Dr. Salim M. Al-Malik, Director General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), and Mr. Nazarbekov Ozodbek Ahmedovich, Minister of Culture of the Republic of Uzbekistan, held a meeting to discuss the preparations for the celebration of Samarkand as Culture Capital in the Islamic World for 2025 as part of ICESCO’s Culture Capitals of the Islamic World Programme.

During the meeting, which took place on Friday, November 15, 2024, at ICESCO’s pavilion at COP29, in Baku, Dr. Al-Malik affirmed that the celebration of Samarkand as the Culture Capital in the Islamic World, to be organized under the patronage of H.E. President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of the Republic of Uzbekistan, will be a great opportunity to showcase the city’s cultural and historical heritage to the world.

For his part, Nazarbekov Ozodbek Ahmedovich stressed the Ministry’s willingness to collaborate with ICESCO, as per the directives of the President, to implement various programs throughout 2025, in cooperation with the relevant parties in Uzbekistan.

The two parties agreed that each part prepares its own celebration program, and then a joint committee will devise the comprehensive strategy and program of the celebration, in coordination with the National Commission for Education, Science and Culture of Uzbekistan.