Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Uzbekistan

Dear participants of the conference!

Honored guests!

Ladies and gentlemen!

First of all, I would like to express my great pleasure in welcoming you to the hospitable land of Uzbekistan.

We extend our sincere respect and esteem to our distinguished guests, leaders of foreign delegations, scholars and cultural figures, leading experts, representatives of international organizations, and all of you participating in today’s prestigious event.

Welcome to Uzbekistan, the cradle of civilization, the land of peace, friendship, and enlightenment, which has nurtured great scholars such as Al-Khwarizmi, Mirzo Ulugbek, Navoi, Kamoliddin Behzod, and Agahi!

Dear friends!

Today, we are all witnessing how rapidly the times are changing.

The geopolitical situation in the world is becoming increasingly complex, with tensions rising in certain regions.

Ideological threats are evolving daily, taking root in societies and leading to moral decline.

Dangers such as “mass culture” are undermining the beliefs and values that humanity has upheld for centuries.

In the face of these threats, which pose serious challenges not only for individual countries but for all of humanity, culture must emerge as a force of salvation.

Because no borders or barriers can effectively combat ideological aggression.

Only an ideological weapon can counter it.

History provides us with countless examples of this.

Our ancestors always upheld the banner of enlightenment against ignorance, dedicating their intelligence and potential to the development of science and culture.

However, I would like to emphasize an important point.

Scholars such as Al-Khwarizmi, Al-Farghani, Al-Biruni, and Az-Zamakhshari did not emerge by chance from this sacred land.

Navoi and Babur Mirzo were not simply born as great poets.

The intellectual and cultural environment of their time nurtured such outstanding personalities and world-renowned scholars.

In this regard, under the leadership of our esteemed President, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Uzbekistan today is placing great emphasis on the development of science, culture, art, and literature.

Systematic efforts are being made to enhance the spiritual and ideological resilience of our people, especially the youth, and to strengthen peace and stability in our country under the idea of “Enlightenment Against Ignorance.”

Even during the pandemic, culture remained a priority, underscoring its significance under any circumstances.

The organization of major international conferences, forums, and various festivals in Uzbekistan today is no coincidence.

The topics discussed, the expressed views, and the proposed solutions during these interactions are crucial not only for Uzbekistan but for the promotion of goodness worldwide and for protecting youth from ideological threats.

To illustrate this, let me present a few examples.

In the past five years, Uzbekistan has adopted four laws, nearly 40 presidential decrees and resolutions, and more than 120 decisions and orders of the Cabinet of Ministers related to this field.

For the first time, a separate law on cultural activities and a concept for the further development of national culture have been adopted.

To elevate the status of cultural workers, April 15 was designated as the Day of Culture and Art Workers.

By presidential decree, a long-standing issue—the non-paid participation of artists and performers in state events and other ceremonies—has been resolved.

Several mechanisms have been introduced to support live performances at the state level.

For instance, a 50% discount on rental fees was introduced for concert programs conducted entirely with live performances.

Our enlightened ancestor Mahmudkhoja Behbudi once said, “Theater is an institution of enlightenment.” Indeed, theater plays an invaluable role in elevating human spirituality and intellect.

Therefore, great efforts are being made to develop theater arts in our country.

Since 2022, under the noble idea of “For Human Dignity,” a system has been introduced to annually stage 40 new theater productions through state commissions.

The establishment of new puppet theaters in Navoi, Namangan, Kashkadarya, and Khorezm regions, along with the provision of modern buildings and facilities, is part of these efforts.

As a result of such initiatives, the number of historical productions has increased from 35 in 2017 to over 150 today, while annual theater attendance has grown from 1–1.5 million to 3.5 million visitors.

In general, substantial resources and efforts are being invested in the development of this field.

Additionally, significant attention is being given to developing public-private partnerships in culture.

For example, 36 public-private partnership projects worth 152.8 billion soums have been developed.

To preserve Uzbekistan’s rich history and pass down its national traditions and values to future generations, several institutions have been established, including the Uzbek National Maqom Art Center, the Republican Center for Bakhshi Art, the Fund for the Development of Bakhshi Art, the Uzbek National Music Art Institute named after Yunus Rajabiy, and the Republican Center for Askiya and Comedy Arts named after Yusufjon Qiziq Shakarjonov.

Furthermore, to provide high-quality cultural services to the public, the Uzbekistan State Philharmonic Society, the Uzbekistan Theater Artists Association, the International Festival Directorate, and the “Bahor” State Dance Ensemble have been established.

Education remains one of our top priorities.

In 2019, the Ministry of Culture supervised 333 educational institutions, whereas today, this number has increased to 367.

Specifically:

• The Uzbek National Music Art Institute named after Yunus Rajabiy and the National Institute of Estrada Art named after Botir Zokirov were established in Tashkent.
• Specialized primary dance schools were opened in Bukhara, Karshi, and Urgench, along with secondary specialized institutions for maqom, opera, and bakhshi art, increasing their number from 23 to 31.
• The number of children's music and art schools increased from 305 to 325, covering over 88,000 students.
• The number of research institutions and professional development centers reached two.

Under the directives of our President, measures are being taken to provide quality cultural services in remote areas.

For example, two modern special vehicles equipped with sound and stage equipment were purchased, enabling cultural programs like “Cultural Caravan” and “Cinema Caravan” to reach different regions.

Additionally, interregional “Cultural Days” and “Neighborhood Festivals” are being organized.

Numbers often fail to fully convey the magnitude of efforts and opportunities being created for our youth.

For example, stating that a musical maqom theater was established in Margilan may not seem remarkable.

However, for the people and youth of the Fergana Valley, this cultural center holds immense significance, which cannot be expressed in mere numbers.

Similarly, the establishment of the “Maqom Museum” in Shahrisabz is a profound initiative aimed at preserving our musical heritage and passing it on to future generations.

Moreover, since 2016, 11 intangible cultural heritage elements from Uzbekistan have been inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Notably, Uzbekistan’s international cultural cooperation has reached a new level in the past five years.

Our engagement with organizations such as ICESCO, TURKSOY, and the International Fund for Turkic Culture and Heritage has intensified, leading to the implementation of various joint projects.

For instance, in 2025, Samarkand has been designated as the “Cultural Capital of the Islamic World,” where ICESCO’s Manuscript Preservation and Restoration Center will also be established.