The Ministry of Higher and secondary education of the Republic of Uzbekistan The Uzbekistan state World Languages University

Chapter II. UZBEKISTAN - UNESCO
2.1. A NEW STEP TOWARDS A FRUITFIL PARTNERSHIPBETWEEN UZBEKISTAN AND UNESCO

Among the important ideas put forward by the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan ShavkatMirziyoyev in his speech at the 75th anniversary session of the UN General Assembly, the initiative to hold the international forum "Central Asia at the Crossroads of World Civilizations" in ancient Khiva in cooperation with UNESCO and expand areas of joint work is of particular importance with this organization. Today, the plans are being implemented, which is reflected in the resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers “On measures to strengthen the protection of tangible cultural heritage sites and territories included in the UNESCO World Heritage List” dated March 3, 2021.

As is known, the specialized agency of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization - UNESCO - was established on November 16, 1945 to develop technical and scientific cooperation and promote peace and security. It assumed the functions of cooperation between states and peoples in the relevant fields, as well as issues of protection of tangible and intangible cultural heritage.
The headquarters of the organization is located in Paris. It currently has 200 members. UNESCO has more than 60 departments and bureaus. The priority areas of the organization's activities are the development of cultural and humanitarian ties between peoples and states on the way to ensuring and strengthening peace and security, preserving and bringing to future generations examples of centuries-old material and intangible culture.
Relations between Uzbekistan and this organization, which has gained great prestige in the international arena, are actively developing. So, in 1993, our country joined the UN International Organization for Education, Science and Culture (UNESCO). And to unite all countries and organizations interested in the revival of the ancient transport artery, the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), together with UNESCO, held the first international meeting in Uzbekistan in 1994, during which the Samarkand Declaration on Tourism along the Silk Road was adopted. Recognizing the merits of our republic, located at the crossroads between West and East and being a conductor of the achievements of the human mind in the scientific, technical, cultural and spiritual fields, in 1997 the member countries elected it to the governing body - the Executive Council.
The activities of the organization in Uzbekistan are planned and managed by the UNESCO Tashkent Office in close cooperation with UNESCO headquarters, regional offices, as well as the National Commission of the Republic of Uzbekistan for UNESCO. The mission of the world organization also lies in the fact that cultural heritage also contributes to the sustainable development of the country through the creation of income opportunities, especially for women and youth. To this end, the Tashkent office provides support for the proper management of World Heritage sites in Uzbekistan, the protection and promotion of the country's intangible cultural heritage, and the development of cultural tourism.
So, in total, as of 2020, there are 8138 objects of material and non-material culture in the country. Of these, 4732 architectural monuments, 682 objects of monumental art, 580 places of pilgrimage and others. Preserving all these objects for posterity is the main task not only of the state, but also of the citizens of the republic.
There are five names of objects on the UNESCO World Heritage List in Uzbekistan. Four are included in the list according to cultural criteria: the historical centers of Khiva, Bukhara, Samarkand and Shakhrisabz, one according to natural - the Western Tien Shan (Chatkal Reserve). At the stage of inclusion - more than 30 objects. This means that these places have acquired the status of the property of all mankind.
Some cultural features of the country are included in the UNESCO intangible cultural heritage, including the Navruz holiday - the new year according to the Zoroastrian calendar, kattaashula - traditional chants in the Ferghana Valley and askiya - the art of wit, the Baysun cultural region, Uzbek pilaf, atlas and adras production technologies. .
Under the leadership of the state with the assistance of UNESCO, the 2500th anniversary of the cities of Bukhara and Khiva, the 2700th anniversary of Shakhrisabz and Karshi, the 2750th anniversary of Samarkand, the 2200th anniversary of Tashkent were solemnly celebrated. In addition, over the years of joint work with the organization, many large-scale initiatives have been implemented in the republic on issues of scientific research, popularization, rational use and preservation of material cultural heritage sites. These projects are fully supported by the international community. After all, ancient monuments with a long history testify that our country has been the cradle of science and culture since ancient times. The careful preservation of this heritage for future generations requires a high responsibility from each and everyone, as it is the property of not only the peoples of the region, but of all mankind.
