Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- On 28 October, a trilateral meeting was held aimed at further expanding cooperation in the field of tourism between the Minister of Culture and Tourism of the People’s Republic of China Hu Heping, the Secretary General of the UN World Tourism Organization Zurab Pololikashvili and the Minister of Ecology and Environmental Protection environment and climate change Aziz Abdukhakimov.

At the meeting, A. Abdukhakimov noted the importance of the visit of the Minister of Culture and Tourism of the People’s Republic of China H. Hepin to Uzbekistan and that the meeting would not only serve to determine the prospects for bilateral cooperation in the field of tourism, but also determine joint actions within the UNWTO.

The Chinese side especially noted that Uzbekistan is a strategic partner in the field of tourism. H. Heping was informed about the work being done to increase the mutual tourist flow, the development of tourism infrastructure in the republic, and the benefits provided to investors in the tourism sector of Uzbekistan. In turn, the Chinese side expressed special gratitude for including Uzbekistan in the list of recommended countries for visiting by tourist groups from China in March 2023.

It is worth noting that between Uzbekistan and China, currently 3 airlines, Uzbekistan Airways, China Southers Airlines and Loongair, operate 11 flights per week. During the meeting, an exchange of views took place on expanding the number of flights in the future. The Chinese side was invited to modernize the republic’s regional airports on the basis of public-private partnership.

In addition, issues of cooperation in the framework of organizing initiatives voiced by the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan at the 25th session of the UNWTO General Assembly were considered. It was also agreed that a delegation of the Tourism Committee of Uzbekistan would visit China to study Chinese experience in the field of tourism and develop sound proposals and draft tourism development strategies until 2030.

In turn, Hu Heping expressed gratitude for the organized high-level meeting and the warm hospitality extended to the Chinese side. At the same time, he noted that the 25th session of the UNWTO General Assembly was successful and productive, in connection with which confidence was expressed that the proposals and initiatives put forward by the President of Uzbekistan would serve to strengthen cooperation not only within the Organization, but would also be useful for effective solutions current problems in the field. Taking into account the importance of expanding trilateral cooperation between China, Uzbekistan and the UNWTO, the Chinese Minister noted that it is advisable to consider the possibilities of implementing proposals and projects put forward by Uzbekistan within the framework of the “One Belt - One Road” project. H. Heping proposed promoting the possibilities of eco, green, intellectual and cultural tourism in Uzbekistan as the most popular tourist destinations among Chinese tourists. He also stated that he is ready to expand cooperation in developing special tourism products and routes for Chinese tourists, training personnel and guides.

In turn, UNWTO Secretary-General Z. Pololikashvili expressed sincere gratitude to Uzbekistan for organizing the anniversary session of the General Assembly at a high level in Samarkand and emphasized that he would begin to implement the proposals and initiatives put forward by the President of Uzbekistan at the UNWTO session immediately upon returning to Madrid.

In addition, the Secretary General put forward a trilateral cooperation initiative, including inviting Chinese teachers and specialists to the UNWTO International Academy of Tourism, which opened in Samarkand. He also proposed that, jointly with the recently created UNWTO thematic office in Samarkand and leading experts from China, they develop new projects on the topic “Tourism on the Silk Road” and include the tourist centers of Uzbekistan in the international tourism alliance of the cities of the Silk Road.

Following the meeting, the parties agreed to organize a trilateral meeting in a similar format in China in 2024.