DUSHANBE, 11.09.2020. (NIAT Khovar) – Yesterday, the Minister of Culture Zulfiya Davlatzoda attended the 17th Ministerial Meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization via video conference.

The meeting participants discussed the development of cultural and humanitarian cooperation, and support for cultural institutions during a pandemic. They also exchanged views on the implementation of the agreements reached within the ministers’ past meetings.

It was proposed to declare 2021 as the Year of SCO’s Culture as part of the celebration of the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the organization.

The importance of the implementation of joint cultural events and the need to further deepen cultural dialogue in bilateral and multilateral formats, the development of joint online projects in the theatrical, museum and library spheres were also expressed.

The ministers confirmed their interest in mutual participation in large-scale cultural projects of the SCO member states, expressing their readiness to encourage and support cooperation in the field of protection and restoration of cultural heritage sites, organization of exhibitions, joint archaeological works, and protection of cultural monuments of the SCO member states.