Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation of the Republic of Uzbekistan

The official opening ceremony of the Congress was attended by the Deputy Head of the Presidential Administration of the Republic of Uzbekistan Ilhom Siradjev, the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation Qoʻngʻirotboy Sharipov, the Minister of Health Asilbek Xudayarov, the European Union Ambassador to Uzbekistan Toivo Klaar, the Minister of Science and Higher Education of Poland Marcin Kulasek, the Minister of Education and Science of Tajikistan Saidzoda Rahim Hamro, the President of the Conference of Rectors of Academic Schools in Poland (CRASP) Bogumiła Kaniewska, and the President of IREG Academic Ranking & Excellence Observatory Waldemar Siwiński. They shared proposals and views aimed at strengthening cooperation in education and science.

It is worth noting that on April 3–4, 2025, Samarqand hosted, for the first time in history, the Markaziy Osiyo – Yevropa Ittifoqi sammiti, where leaders of the European Union and Central Asian countries reached important agreements to elevate their relations to the level of strategic partnership. The current Congress is organized as a practical continuation of the objectives outlined during that historic summit.

Amid rapid global changes, education and science are becoming key drivers of international integration. In this context, the Congress aims to develop academic cooperation between the European Union and Central Asia on a systematic and institutional basis.