CULTURAL HERITAGE AGENCY OF THE REPUBLIC OF UZBEKISTAN
Cultural Heritage Agency of the Republic of Uzbekistan
The Cultural Heritage Agency of the Republic of Uzbekistan is a specially authorized state authority responsible for public administration in the fields of tangible cultural heritage, museums, archaeology, as well as the export and import of cultural property in the Republic of Uzbekistan.
The Agency was initially established pursuant to the Decree of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan dated June 19, 2021, “On Measures to Organize the Activities of the Cultural Heritage Agency under the Ministry of Tourism and Sports of the Republic of Uzbekistan and to Ensure the Innovative Development of the Sector.”
Subsequently, in accordance with Presidential Decree No. PF-14 dated January 25, 2023, “On Priority Organizational Measures to Ensure the Effective Operation of Republican Executive Authorities”, the Agency was reorganized as an independent state agency. Furthermore, by Presidential Resolution No. PQ-177 dated June 1, 2023, “On Measures to Effectively Organize Public Administration in the Field of Cultural Heritage within the Framework of Administrative Reforms”, the main areas of its activities were defined.
The functions and responsibilities of the Cultural Heritage Agency are determined in accordance with Resolution No. 649 of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan and include the following:
a) Protection of tangible cultural heritage objects
identification, registration, protection, and promotion of tangible cultural heritage objects; maintenance of the State Register, electronic catalog, passports, and State Cadastre; establishment of protected zones; and implementation of state control in the field of tangible cultural heritage;
ensuring the rational use of tangible cultural heritage objects, including their effective management through public-private partnerships, digitalization of the cultural heritage sector, and the introduction of modern information technologies;
implementation of conservation works on immovable tangible cultural heritage objects, performance of client functions, continuous scientific and technical supervision, conducting historical and cultural expertise, as well as examination of design and cost documentation for its impact on historical and cultural value;
b) Museum sector
maintenance of the State Catalog of the National Museum Fund; inclusion and exclusion of museum objects and collections in and from the National Museum Fund; transfer of such objects by way of universal legal succession or other lawful means; and implementation of state control in the museum sector;
coordination and development of museum activities; professional development, retraining, and certification of museum personnel; determination of museum categories; ensuring openness of the National Museum Fund; and study, promotion, restoration, and preservation of museum objects and collections;
c) Special protection of historical and cultural areas
protection of specially protected historical and cultural areas; preparation of passports, management plans, and regulatory regimes; establishment of protected zones; and preservation of historical and cultural value, uniqueness, natural landscape, and identity of such areas and historical neighborhoods;
nomination of historical sites for inclusion in the World Heritage List; monitoring compliance with the requirements of the Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, as well as recommendations of UNESCO, the World Heritage Centre, and the World Heritage Committee within the territory of the Republic of Uzbekistan;
d) Archaeology
support, coordination, and supervision of archaeological research; issuance of permits for archaeological research; expert examination of scientific reports; and ensuring their proper preservation;
maintenance of the State Catalog of archaeological artifacts; organization of their transfer to state ownership; assignment to scientific, cultural, and educational institutions or removal from use in accordance with established procedures;
protection of archaeological heritage sites; ensuring urgent research at endangered archaeological sites; conservation and museification of archaeological sites; and establishment of archaeological parks;
e) Cultural property in Uzbekistan and abroad
protection of cultural property, including coordination of the issuance and use of certificates for the export of cultural property from the territory of the Republic of Uzbekistan and its import into the country; conducting art expertise; determination of classification; maintenance of the State Register; and implementation of state control in the field of cultural property;
identification of cultural property related to the history and culture of Uzbekistan located abroad; creation and regular updating of a comprehensive database; and repatriation of originals or copies, as well as photographic and video materials;
publication of bibliographic collections, catalogs, book albums, information bulletins, and other printed materials in various languages based on scientific research and analytical findings; wide dissemination through mass media and the global Internet network; and cooperation with international and foreign organizations.
Official Internet Pages of the Cultural Heritage Agency