The official opening ceremony of the 43rd session of the UNESCO General Conference took place in Samarkand — marking the first time in forty years that the event has been hosted outside France.
The ceremony was organized at the Silk Road Samarkand Congress Center with the participation of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay, and delegations from 194 member states.
Hosting the conference in Samarkand stands as recognition of Uzbekistan’s contribution to advancing international cultural cooperation and preserving global heritage.