to UNESCO. The parties discussed the concept, substance, and expected outcomes of the presentations, exhibitions, and international conferences planned to be held at UNESCO Headquarters.

Salima Dalibey highly praised the religious and educational reforms implemented in Uzbekistan in recent years, particularly the activities of the Islamic Civilization Center in Uzbekistan, established at the initiative of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. She also commended the successful organization of the First International Islamic Civilization Forum, recently held in Tashkent, Samarkand, and Termez, and expressed the Organization of Islamic Cooperation’s readiness to participate as an active partner in the exhibitions and international conferences to be held at UNESCO Headquarters.

During talks with Somia Djacta, ICESCO’s Permanent Representative to UNESCO, the organizational aspects of the October international events were also discussed. She confirmed the organization's readiness to cooperate in implementing these initiatives.

The delegation also held technical meetings with officials from UNESCO’s Division of Conferences, Languages and Documents, during which practical agreements were reached on equipping the conference and exhibition halls in accordance with modern standards, developing the multimedia infrastructure, and arranging the exhibition displays.

At the conclusion of the meetings, Izzat Ibragimov, Deputy Director of the Islamic Civilization Center in Uzbekistan, described the visit as a practical continuation of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s policy of enlightenment and cultural diplomacy on the international stage.

“The Islamic Civilization Center in Uzbekistan, established at the initiative of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, has become not only an institution showcasing the country’s academic and cultural potential, but also a global platform presenting the rich intellectual heritage of Islamic civilization to the international community through modern formats. The exhibition and international conference planned at UNESCO Headquarters are expected to introduce this heritage to a global audience, expand dialogue among civilizations, and strengthen international academic cooperation.”

The meetings held in Paris once again demonstrated Uzbekistan’s commitment to developing cultural diplomacy as one of the key priorities of its foreign policy. The expanding cooperation with international institutions such as UNESCO, ICESCO, and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation is expected to promote the country’s rich cultural and scholarly heritage on the global stage, deepen international academic dialogue on Central Asia’s place in the history of civilizations, and broaden multilateral partnerships in the field of cultural heritage.