The high-ranking guest was welcomed by officials from the Government of Uzbekistan and the regional administration.

For Audrey Azoulay, who has led the organization since 2017, this session will be her final one as UNESCO Director-General.

The new Director-General of UNESCO will officially take office in Samarkand.

Khaled Al-Anani, the 54-year-old Egyptian who was nominated after winning the election at the 222nd session of the Organization's Executive Board, will be formally confirmed for the role.

In an interview with the "Dunyo" news agency on the eve of the Samarkand forum, Director-General Audrey Azoulay emphasized, “At a time when divisions risk overshadowing dialogue, this conference must be a reminder that our future is interconnected”.

It is worth recalling that the 43rd session of the UNESCO General Conference will be held in Samarkand from October 30 to November 13, marking the first time in four decades that the event has taken place outside of Paris.