Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Uzbekistan

Greetings to the participants of the meeting!

Dear friends!

Esteemed members of the delegation!

On behalf of the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Uzbekistan, I am honored to congratulate you on the occasion of the next meeting of the cultural ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member states. I would like to express my gratitude to the organizers for their warm reception and sincere arrangements for this event.

I would especially like to highlight an important event – the accession of the Republic of Belarus to the SCO. We warmly congratulate our Belarusian colleagues and believe that their participation will breathe new life into our cultural cooperation.

The Shanghai Cooperation Organization is not only an international structure but also a powerful cooperation tool that helps strengthen ties among member states. The cultural traditions and uniqueness of our countries have invaluable potential to strengthen mutual understanding and trust, which in turn contributes to the stable development and prosperity of our peoples.

Culture is the language we speak to each other, regardless of our origin and position on the world map. It expresses our distinct characteristics while uniting us in common values such as humanity, tolerance, and respect for diversity. The SCO countries share rich cultural and artistic heritage, which serves as an inspiration and source of creativity for each of us.

In recent years, we have seen an increasing need to strengthen cultural ties between the peoples of different countries. For example, the cooperation in the fields of culture and art between our countries has reached a new level over the past three years.

In particular:

• On April 11-14, 2018, Uzbekistan hosted Belarusian Culture Days;
• During these days, concerts featuring Belarusian artists, film screenings, and photo exhibitions were held;
• From July 29 to August 1, 2019, Uzbekistan Culture Days were held in Minsk and Bobruisk, Belarus;
• Events included concerts at the Belarusian State Philharmonic and the V.I. Dunin-Martsinkevich Drama and Comedy Theater in Bobruisk, and the unveiling ceremony of the Alisher Navoi bust in Minsk;
• From August 26-30, 2019, Belarusian officials participated in the "Sharq Taronalari" International Music Festival held in Samarkand;
• In July 2019, the leadership of the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Uzbekistan took part as honorary guests at the opening ceremony of the "Slavianski Bazaar" International Art Festival in Vitebsk, Belarus;
• From September 14-16, 2021, representatives of Belarus participated in the "Central Asia – At the Crossroads of World Civilizations" International Cultural Forum in Khiva;
• In July 13-18, 2022, Uzbekistan participated in the 31st "Slavianski Bazaar" International Art Festival in Vitebsk, Belarus;
• In December 11-14, 2022, Belarusian representatives attended the next forum of CIS scientists and creative intellectuals in Tashkent;
• From April 12-15, 2023, the "Uzbekistan Culture Days" were held in Minsk.

Cultural cooperation not only helps preserve and promote our unique cultural heritage but also strengthens peace and mutual solidarity among our peoples. This is especially important in our times, when the world faces many challenges and changes.

In this context, participation in the "Slavianski Bazaar" International Art Festival has become a symbol of cultural unity and friendship between nations. This festival, among other things, emphasizes large-scale humanitarian exchanges within the SCO and encourages further improvement of joint event plans and the development of new projects.

The Republic of Uzbekistan actively supports the idea of expanding cultural exchange and implementing joint projects within the SCO. The organization plays a crucial role in advancing cultural dialogue between its member states. I am confident that our joint efforts to promote cultural cooperation will not only strengthen peace and stability in the region but also create conditions for the sustainable development and prosperity of our peoples.

The proposals and initiatives presented at this forum will serve to further develop mutual cooperation, as well as bilateral and multilateral relations among the SCO member states.

I am confident that our participation in this great event will be another step forward in strengthening our cultural ties.

In conclusion, I would like to emphasize that cultural dialogue is not merely about exchanging knowledge and experience; it is the foundation for creating a more harmonious and sustainable world. Let us continue working together to strengthen mutual understanding and trust within the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, making culture the bridge that connects our peoples.

Thank you for your attention, and I wish fruitful work and new achievements to all participants of the meeting!

Thank you for your attention!