​Your excellency, Mr. President!

Your excellency, Madam Azoulay!

Distinguished heads of delegations!

It gives me great pleasure to extend my most sincere greetings to you on the unique land of Uzbekistan – a land that has been located at the crossroads of ancient cultures and civilizations.

President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev received Director-General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Audrey Azoulay in the city of Samarkand.

The history of Uzbek - Finnish relations dates back to the early 1990s, when Finland became one of the first countries to recognize the independence of the Republic of Uzbekistan - on 30 December 1991. Just two months later, on 26 February 1992, diplomatic relations were officially established, marking the beginning of a new chapter based on mutual respect, trust, and a shared commitment to technological progress.

Diplomatic relations between the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Republic of Serbia were established on January 18, 1995, following Belgrade’s recognition of Uzbekistan’s independence in late 1991. This laid the groundwork for a gradual development of political dialogue which, despite the geographical distance between the two nations, has been built upon mutual respect, support for sovereignty, and the principle of non-interference in internal affairs.

Today, in the ancient city of Samarkand—long a crossroads of cultures and civilizations—the 43rd Session of the UNESCO General Conference officially opens.

This historic event is being held outside UNESCO Headquarters in Paris for the first time in 40 years, and for the first time ever – in Central Asia. Hosting such a large-scale forum in Uzbekistan underscores the country’s growing role in international cultural and humanitarian cooperation and symbolizes its ongoing contributions to the preservation and promotion of the world’s heritage. 

This year, the United Nations marks its 80th anniversary — a symbolic milestone for the entire international system undergoing profound transformation. Amid escalating conflicts, global inequality, and widening technological divides, the UN platform is once again emerging as a space where states seek compromise and shape new rules of global engagement. For Uzbekistan, the anniversary session of the General Assembly was not merely a diplomatic event, but an opportunity to reaffirm its new international standing — that of an active participant and initiator of regional and global processes.

The upcoming “UzCharmExpoEurAsia–2025” exhibition will feature more than 30 leading companies from countries including Italy, Turkey, Latvia, China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Belarus, and Kyrgyzstan

From October 28 to 30, 2025, the 19th International Exhibition-Fair “UzCharmExpoEurAsia–2025” will be held at the “Uzexpomarkaz” exhibition center in Tashkent, a premier event dedicated to leather, footwear, accessories, karakul, fur, wool, and locally produced goods.

Rarely do events within international organizations emerge that can truly symbolize a new era. The convening of the 43rd session of the General Conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in the ancient city of Samarkand stands as one such landmark moment.

In recent years, there has been a significant enhancement in the relations between Uzbekistan and Qatar. In particular, in 2024, relations between the two countries were elevated to the level of strategic partnership.

The development of such active dialogue is explained by the high interest of the parties in both expanding bilateral relations and strengthening regional ties between Central and Southeast Asia.

On October 30, on the sidelines of the 43rd session of the UNESCO General Conference in Samarkand, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev held talks with President of the Slovak Republic Peter Pellegrini.