“Al-Ahram Weekly”: Uzbekistan reclaims its status as a global cultural hub
Egyptian publication “Al-Ahram Weekly” has published an article titled “Uzbekistan’s cultural renaissance: How the Silk Road Civilization is reclaiming its voice on the global stage”, highlights the country's cultural revival, the development of the creative economy and the expansion of international cultural cooperation, reports Dunyo IA.
Publication notes that for centuries, Uzbekistan sat at the very heart of the Great Silk Road, connecting the civilizations, religions and cultures of Asia, the Middle East and Europe and today, it is once again capturing the attention of the global community.
According to Gayane Umerova, Head of the Department of Creative Economy and Tourism of the Administration of the President of Uzbekistan, under the initiative of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, culture, tourism and the creative economy are envisioned as fundamental pillars of the nation’s future, alongside infrastructure and industry. This approach, as noted, defines the state mandate to open Uzbekistan to the world and to welcome the world back to Uzbekistan.
Publication highlights that the nation's strategy extends beyond restoring historical sites to establishing new cultural platforms, including the Bukhara Biennial, the Center for Contemporary Art in Tashkent, the future Jadid Heritage Museum and international exhibition participation. This approach signifies a multifaceted cultural development policy.
Publication separately underscores the development of the creative economy and its nexus with cultural diplomacy and the nation’s investment attractiveness. It notes that every major cultural initiative in Uzbekistan is originally designed with a strategic focus on tourism development and investment attraction, including the “Samarkand Express” project, implemented in partnership with the Italian company “Arsenale Group”.
Publication also highlights the international acclaim received by Uzbekistan’s cultural projects, including the nation’s “Garden of Knowledge” pavilion at “Expo 2025 Osaka”, which was honored with the prestigious “Red Dot: Best of the Best” award.
Particular emphasis is placed on the preservation of Uzbekistan’s Islamic heritage, the advancement of museum infrastructure and the implementation of projects aimed at integrating historical legacy into the contemporary cultural context, including the Bukhara master development plan designed by the “Wilmotte & Associés” architectural bureau.
A dedicated section of the article focuses on Uzbekistan’s cultural cooperation with Egypt and the Arab world. It notes that the sides are discussing prospects for interaction in the fields of museum management, tourism, and cultural heritage preservation, alongside the development of institutional partnerships.
According to the publication, a highly symbolic milestone was the election of Professor Khaled El-Anany as Director-General of UNESCO during the 43rd session of the organization’s General Conference, which took place in Samarkand.
In conclusion, it underscores that Uzbekistan is envisioned as a nation that remains profoundly loyal to its traditions while simultaneously advancing modern cultural and creative industries, thereby strengthening international cultural cooperation.
“Uzbekistan–Indonesia” Tourism Forum held in Jakarta
Diplomats of the Embassy of Uzbekistan organized the “Uzbekistan–Indonesia” Tourism Forum, which included direct G2B and B2B negotiations, as well as a national cultural and gastronomic presentation, reports Dunyo IA.
Indonesia is the largest economy in Southeast Asia with a population of 285 million and the most populous Muslim country in the world, where over 87% of the inhabitants practice Islam. Every year, more than 1.8 million Indonesians perform Umrah to Saudi Arabia. A 30-day visa-free regime is in effect for citizens of Indonesia entering Uzbekistan, and the number of Indonesian tourists who visited the country in the first five months of 2026 grew by 63.4% compared to the same period last year.
Forum was attended by the leadership of the relevant ministries and departments of Indonesia, leaders of national tourism associations, tour operators and airlines, representatives of business circles and representatives of local and foreign media.
Deputy Minister for Marketing of the Ministry of Tourism of Indonesia, Ni Made Ayu Marthini and the Special Representative of the Minister for Hajj and Umrah Affairs Muhammad Hasan Afandi, participated in the work of the forum.
Ni Made Ayu Marthini noted the reforms of Uzbekistan to transform tourism into a strategic driver of the economy, the introduced visa-free regime, the “open skies” policy at airports, and the development of tourism infrastructure, declaring readiness to expand direct air communication and tourism exchanges between the countries.
Muhammad Hasan Afandi noted the unique status of Uzbekistan as the cradle of Islamic civilization, emphasizing the significance of shrines associated with the names of Imam al-Bukhari, Imam at-Tirmidhi, Imam al-Maturidi and the seven saints for Indonesian Muslims and stated the support for the “Umrah Plus Uzbekistan” program by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah Affairs of Indonesia.
Forum was also attended by the heads of the leading tourism associations of Indonesia - “ASITA”, “AMPHURI”, “ASTINDO”, “ASTAGATRA RI”, “ASPHURINDO” and “KBB Haji” and from the Uzbek side - a delegation of the Tourism Committee, heads of six major tour operators, representatives of the “Qanot Sharq” airline and the “Shodlik” State Song and Dance Ensemble.
Within the framework of the forum, a presentation of the historical and cultural heritage and tourism infrastructure of Uzbekistan was organized, including the shrines of Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva, Termez and Tashkent, the Imam Bukhari Memorial Complex, Center of Islamic Civilization, Mus’haf of Uthman in the Hazrati Imam Complex, Bahauddin Naqshband Complex, as well as halal food standards, the availability of prayer rooms, and the capabilities of the “Afrosiyob” high-speed trains.
Six Uzbek tour operators presented Indonesian partners with ready-made tour packages - ranging from express transit tours to classic pilgrimage routes and programs across Khorezm and Khiva. The airline “Qanot Sharq” presented the capabilities for organizing direct charter and scheduled flights between Jakarta, Tashkent, and Samarkand.
One of the primary practical results of the forum was the signing of memorandums of strategic cooperation between the tourism structures of the two countries, including between the six Uzbek tour operators and the “AMPHURI” association - on partnership in the field of pilgrimage tourism and the promotion of the “Umrah Plus Uzbekistan” program, as well as agreements with the “ASTAGATRA RI” and “ASITA” associations. The documents provide for the guaranteed booking of Uzbekistan's hotel stock at wholesale prices, quota allocations for tickets on the “Afrosiyob” train and the protection of the rights of Indonesian pilgrims.
Following the G2B and B2B negotiations, preliminary agreements were reached on dispatching over 12.5 thousand Indonesian tourists and pilgrims to Uzbekistan during the autumn-winter season of 2026 and the spring season of 2027, as well as on purchasing block seats on charter flights with four major consolidator tour operators.
An important role in the event was played by the cultural and gastronomic program - performances by the “Shodlik” State Song and Dance Ensemble, including the musical overture “Melodies of the Silk Road” and the “Lazgi” dance, as well as a presentation of national Uzbek palov, prepared by a chef specially invited from Tashkent, which were warmly received by the Indonesian guests.