UNESCO to Hold 43rd General Conference in Samarkand in 2025

UNESCO will stage its 43rd General Conference in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, in 2025 — the first time in 40 years the gathering is held outside Paris. The move, adopted unanimously by all 194 member states at the 42nd session, is widely seen as recognition of Uzbekistan’s recent cultural and educational reforms.

Uzbekistan has set up an Organising Committee and plans upgrades around logistics, visas, transport and medical services. Authorities expect over 5,000 delegates. Alongside the plenary, Samarkand will host the 14th UNESCO Youth Forum and the 12th Interregional Meeting of National Commissions.

Conference side events will focus on AI in museums, gender equality, and women’s empowerment. A decision on a UNESCO Category 2 Centre for Early Childhood Education in Tashkent is also anticipated.

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev thanked partners for backing Samarkand, calling the event a chance to showcase the «civilizational potential» of Uzbekistan and Central Asia. UNESCO officials have praised Uzbekistan’s cooperation, particularly in education, heritage preservation and science.

Uzbekistan’s UNESCO profile includes seven World Heritage sites (Khiva, Bukhara, Shahrisabz, Samarkand, Western Tian Shan, Zarafshan–Karakum Corridor, Kyzylkum Desert) and 16 elements on the Intangible Cultural Heritage list, with further nominations pending. Recent entries to Memory of the World include the Mawlana Collection and the Turkestan Album.