President of Uzbekistan proposes UNESCO Media Literacy Strategy

The 43rd session of the General Conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) opened in Samarkand. It brought together heads of state and government, leaders of international organisations, and delegations from around the world.

Speaking at the solemn ceremony, President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev emphasised the country's role as a bridge between East and West, North and South, as reported by the head of state's press service.

"In recent years, Uzbekistan, as an equal member of UNESCO, has been taking consistent steps aimed at raising interaction with the organisation to a qualitatively new level. In particular, the five-year cooperation programme until 2027 is being effectively implemented"

Shavkat Mirziyoyev President of Uzbekistan

The leader put forward a number of initiatives for further expanding cooperation within the organisation. Among them are the establishment of the UNESCO International Institute of Digital Heritage and the launch of the "UNESCO Ecological Capital" initiative. He also proposed declaring 19 November as the International Day of Documentary Heritage.

The President paid particular attention to the fields of science and technology. In particular, Mirziyoyev proposed creating a UNESCO platform for the development of inclusive education for children with special needs, holding a World Summit on Teachers, and an International Forum of Experts on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence under the auspices of the organisation.

He named countering the spread of unreliable information in the virtual space as another priority. According to him, a comprehensive strategy for the development of media literacy should be developed within UNESCO.

Mirziyoyev recalled that about 20 objects of Uzbekistan's intangible cultural heritage have been included in the UNESCO list. The opening ceremony concluded with a concert featuring works of Uzbek classical music and world heritage performed in a contemporary style by a symphony orchestra, choir, and national ensemble.

Photo:  press service of the President of Uzbekistan