Brussels, July 7 – In a significant milestone for Uzbekistan and Central Asia, the ancient city of Samarkand is set to host the 43rd session of the UNESCO General Conference this autumn—marking the first time in four decades that UNESCO’s highest governing body will convene outside of its Paris headquarters. The announcement was celebrated at a special event organized at the Press Club Brussels Europe, with the participation of His Excellency Gayrat Fazilov, Uzbekistan’s Ambassador to Belgium and Head of Mission to the European Union, and other distinguished speakers.

Ambassador Fazilov described the event as both a “great honor and responsibility” for Uzbekistan, highlighting the country’s increasing visibility and trust within the international community. “This is not just a recognition of our capacity to host such a major gathering,” he stated, “but a reflection of the growing global confidence in Uzbekistan’s commitment to education, science, culture, and international cooperation.”

Samarkand: A Crossroads of Civilizations

Ambassador Fazilov emphasized that the choice of Samarkand is deeply symbolic. Once a thriving hub on the Great Silk Road, the city has historically stood at the intersection of trade, cultural exchange, and intellectual dialogue. Today, Samarkand is re-emerging as a center of global diplomacy and multilateral engagement, hosting over 60 major international events annually, including the EU–Central Asia Summit, the UN Tourism General Assembly, and the EBRD Annual Meeting.

“The upcoming UNESCO conference will mark a new chapter in Uzbekistan’s cultural diplomacy,” said the ambassador, underlining the importance of education, heritage protection, and scientific advancement in the country’s ongoing reform process.

Antonio Buscardini Named Uzbekistan’s Tourism Ambassador

In a gesture that symbolized the deepening cultural ties between Uzbekistan and Europe, Antonio Buscardini, CEO of Buscardini Communications, founder of Travel Tomorrow, and recently appointed President of Press Club Brussels Europe, was officially named Tourism Ambassador of Uzbekistan.

Buscardini expressed his deep appreciation and highlighted his long-standing connection with Uzbekistan: “I had the privilege of being part of the Permanent Delegation to UNESCO when the decision to host the General Conference in Samarkand was made. It is a city that fully embodies UNESCO’s values of intercultural dialogue, heritage, and openness.”

He also referenced his recent documentary, “Embarquement à Samarkand”, broadcast on TV5Monde, which showcases Uzbekistan’s cultural revival and hospitality.

A Dynamic UNESCO Agenda

The 43rd General Conference promises an ambitious and wide-ranging program, involving 194 member states and taking place over two weeks. The event will include:

Plenary sessions, debates, and high-level votes;
Commission and committee meetings focused on education, science, culture, and communication;
Around 50 side events organized by UNESCO and member states;
Cultural exhibitions, youth forums, and roundtables.

Key highlights include:

A high-level conference on artificial intelligence and heritage protection, based on UNESCO’s ethical AI recommendations;
The presentation of Uzbekistan’s national AI report;
A forum on gender equality and women’s empowerment;
Uzbekistan’s official accession to the Global Convention on the Recognition of Qualifications in Higher Education;
The first edition of the UNESCO-Uzbekistan Biruni Prize, recognizing excellence in science and innovation rooted in historical contributions by Central Asian scholars;
The “Green Garden” opening, a symbolic event reinforcing Uzbekistan’s commitment to sustainability in event planning.

“This is a proud moment for Uzbekistan,” concluded Ambassador Fazilov, “and we are determined to make this conference not just a diplomatic milestone, but a model for future global cooperation in science, culture, and sustainable development.”

They also broadcast the documentary “Embarquement à Samarkand” showcasing the richness of Uzbekistan, through its history during the Timurid era, the capital of the Timurid empire Samarkand, and the ruler Ulugh Beg, one of the greatest scholars in the world, a descendant of Amir Timur, the Karluk emperor. They also aired the Samarkand Observatory, which, as a reminder, was one of the best scientific centers of this period.

The event concluded with a cocktail featuring as the main dish: the famous Uzbek plov, one of the best dishes in the world and recognized by UNESCO.