UNESCO Conference in Samarkand: A Milestone for Uzbekistan and Global Dialogue
This week, I had the honour of attending the opening ceremony of the UNESCO conference in Samarkand — an inspiring event that brought together delegates from around the world to discuss cultural heritage, sustainability, and the future of international cooperation.
I was fortunate to join the delegates this week and stay in Samarkand during the first days of the conference, which allowed me to experience first-hand the exceptional organisation, warm hospitality, and the depth of discussions that make Uzbekistan a true centre for intercultural dialogue. My warmest congratulations to all colleagues in Uzbekistan for hosting such a world-class event, both in terms of content and execution.
It was wonderful to see so many friends and colleagues there, and I was especially happy that, for the first time in my 20-year work with BBC News, I was joined by my colleagues from BBC Studios. They were conducting interviews with conference participants, and I hope to see the results of their work soon.
The subject and timing of the UNESCO conference in Samarkand were extremely important — and I don’t think it was a coincidence that the media showed such strong interest in the event. I had the pleasure of spending time with my colleagues from Uzbekistan‘s TV channels, and I hope the interviews I gave were of interest to their audiences.
After 35 years living in the United Kingdom, I’ve learned a lot about European values and deeply appreciate UNESCO’s focus on culture, education, and youth — areas closely connected to my professional work and interests. In today’s world, innovation and digitalisation have also become an integral part of this agenda, shaping how we tell stories, share knowledge, and connect people across borders.
I am also proud that we launched an international advertising campaign on BBC News TV dedicated to the UNESCO Conference in Samarkand. You can currently see the video promo running on BBC News, and I invite you to watch it here.
A special word of gratitude goes to our partners from the Uzbekistan Art and Culture Development Foundation. This year, we began our collaboration on a series of meaningful projects — and the UNESCO conference has become one of the most remarkable among them. Samarkand has once again shown how culture can connect nations, inspire progress, and shape the global narrative for the years ahead.
Hospitality in Uzbekistan is something truly magical — and it’s wonderful to see that the world is becoming increasingly aware of it. The number of tourists visiting Uzbekistan continues to soar, and this year has been a record breaker.
I’m proud that together with my colleagues from BBC News, BBC Studios, BBC StoryWorks, and DARS Film Studio, we continue to promote Uzbekistan as a global tourism destination.
This time, I was not only able to speak about the country’s incredible hospitality — I had the privilege of experiencing it firsthand together with my colleagues from London. It means so much when it’s not just photos and stories, but when the taste, atmosphere, and spirit of a place are shared.
As someone who has been working across Central Asia for more than three decades, I have seen the region’s extraordinary transformation from emerging economies to vibrant cultural and innovation hubs. If you are interested in learning more about Uzbekistan’s role, opportunities, and partnerships within this dynamic region, I will be glad to share insights and answer your questions in the comments below.
Sergey Stanovkin 