Uzbekistan’s historic city of Samarkand will host the UNESCO General Assembly from October 30 to November 13, 2025, marking the first time in four decades that the event is held outside Paris.
The last session outside France took place in Sofia, Bulgaria, in 1985. Bringing the Assembly to Samarkand underscores both the city’s global cultural significance and Uzbekistan’s growing role in international cooperation on education, science, and culture.
Home to landmarks such as the Registan, Ulugbek Observatory, and Shahi-Zinda Mausoleum, Samarkand stands as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a symbol of the Silk Road’s legacy of cultural exchange.
UNESCO’s General Assembly gathers representatives from 193 member states to debate global policy priorities and advance initiatives in education, science, and culture.
Uzbekistan, a UNESCO member since 1993, will use the event to highlight its efforts in heritage preservation and cultural diplomacy. Officials say hosting the Assembly will further cement Samarkand’s status as a hub of global cultural dialogue and sustainable development.
