PARIS, February 12. /Dunyo IA/. The Permanent Delegation of Uzbekistan to UNESCO organized a meeting with Lazare Eloundou Assomo, Director of the UNESCO World Heritage Centre, reports Dunyo IA correspondent.

The main purpose of the meeting was to discuss concrete mechanisms for implementing the initiatives proposed by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan during the historic 43rd session of the UNESCO General Conference in Samarkand, as well as to further deepen cooperation between Uzbekistan and UNESCO World Heritage Centre in the protection and preservation of the country’s cultural heritage.

Lazare Eloundou Assomo emphasized the timeliness of these initiatives and their significant potential contribution to safeguarding cultural heritage both in Uzbekistan and internationally.

Director of the UNESCO World Heritage Centre also expressed gratitude for the organization of the opening of the 25th session of the General Assembly of States Parties to the World Heritage Convention in Samarkand in November 2025 and for Uzbekistan’s chairmanship of this important event.

Special attention was given to the joint implementation of initiatives related to the development and adoption of the UNESCO Executive Board decision “On strengthening measures for the preservation of cultural heritage in the context of globalization and climate change” and the organization of an international symposium on this topic in Khiva in 2027.

Highlighting the relevance of these initiatives in the context of the high vulnerability of cultural heritage sites worldwide to the negative impacts of climate change, Lazare Eloundou Assomo confirmed the readiness of the UNESCO World Heritage Centre to support their implementation.

Director of the UNESCO World Heritage Centre endorsed Uzbekistan’s intentions to develop a Comprehensive Strategy for the preservation of cultural heritage in the country, as well as master plans for the historic cities of Samarkand, Khiva and Shakhrisabz, taking into account leading international practices and UNESCO standards. Lazare Eloundou Assomo assured that the organization is prepared to provide advisory assistance to Uzbekistan in these processes.

Within the framework of the forthcoming Comprehensive Strategy, integrated measures will be included to train and build the capacity of local specialists in the preservation, conservation, restoration and management of cultural heritage sites.

Particular attention was given to strengthening cooperation in the restoration and preservation of architectural and archaeological monuments in Uzbekistan. This included discussions on the prospects for joint implementation of projects to restore the Poi Kalon architectural ensemble and establish an open-air archaeological museum at the “Shahristan” site in Bukhara.