Uzbek President Islam Karimov received Musa Bin Jaafar Bin Hassan, the president of the General Conference of UNESCO, at the Oqsaroy presidential residence on 14 August.

While welcoming the guest, the head of state noted the consistent development of cooperation with UNESCO, which promotes peace and stability in the whole world by strengthening mutual relations between countries and nations in education, science and culture. He also stressed that all the important events, which have great significance in Uzbekistan’s social life, were held in close cooperation with this international organization.

"The fact that Tashkent has been declared a capital of Islamic culture in 2007 by ISESCO [the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization] is a joyful event not only for the whole Uzbek nation but for all our friends abroad," Islom Karimov said. "Your participation in an international conference entitled ’Uzbekistan’s contribution to the development of Islamic civilization’, which is being held on this occasion, increases this forum’s significance and expands its scope of influence."

Hassan praised reforms being carried out in our country’s economic, social, cultural and educational life since independence. He noted that UNESCO highly assessed cooperation with Uzbekistan, which has ancient history, great historical, cultural and scientific heritage. He stressed that the organization was ready to fully develop these relations in the future as well. The guest expressed gratitude to the president for the sincere reception.

During the meeting, a comprehensive exchange of views on the prospects for cooperation between Uzbekistan and UNESCO was held.