President Islam Karimov receives head of UNESCO General Conference

President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov received President of the UNESCO General Conference Musa Bin Jaafar Bin Hassan at Oqsaroy residence in Tashkent on 14 August.

Islam Karimov expressed satisfaction with the development of cooperation between Uzbekistan and UNESCO.

"Announcement of Tashkent by ISESCO as the capital of Islamic culture in 2007 is a pleasant fact not only for the people of Uzbekistan, but also for all our friends in foreign countries," the head of the state said. "Your participation in the international conference 'Contribution of Uzbekistan to development of Islamic civilization' makes this forum even more important and influential."

Uzbekistan became a member of UNESCO in 1993. The organization opened its office in Tashkent in 1996. The cooperation with UNESCO includes a wide range of activities from preservation of ancient monuments to development of healthcare and education to introduction of high technologies.

Jointly with UNESCO, jubilees of Amir Temur, Mirzo Ulugbek, Ahmad al-Fargoni, Ismoil al-Bukhari, Kamoliddin Behzod, as well as cities of Bukhara, Khiva, Termez and Karshi, monuments of literature "Alpomish", "Avesto", and Khorezm Mamun Academy were widely celebrated on the international level.

The organization actively participates in revival and promotion of historical monuments in Uzbekistan, while cities of Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva have been included in UNESCO's World Heritage List.

Musa Bin Jaafar Bin Hassan gave a high evaluation to reforms in Uzbekistan in the economic, social and cultural spheres. UNESCO values relations with Uzbekistan and is ready to expand this cooperation, he said.

Islam Karimov and Musa Bin Jaafar Bin Hassan discussed perspectives of cooperation between Uzbekistan and UNESCO.