Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- From 10 to 25 September 2023, the 45th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee is being held in Riyadh (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia).

The Committee reviewed new nominations for the World Heritage List based on an assessment by the International Council for the Conservation of Monuments and Sites.

Based on the results of consideration of nominations, the Zarafshan-Karakum corridor of the Great Silk Road was included in the World Heritage List.

“Inclusion of the Zarafshan-Karakum Silk Road corridor on the World Heritage List is recognition of the unique historical and cultural value of the site. The committee’s recommendations provide a broad outline of the management plan, the creation of a coherent strategy and the implementation of site management systems for visitors - their implementation will be an important step towards preserving the historic heritage for future generations. We fully support the recommendations and will participate in improving the skills of personnel, involving the local population in the management and preservation of the Zarafshan-Karakum corridor,” Gayane Umerova, Chairman of the Art and Culture Development Foundation of Uzbekistan and the National Commission of the Republic of Uzbekistan for UNESCO, said.

The Zarafshan-Karakum Silk Road Corridor, included in the World Heritage List, consists of 31 sites located in three countries. 9 objects are located in Tajikistan, 15 are located on the territory of modern Uzbekistan and the rest on the territory of Turkmenistan.

“This is extremely important not only for Uzbekistan and Central Asia, but also for the history of the whole world. The reason is that new, perfect objects are enriched with samples of world culture. This is a reality that does not always take place in human history. The Zarafshan-Karakum corridor is so important that it is included in a single serial transnational nomination in the field of cultural and natural heritage. This is a valuable project because it involves several states working together to inscribe a number of sites on the World Heritage List. In fact, this is an achievement recognized by most states. At the moment they are listed as 195 countries. So today the efforts of Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan are appreciated by 195 countries. Because each object is considered like a unique pearl. We need to take care of them, preserve them, but without competent management and approach to each site, it is not so easy to include it on the World Heritage List. Behind these works are many researchers and scientists, as well as an entire state that carefully preserves its heritage. If we take all these processes as a kind of formula, then we have learned this lesson from our ancestors. That is why we need to preserve them in their original form and pass them on to our generations. In this, of course, the state plays the main role. Here I would like to emphasize once again that the applause that we heard today is worthy and not only of the high-ranking monuments included in the World List, but also of the countries that have made every effort to preserve them in this guise,” - Dmitry Voyakin , Director of the International Institute for Central Asian Studies.

All objects in different eras were located on one of the most important trade routes in history - the Silk Road and show the centuries-old history and rich cultural and historical heritage of the region.

The initiator of the project was the National Commission of the Republic of Uzbekistan for UNESCO, which also performed a coordinating function.

“We are glad that a number of historical sites of Uzbekistan are included in the World Heritage List. This is important for Uzbekistan. The fact is that Uzbekistan is considered one of the countries located on the Great Silk Road, and from a historical point of view is a unique region. Also for UNESCO, Uzbekistan is an important country. Our relations have become very productive, especially in recent years. The cooperation covers all our priority areas: science, education, culture. I witnessed that the head of your state is taking all measures to preserve the cultural and historical heritage and pass it on to the next generation. Most of your cities are proof of this. In the near future, it is expected that our relations will move to a new level. We are very happy about this," Ernesto Ottone, Deputy Director General of UNESCO, noted.

The nomination was prepared with the assistance of the International Institute of Central Asian Studies and the Agency for Cultural Heritage and regional khokimiyats of Bukhara region and Navoi region.