The event was also attended by Gabriela Ramos, Deputy Director General of UNESCO for Social Sciences and Humanities, heads and staff of the permanent Missions of Kazakhstan, China, Azerbaijan, Oman, Mongolia, Yemen and other member countries of the organization.

The Deputy Head of UNESCO, Gabriela Ramos, presented a report on the Great Silk Road program and shared plans for the near future.

The presentation provided information about the photo contest "The Great Silk Road through the eyes of youth", the youth research grant "The Great Silk Road", the international network of persons responsible for the Great Silk Road program and the thematic collection of cultural exchanges "The Great Silk Road", currently being implemented within the framework of the program.

The Deputy Director General of UNESCO also drew attention to the participation of the Great Silk Road program in the implementation of other international initiatives, paying special attention to cooperation projects with Uzbekistan.

In particular, such joint projects as the organization of the International Cultural Forum "Central Asia at the Crossroads of World Civilizations" in Khiva on September 14-15, 2021, as well as the holding of a concert and an international exhibition dedicated to the life and work of the great scientist Abu Rayhan Beruni at the organization's headquarters in Paris on September 4-8, 2023, were highly appreciated.

It was noted that the logical continuation of this cooperation is the work on the establishment of the UNESCO - Uzbekistan Abu Rayhan Beruni International Prize for the promotion of scientific communication through the promotion of ethics in the field of artificial intelligence.

Considering that the 43rd session of the UNESCO General Conference will be held in 2025 in the city of Samarkand, historically located at the crossroads of the Great Silk Road, it was proposed to organize an additional event (side-event) dedicated to the activities of this program within the framework of the conference.

Representatives of the countries who spoke at the meeting gave a positive assessment of the activities of the Great Silk Road program, emphasizing the need to further accelerate activities to attract the general public and demonstrate its results.

The Permanent Mission of Uzbekistan noted the importance attached to the further development of mutual cooperation with countries located on the Great Silk Road, and expressed readiness to actively participate in this program in the future.

Uzbekistan's interest in participating in the photo contest "The Great Silk Road through the eyes of Youth", the youth research grant "The Great Silk Road, the international network of persons responsible for the Great Silk Road program and the thematic collection of cultural exchanges "The Great Silk Road" within the framework of the program was noted.

The participants of the meeting were informed in detail about the practical work being carried out in the republic to prepare for the 43rd session of the UNESCO General Conference, which will be held in Samarkand in 2025. It was announced that the UNESCO Great Silk Road program will provide all necessary assistance in holding an additional event within the framework of the upcoming conference.

The UNESCO Great Silk Road Program was founded in 1988 to explore the rich history and common heritage of this ancient route of trade, scientific and cultural exchange, as well as to explore the influence of various cultures.

Within the framework of the Great Silk Road program, initiatives are being implemented to restore and expand cooperation formed through this historical network in the digital environment.

On April 6, 2023, the 35th anniversary of this program was widely celebrated at UNESCO headquarters.