First Lady of Uzbekistan visits Paris with Saida Mirziyoyeva

First Lady of Uzbekistan Ziroat Mirziyoyeva visited Paris alongside her eldest daughter, Assistant to the President Saida Mirziyoyeva. Their visit was confirmed by photos shared on social media by Saida Mirziyoyeva.  

Accompanied by UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay, the Mirziyoyevs attended an exhibition at UNESCO headquarters dedicated to Khudoybergan Devonov, the first professional photographer and cinematographer in Central Asia.  

The exhibition, organized by the Uzbekistan Foundation for the Development of Culture and Arts, features 34 photographs and will run until April 4.

“We always strive to showcase our country from unique perspectives, revealing unexpected facets of Uzbekistan. Each event sparks genuine interest, allowing people to discover our nation in a new way,” Saida Mirziyoyeva wrote.  

She noted that many of the photographs in the collection, part of a vast archive, are being displayed for the first time—both in Uzbekistan and abroad. The images capture rare moments from the past, depicting daily life in Khorezm, its customs, architecture, and people.

A formal ceremony was also held at UNESCO headquarters in Paris to mark the signing of an agreement between the Government of Uzbekistan and UNESCO. During the event, Samarkand was officially designated as the host city for the 43rd session of the UNESCO General Conference.  

“This is a great honor and responsibility for us, as this conference has not been held outside Paris for the past 40 years.  

It is the result of the hard work of the creative industry, public diplomacy, and high-level agreements. It reflects the global community’s growing interest in Uzbekistan’s openness, unique traditions, cultural heritage, rich history, music, and literature.  

Through culture and art, we are strengthening our country’s presence on the international stage, forging closer ties with people around the world. These connections translate into economic collaborations, joint projects, and shared ideas.  

Welcome, UNESCO! See you in Samarkand!” Mirziyoyeva wrote.  

It is worth noting that on March 12, President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev met with UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay during his state visit to France.