Abdulaziz Akkulov, the Ambassador of the Republic of Uzbekistan to the UAE, announced that the relationship between the UAE and Uzbekistan has seen significant growth in recent years. This development is evident in their strong cooperation within international organizations and their joint preparations to host the 43rd session of the UNESCO General Conference in Samarkand later this year.

His statements were made during a dialogue session held at the Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy, which emphasized Uzbekistan’s contributions to UNESCO initiatives and the alignment with the UAE in promoting sustainable development goals. The session was attended by Nickolay Mladenov, the Director-General of the Academy, alongside senior officials from both nations.

Akkulov noted that the strategic partnership between Uzbekistan and the UAE was formalized during President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s visit to the UAE in January 2025. He remarked that both countries enjoy dynamic and mutually enriching cooperation in the cultural sector, highlighting their shared commitment to preserving heritage and fostering intercultural dialogue.

The ambassador praised Uzbekistan’s annual participation in the Sheikh Zayed Festival, where it showcases traditional arts and crafts through its national pavilion. He also mentioned the collaboration between leading museums in both countries, which are working on joint exhibitions and professional exchanges.

In March, Uzbekistan became the ninth member of ALIPH – the International Alliance for the Protection of Heritage in Conflict Areas. Akkulov stated that this membership reinforces their joint efforts to safeguard cultural heritage, welcoming the launch of ALIPH’s regional call for projects in April 2025 aimed at protecting Central Asia’s heritage from climate threats.

Additionally, Akkulov highlighted that Uzbekistan is preparing to host the Second Summit of the Central Asian Countries and the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf on May 5 in Samarkand. He emphasized that Samarkand, one of the world’s oldest cities, has emerged as a significant international hub for conferences, tourism, and business, having previously hosted major events such as the SCO Heads of State Summit in 2022 and the 25th Session of the UN World Tourism Organisation General Assembly in 2023.