The Uzbek government has tasked the Cultural and Arts Development Fund with developing resolutions for the establishment of the Great Silk Road State Museum in Samarkand, the restoration of Amir Timur's gardens, the renovation of the Bibi-Khanym complex, and the creation of master and management plans for the protection of the Historic Centre of Bukhara, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
This directive was outlined in a presidential decree by Shavkat Mirziyoyev in preparation for hosting the 43rd session of the UNESCO General Conference in Samarkand in 2025, marking the first time since 1985 that the event will be held outside of Paris. The Fund is required to draft the mentioned documents in line with UNESCO criteria and involve international experts in the process.
Additionally, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been instructed to submit an official application to the UNESCO Director-General for Uzbekistan's inclusion in the International Research Centre for the Conservation and Restoration of Cultural Heritage.
Furthermore, the National Commission for UNESCO has been tasked with taking steps to include Uzbekistan's cities, unique cultural objects, and natural heritage sites in the Creative Cities Network and Learning Cities Network of UNESCO, as well as international lists accordingly.
The preservation status of Bukhara's cultural heritage sites was previously discussed at the 45th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee in September 2023, with the next session scheduled for July of the current year. The Committee praised Uzbekistan's decision to extend the construction moratorium and new activities in the historic center, including the buffer zone, until the comprehensive master and management plans are developed and approved by the UNESCO World Heritage Centre.
