Dr. Salim AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), affirmed that culture embodies the identity of peoples and forms a cornerstone of civilization. He emphasized that ICESCO, through its various programs and initiatives, works to preserve and valorize both tangible and intangible heritage in the Islamic world, employing the latest technologies and techniques in this regard.

This was stated in his recorded address during the opening of the International Scientific Conference titled “The Art of Bakhshi in New Uzbekistan: Contemporary Research and Future Prospects,” held as part of the fourth edition of the International Bakhshi Art Festival in Khiva, Uzbekistan (April 26–28, 2025), and attended by around 200 participants from more than 40 countries.

Dr. AlMalik added that ICESCO has inscribed the Uzbek art of Bakhshi on its Islamic World Heritage List, in recognition of the esteemed status of this ancient art in Uzbekistan’s history, its artistic value, its connection to pivotal transitional periods in Uzbek history, and its role in safeguarding collective memory and strengthening national identity.

The ICESCO Director-General praised Uzbekistan’s rich heritage, stating:
“In every stone of Uzbekistan’s ancient cities, history pulses with life, and heritage speaks in a thousand tongues, yet always whispers with the same spirit: the spirit of the Uzbeks — unbroken and unforgotten.”

Dr. AlMalik concluded his address by referencing the celebration of Samarkand as the 2025 Capital of Culture in the Islamic World, as part of ICESCO’s Capitals of Culture Program. This aims to enhance the city’s cultural wealth through the implementation of a rich and diverse program, including numerous activities and initiatives throughout the entire year.