Uzbekistan has again featured prominently in UNESCO’s global «Tree of Peace» initiative, as the Philippine province of Lanao del Sur became the first in Southeast Asia to receive the prestigious Peace Statue during an unveiling ceremony in Marawi City on November 29.
The bronze monument, awarded to the provincial government in recognition of its commitment to peace and development, joins a select network of «Tree of Peace» installations across the world — including several sites in Uzbekistan. These include the Silk Road International University of Tourism and Cultural Heritage in Samarkand, where the statue symbolizes intercultural dialogue and the country’s growing role in global peace diplomacy.
UNESCO noted that other international locations include Abu Dhabi, the United States, Malta, France, Greece, China, Luxembourg and Azerbaijan, highlighting Uzbekistan’s early participation among major nations and cultural institutions.
The Marawi ceremony was attended by high-level UNESCO representatives, including Cecile Guidote-Alvarez, Unesco Artist for Peace, and Hedva Ser, the French sculptor behind the Tree of Peace. Lanao del Sur Governor Mamintal Alonto Adiong Jr., who recently received the Gusi Peace Prize International, was honored for community leadership and efforts to strengthen social cohesion.
Uzbekistan’s involvement in the initiative underscores its continued push to position itself as a regional hub for cultural diplomacy, peace-building, and international cooperation — aligning with the country’s broader strategy to elevate its global standing through UNESCO partnerships and Silk Road heritage programs.
Kursiv Uzbekistan also reports that thousands of worshippers braved rain and cold on Monday to welcome Pope Leo XIV to the Monastery of Saint Maroun in Annaya, where he visited the tomb of Saint Charbel.