The current state of affairs poses another important task for the specialists of the sphere: to preserve ancient monuments without interfering with economic processes and expanding the infrastructure of cities. Today, during the implementation of various kinds of work, including construction and restoration, in historical cities at the design stage, it is important to combine the preservation of historical and cultural monuments with sustainable development. Ancient cities should preserve their original appearance, while developing and being comfortable for living.
In this aspect, the state protects the heritage, supports civil initiatives and listens to the public. This is stated in the resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers dated March 3 this year, developed in accordance with the resolution of the head of state “On measures to improve the activities of the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Uzbekistan” dated May 26, 2020, as well as in order to implement the tasks set in the Message of President OliyMajlis.So, among the programs and plans approved by the document, there are three buildings in the capital, which are added to the number of objects of material cultural heritage. This is the chapel of St. George the Victorious, built in 1885; two-story residential building No. 7 on Babur Street, built in 1936; and the building of the Yakkasarayhokimiyat (the former palace of culture of shoemakers) of 1930.
The document also notes that the country has a positive experience in the field of restoration and bringing valuable architectural monuments into proper shape. For example, in 2016, Shakhrisabz was included in the List of World Heritage Sites in Danger. However, in 2018, at the 42nd session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee in the city of Manama (Bahrain), Uzbekistan, promising to strengthen the work on the preservation of historical sites, coped with the task: Shakhrisabz left this list, continuing to attract tourists.
All this testifies to the fruitful development of relations between Uzbekistan and UNESCO. The international organization not only draws attention to problems, but also helps in solving them, organizes events and projects in which domestic specialists exchange experience with foreign colleagues, and improve their skills. Also, when it comes to strengthening ties, preserving and passing on the heritage of culture and art to future generations, it should be especially noted that bilateral visits and meetings contribute to all this. A striking example is the meeting of the President of our Republic with the Director-General of UNESCO Audrey Azoulay, held on August 26, 2019 in Samarkand. Then the leader of the country noted the constructiveness of the dialogue and the strengthening of partnerships between Uzbekistan and UNESCO.
This harmonious and well-coordinated work continues to gain momentum and every day acquires new dimensions. The Decree of the Cabinet of Ministers “On measures to strengthen the protection of tangible cultural heritage sites and territories included in the UNESCO World Heritage List” provides for the comprehensive development of not only the sphere, but also institutions related to it, conducting various kinds of research and meetings. The document approved the organizational structure of the Department of Cultural Heritage of the Ministry of Culture and its central office with a total of 40 people.
The requirements for the program of measures for 2021-2022 to identify, record, protect, preserve, scientific research, popularize and rationally use objects of material cultural heritage, as well as improve the activities of the Department of Cultural Heritage are also detailed. They should be relevant and set as their goal the solution of specific tasks and problems.
The National Plan of the Republic of Uzbekistan for 2021-2030 was also approved to promote the inclusion of cultural and natural heritage in the UNESCO World Heritage List, the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, the World Memory List and the Regulation on the procedure for advanced training of master restorers in the field of real estate objects of tangible cultural heritage and the issuance of a qualification certificate to them.
All these decisions, according to representatives of the sphere, will allow Uzbekistan to start a new page in the history of traditional culture and conservation of antiquities. Indeed, along with the above changes, specialists have opportunities to generate ideas, initiate work and attract experts from different structures (for example, historians, archaeologists, architects, artists, and so on).
Thus, we can say that the main tasks of the document signed by the Cabinet of Ministers were the revival, development and promotion of the cultural heritage of the republic, in which the country has been assisted by the UNESCO Office in Uzbekistan for many years.
A lot of projects, international festivals and conferences, meetings and cooperation agreements have been conceived. And you can be sure that these initiatives will not keep you waiting.