The draft of the state program on action plans was elaborated for “2018 – the year of Support of active entrepreneurship, innovative ideas and technology” within the framework of Action Strategies on the five directions for the development of Uzbekistan in 2017-2021.
According to President’s degree dated November 28, 2017 public discussion is going to be taken into account until January 15, 2018.
The fifth direction of Action strategy of the State Program Draft is “Provision of security, international harmony and religious tolerance with priorities on deeply-well-thought, mutual and practical foreign policy.” There are a number of articles related to religious sphere. Here is the one related to organizing international Qur’an festival:
Article 219. Organition of the 1st International Festival on Qur’an reading. The deadline is July 10, 2018 and will be in Bukhara region.
Organizational acitivies:
- promotion of pure essence of Islam in the world community;
- rewarding Qur’an reciter in various nominations;
- support of society and youth in enlightenment;
- promotion of rich historical, religious and cultural heritage to tourists.
Press service,
Muslim Board of Uzbekistan
Egyptian publication “Al-Ahram Weekly” has published an article titled “Uzbekistan’s cultural renaissance: How the Silk Road Civilization is reclaiming its voice on the global stage”, highlights the country's cultural revival, the development of the creative economy and the expansion of international cultural cooperation, reports Dunyo IA.
Publication notes that for centuries, Uzbekistan sat at the very heart of the Great Silk Road, connecting the civilizations, religions and cultures of Asia, the Middle East and Europe and today, it is once again capturing the attention of the global community.
According to Gayane Umerova, Head of the Department of Creative Economy and Tourism of the Administration of the President of Uzbekistan, under the initiative of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, culture, tourism and the creative economy are envisioned as fundamental pillars of the nation’s future, alongside infrastructure and industry. This approach, as noted, defines the state mandate to open Uzbekistan to the world and to welcome the world back to Uzbekistan.
Publication highlights that the nation's strategy extends beyond restoring historical sites to establishing new cultural platforms, including the Bukhara Biennial, the Center for Contemporary Art in Tashkent, the future Jadid Heritage Museum and international exhibition participation. This approach signifies a multifaceted cultural development policy.
Publication separately underscores the development of the creative economy and its nexus with cultural diplomacy and the nation’s investment attractiveness. It notes that every major cultural initiative in Uzbekistan is originally designed with a strategic focus on tourism development and investment attraction, including the “Samarkand Express” project, implemented in partnership with the Italian company “Arsenale Group”.
Publication also highlights the international acclaim received by Uzbekistan’s cultural projects, including the nation’s “Garden of Knowledge” pavilion at “Expo 2025 Osaka”, which was honored with the prestigious “Red Dot: Best of the Best” award.
Particular emphasis is placed on the preservation of Uzbekistan’s Islamic heritage, the advancement of museum infrastructure and the implementation of projects aimed at integrating historical legacy into the contemporary cultural context, including the Bukhara master development plan designed by the “Wilmotte & Associés” architectural bureau.
A dedicated section of the article focuses on Uzbekistan’s cultural cooperation with Egypt and the Arab world. It notes that the sides are discussing prospects for interaction in the fields of museum management, tourism, and cultural heritage preservation, alongside the development of institutional partnerships.
According to the publication, a highly symbolic milestone was the election of Professor Khaled El-Anany as Director-General of UNESCO during the 43rd session of the organization’s General Conference, which took place in Samarkand.
In conclusion, it underscores that Uzbekistan is envisioned as a nation that remains profoundly loyal to its traditions while simultaneously advancing modern cultural and creative industries, thereby strengthening international cultural cooperation.