AKIPRESS.COM - President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev received UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay on March 12, UzA reported.

The parties discussed further developing of productive cooperation and practical aspects of preparing for and hosting the 43rd session of the UNESCO General Conference, which is set to take place in Samarkand this autumn.

The current high level of multifaceted partnership was noted with satisfaction.

At Uzbekistan's initiative, UNESCO has adopted resolutions on access to information and children's education.

Uzbekistan has become a member of the International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property. Bukhara has joined the UNESCO Creative Cities Network, and a UNESCO Chair has been established at the Silk Road International University of Tourism and Cultural Heritage in Samarkand.

Last year, the implementation of seven new projects in education, culture, digital, and innovative technologies began.

The Deserts of Turan and the Zarafshan-Karakum Corridor, the arts of silk weaving, ceramics, playing rubab, and iftar traditions, as well as the Chancellery of the Bukhara Emirate, the Turkestan Album, and the Photo Album of Khudoybergan Devonov, have been included in UNESCO's special lists.

Samarkand will host the 43rd session of the UNESCO General Conference. This will be the first time in 40 years that the session will be held outside the organization's headquarters in Paris, and it will coincide with UNESCO's 80th anniversary.

UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay praised the fruitful cooperation with Uzbekistan and expressed gratitude to the President of Uzbekistan for the extensive preparations for the upcoming event.

Agreements were reached on further expanding practical cooperation programs and continuing close collaboration in organizing forums and events on the sidelines of the 43rd session of the UNESCO General Conference.