PARIS, May 7. /Dunyo IA/. Festive events dedicated to the International Day of Vesak were held at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris. For the first time, the Permanent Delegation of Uzbekistan participated as a co-organizer, alongside delegations from 14 other states, reports Dunyo IA correspondent.

The celebration was attended by representatives of the organization's member states, the diplomatic corps, as well as prominent figures in culture and the arts.

The participation of the Uzbek side served as a logical continuation of the implementation of decisions from the 43rd session of the UNESCO General Conference, held in Samarkand. The organization of such thematic events was included in the General Conference agenda last November, following the decisions of the UNESCO Executive Board, reflecting the international community's growing commitment to fostering cross-cultural understanding and respect.

The event emphasized universal values of peace, mutual respect, and harmonious coexistence, highlighting the importance of preserving cultural diversity and advancing inter-civilizational dialogue.

Special attention was given to Uzbekistan's historical and cultural heritage as one of Central Asia's oldest centers of spiritual and cultural exchange. In particular, participants noted the presence of unique Buddhist archaeological complexes in the Surkhandarya region, including Kara-Tepe, Fayaz-Tepe, and Dalverzin-Tepe, which stand as a testament to centuries-old traditions of religious and cultural coexistence.

It was emphasized that the preservation and promotion of these sites contribute to the development of cultural and educational tourism, the expansion of international interest in Uzbekistan's historical heritage, and the creation of new tourist routes.

Readiness was expressed to continue actively supporting initiatives aimed at developing international cultural cooperation, promoting the values of peace and mutual understanding, and unlocking the country's tourism potential.

A special element of the cultural program was a gastronomic presentation of Uzbekistan's national cuisine. In particular, participants were invited to taste traditional Uzbek pilaf - a dish included in the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2016.