BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 14. Uzbekistan and
UN Tourism have agreed to jointly prepare for the official opening
of the International Year of Sustainable and Resilient Tourism
2027, with Tashkent set to host the opening ceremony in November
2026.


This was reflected in the statement by the Committee on Tourism
of Uzbekistan, following a meeting between Uzbekistan Tourism
Committee Chairman Abdulaziz Akkulov and UN Tourism
Secretary-General Shaikha Al Nowais in the United Arab
Emirates.


The sides discussed strengthening strategic cooperation between
Uzbekistan and UN Tourism, promoting sustainable tourism
principles, improving the competitiveness of tourism destinations,
developing human capital and expanding international and regional
cooperation.


A key outcome of the meeting was the signing of an agreement on
holding the official opening ceremony of the International Year of
Sustainable and Resilient Tourism 2027. The document provides a
legal and organizational framework for preparations for the event
and coordination between Uzbekistan and UN Tourism.


The ceremony is expected to take place in Tashkent in November
2026 on the sidelines of the Tashkent International Tourism Fair
“Tourism on the Silk Road.”


Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev proposed holding the
opening ceremony in Uzbekistan during a meeting with UN Tourism
leadership on April 1, 2026.







Hosting the ceremony is expected to give Uzbekistan a platform
to promote sustainable and resilient tourism internationally and
strengthen its role in shaping the global tourism agenda during the
2027 international year.


The meeting also covered the development of a Safe Tourism Code
initiated by Mirziyoyev. Al Nowais said the process is under her
personal oversight and that work with governments and international
experts on the initiative is being accelerated.


"During the meeting, the Secretary General also said that the
process of developing a Code of Safe Tourism, initiated by the Head
of State, is under her personal control. According to her, work
with states and international experts in this area is currently
accelerating," the committee said.


The initiative is intended to further strengthen international
cooperation on tourism safety while supporting the development of
more resilient tourism systems.