Samarkand To Host Asian Women’s Forum On May 13-14

On May 13-14 of this year, the Asian Women’s Forum will be held in the city of Samarkand on the topic “Regional approach to issues of economic, social and political rights of women and empowerment”.

According to the information service of the upper house of parliament, the initiative to convene this forum was proposed by the President of our country during the 78th session of the UN General Assembly. The aim is to harness the creative potential of women leaders across the region, facilitate the exchange of experiences to enhance their involvement in government, society, and the economy.

The forum is expected to welcome women parliamentarians, heads of government, representatives from government bodies and civil society institutions, businesswomen, political scientists, social activists, scientists, and representatives from various economic sectors. Participants will hail from East Asia, Southeast Asia, South Asia, and Central Asia.

Structured around 10 parallel sessions, participants will discuss issues of women’s participation in science, education and innovation, as well as the use of digital technologies, poverty reduction through women’s economic empowerment, involving them in entrepreneurship and innovation, and ensuring their leadership in the modern global economy.

Moreover, discussions will address women’s involvement in achieving Sustainable Development Goals. The focus will be on economic empowerment, the role of parliaments in encouraging women’s engagement in business and society, gender-responsive budgeting, equitable access to financial opportunities, and combating all forms of violence against women and children.

Participants will also explore best practices and innovative approaches by non-governmental organizations in promoting a green economy, addressing the gender impacts of climate change in the region, and safeguarding the rights and interests of women.

The forum aims to conclude with the adoption of the Samarkand Declaration.

The UN General Assembly unanimously approved the resolution initiated by Uzbekistan

At the initiative of Uzbekistan, 2027 will be declared the International Year of Sustainable and Resilient Tourism.

At the UN Headquarters in New York City, the General Assembly of the Organization unanimously approved the Resolution “2027 – the International Year of Sustainable and Resilient Tourism”.

Over 80 member countries of the Organization are co-authors of the resolution initiated by the Republic of Uzbekistan.

Experts from leading countries such as Russia, China, the United States, Türkiye, Germany, the United Kingdom, the EU delegation, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Egypt, Brazil, and Argentina actively participated in the consultations to agree on the document’s text. Representatives of UN member states noted the timeliness and relevance of the presentation of this resolution.

The main goal of the document is entirely based on the thesis put forward by the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev at the Samarkand session of the UNWTO General Assembly in October 2023 on the sustainability and flexibility of the tourism sector to new problems and challenges of our time.

The resolution enshrines the principles voiced by the President of Uzbekistan on the vital role of tourism in preserving the rich cultural heritage of various civilizations, strengthening peace and tolerance, and respecting peoples’ values.

Particular attention is paid to developing green tourism to preserve the environment and biodiversity and reduce air pollution.

The document resolves to announce 2027 as the International Year of Sustainable and Resilient Tourism and calls on UNWTO and governments, UN agencies, and regional organizations to take comprehensive measures for its successful implementation.

The resolution highlights the importance of developing sustainable tourism, including ecotourism, which can contribute to achieving the SDGs, economic growth, full employment, rural development, and improving the livelihoods of rural people.

The resolution encourages all stakeholders to actively promote sustainable and resilient tourism as an essential tool for poverty eradication, promoting the participation of women, youth, older persons, and persons with disabilities, expanding economic opportunities, and creating decent jobs and income sources.

The document resolves that UNWTO will inform the UN General Assembly at its 83rd session (2028) on the implementation of this resolution, with particular attention to the assessment of the implementation of the International Year.

According to experts, the resolution put forward by Uzbekistan will mark the beginning of a new stage in the development of the tourism industry at the global level.

The international folklore festival “Boysun Spring” will held in Uzbekistan

The international folklore festival “Boysun Spring” is held once every two years in Boysun District, Surkhandarya Region, Uzbekistan.

This festival, which is planned to be held on May 1-7 this year, includes a newly established 6-hectare area located in the “Bibishirin” neighborhood of Boysun district (a modern hotel with 110 seats, a center for 100 seats of artisans, a modern amphitheater with 3200 seats, fortresses of 15 districts) and it is planned to be held at a tourist destination.

The modern tourism complex in “Bibishirin” neighborhood, where the main events of the international festival will be held, is organizing all facilities for the wide display of performances of folklore-ethnographic groups, national sports games and other various shows.

This year, preparations are being made to hold the festival in a completely new spirit, which will bring together performers of the world’s folklore and ethnographic art, folklorists and industry experts in the heart of beautiful mountains.

It was decided to hold the festival on May 1-7, when the spring breeze is blowing in the heart of the mountains in order to make the international festival more attractive, to share the national festive mood with locals and foreigners, and to increase the tourism potential of the ancient oasis.

This gives a great opportunity to familiarize everyone with the rich programs of our elegant folklore-ethnographic communities, national sports games and other various performances, as well as to widely demonstrate the performances of local and foreign artists participating in the international competition of the festival, and to hold it at a high artistic level.

Improving the state infrastructure within the framework of the festival

50 light construction stalls and sanitary hygiene stations are being established based on a model project on the M-39 international highway of the Sherabad-Boysun route. At the same time, conditions are being created for tourists at roadside including car gas stations, and promotional banners for holding a holiday event are being installed on the roadside. Accommodation facilities and food stalls located along the road in Boisun district are being improved and beautified. Ornamental trees and flower seedlings are being planted in Boisun district.

Cultural entertainment and sports events held within the framework of the festival

This year’s festival is being held in a completely different way than previous ones.

Initially, an international scientific-practical conference will be organized in the city of Termiz. National (Tandir Kebab Festival) meals, national craft exhibitions, national costume exhibitions will be held on the basis of the established program within the days of the folk art holiday;

Drone, Drift and Auto shows will be held;

Concert programs of regional folklore ensembles, as well as concert programs of folklore-ethnographic ensembles of our capital and regions;

A bicycle marathon will be held (with the participation of 400 cyclists) on the roads of the mountainous district “Khojamaykhana;

“Press tour” and open-air press conference will be held for foreign and local journalists.

A traditional air balloon festival (20 air balloons) will be held;

At the same time, travel route is organized within 1-5 days for foreign and local tourists, trips to destinations such as “Omonkhona” healing spring water, Khoja Sultan Vali, Kamari Aziz, Khojakochkor Ota shrines, Zovboshi, Kyzil canyon, archaeological sites and historical monuments of the region are planned to visit.

In addition, the festival guests will be able to enjoy flying of kites, ram, rooster fights, tug-of-war and other ethno-sports competitions, wrestling, and goat-hunting competitions. The unique ancient arts of the peoples of the world will delight everyone in the competition of international folklore-ethnographic teams.

At the moment, it is planned to involve multiple countries in the international competition of famous folk groups from 20 countries such as Great Britain, Belgium, Israel, Russia, Belarus, Azerbaijan, Romania, Pakistan, United Arab Emirates, India.

Plus, about 100,000 local and 5,000 foreign tourists are expected to visit this festival. In order to create favorable conditions for visitors, there are a total of 11 hotels (500 beds), 95 family guesthouses (900 beds), 5 hostels (101 beds), 5 hostels (700 beds) in Boysun district.

116 vehicles (2,201 seats) are ready to serve guests. In addition, 408 vehicles (with 6201 seats) were prepared for the region.

The headquarters of the festival keeps receiving requests from foreign countries to participate in the international competition in order to demonstrate and represent the ancient art of their countries at the festival.