The past week has been marked by truly historic events for the city of Samarkand.

Over the course of several days, this ancient yet vibrant city became a focal point for global politics, the business world, and humanitarian initiatives. These events not only bolstered Uzbekistan’s standing on the international stage but also once again showcased the high level of culture and hospitality of the city’s residents. On October 18, the head of our state visited Samarkand to inspect transport infrastructure and modern urban development projects. On October 19, the second meeting of the “Uzbekistan-America” Business and Investment Council took place, attended by the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoev, along with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Special Representative of the U.S. President Sergio Gor, and representatives from leading American companies and banks. During the meeting, a package comprising 54 agreements and promising initiatives—with a total value of nearly 12 billion dollars—was established. A comprehensive action plan was developed to ensure their implementation. Additionally, on October 19, a ministerial dialogue in the “Central Asia – U.S.” (C5+1) format was held. The Foreign Ministers of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, and Tajikistan also arrived in Samarkand to participate in these events. On the sidelines of the proceedings, the Head of State held meetings with the U.S. Secretary of State and the Foreign Ministers of the Central Asian nations, discussing significant regional and international issues. The first meeting of the Uzbekistan–U.S. Enhanced Strategic Partnership Dialogue took place, attended by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and  Uzbekistan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bakhtiyor Saidov. During the ministerial meeting in the “Central Asia – U.S.” (C5+1) format, the priority areas for cooperation between the United States and the Central Asian states were discussed. On October 21–22, the global summit titled “Investing in Child Well-being: A Path Toward Sustainable and Equitable Development for Future Generations” and the 2nd International Congress on Pediatric Oncology were held. These events were attended by representatives from the UN, the World Health Organization, the World Bank, UNICEF, and other prominent international organizations, as well as delegates from over 100 countries and the First Ladies of several nations. Following the summit, the “Samarkand Declaration on Investing in Child Well-being” was discussed. The establishment of a global network to support children suffering from serious illnesses was announced in Samarkand. Due to these events, vehicular traffic on the streets of Samarkand was periodically restricted. Throughout this process, the residents of Samarkand demonstrated a high level of decorum in hosting international conferences, contributing significantly to the successful execution of these events. “At times, traffic congestion occurred on the streets, causing inconvenience to our fellow citizens as they headed to work, school, or other daily destinations. Yet, even in such moments, they responded with the characteristic hospitality for which the people of Samarkand are known. On behalf of the regional administration, we express our gratitude to all the residents of Samarkand who made a meaningful contribution to the high-level success of these events,” says Rustam Kobilov, a deputy governor of the Samarkand region, responsible for matters concerning the visits of official delegations. The exemplary conduct displayed by the residents of Samarkand during these international conferences served as a crucial factor in shaping the image of our nation. Through its hospitality, Samarkand has once again proven that any political or social objective can only achieve great results when supported by the unity and backing of the people.