DELHI, December 11. /Dunyo IA/. The seventeenth element of Cultural Heritage of Uzbekistan has received worldwide recognition - today, the Karakalpak Yurt was unanimously inscribed on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO, reports Dunyo IA correspondent.

This historic decision was made in New Delhi during the 20th session of the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan jointly submitted the nomination to inscribe the dwellings of the nomadic Turkic peoples- the Yurts - on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

The inclusion of the Karakalpak Yurt is a landmark event of profound socio-political and cultural significance, not only for Uzbekistan as a whole but especially for the Republic of Karakalpakstan, highlighting the enduring value of nomadic traditions in shaping the country’s national identity and heritage.

The Karakalpak Yurt (“Kara Uy”) is a unique example of vernacular architecture, distinguished by its distinctive structural design, intricate ornamentation, and symbolism that reflect the worldview, aesthetics, and natural living conditions of the Karakalpak people. Its international recognition contributes to the preservation and promotion of national identity.

This achievement serves as a striking testament to the consistent and successful efforts of Uzbekistan’s leadership to advance its rich cultural and humanitarian heritage on the global stage. It underscores the country’s openness and commitment to the principles of safeguarding world heritage.

The inclusion of the Karakalpak Yurt was made possible thanks to the dynamically developing cooperation between Uzbekistan and UNESCO in recent years. This partnership reached a new level, particularly following the 43rd session of the UNESCO General Conference, held in the historic city of Samarkand in October–November of this year.

With this new achievement, the Karakalpak Yurt has become the seventeenth element of Uzbekistan’s cultural heritage to be inscribed on various UNESCO lists, reaffirming the country’s status as one of the key centres of world civilization along the Great Silk Road.

Over the past seven to eight years, the partnership between Uzbekistan and UNESCO has resulted in the inclusion of several significant elements of both intangible and natural cultural heritage on UNESCO’s lists. For instance, at the 20th session of the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, traditional knowledge and skills associated with the making and performance of the Karakalpak Kobyz were inscribed on the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding.

The inscription of the Karakalpak Yurt continues this successful effort, aimed at preserving not only monumental sites but also living traditions and skills passed down through generations—the very heart and soul of the people.

This milestone opens new opportunities to enhance the tourism appeal of Karakalpakstan and Uzbekistan as a whole, to promote scientific research, and to support master craftsmen engaged in the creation of yurts. It also facilitates the transmission of traditional skills to younger generations, ensuring the longevity of this cultural phenomenon.

The inscription of the Karakalpak Yurt on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity represents international recognition of this historical legacy and guarantees the preservation of a unique symbol of nomadic culture.