Uzbekistan Launches Global Initiative to Promote Central Asian Heritage

The proposal builds upon an agenda introduced by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev at the 2025 United Nations General Assembly, seeking to bridge the gap between ancient manuscript preservation and modern digital scholarship. Dr. Firdavs Abdukhalikov, who leads the Center for Islamic Civilization in Uzbekistan, outlined plans to establish an international scientific consortium. This network will leverage artificial intelligence to analyze historical sources and facilitate broader access for scholars worldwide.

Central to this effort is the Center for Islamic Civilization in Tashkent, which houses the Uthman Quran—a cornerstone of the UNESCO Memory of the World Programme. Since opening in March 2026, the 15,000-square-meter facility has become a focal point for international partnerships. By combining physical collections with advanced digitization laboratories, the institution serves as a hub for cross-border academic exchange. Key figures from the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies, ICESCO, and IRCICA participated in the Paris event, signaling a commitment to expanding the visibility of Central Asian history within the global intellectual landscape.