LONDON: Saudi Minister of Culture Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan met Gayane Umerova, chairperson of the Uzbekistan Art and Culture Development Foundation, and Ozodbek Nazarbekov, Uzbekistan’s minister of culture, during the 43rd UNESCO General Conference in Samarkand on Tuesday.
Prince Badr congratulated Uzbekistan on hosting the conference and commended its role in global cultural dialogue, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
During his meeting with Umerova, he praised the organization of the Bukhara Biennale of Contemporary Art, which is running until Nov. 20.
Both sides discussed ways to strengthen cultural ties between Saudi Arabia and Uzbekistan, and highlighted their growing partnership in heritage preservation and artistic exchange.
Prince Badr praised Uzbekistan’s participation in the Riyadh International Book Fair in October, which showcased the country’s diverse craftsmanship and creativity. He also commended Tashkent for its contributions in 2023 and 2025 to the Islamic Arts Biennale in Jeddah through the loan of substantial Islamic art artifacts.
During a separate meeting, Prince Badr and Nazarbekov reaffirmed their ministries’ commitment to enhancing cooperation in cultural exchange, heritage preservation and the creative industries.
They also welcomed collaboration between the Diriyah Biennale Foundation and the Bukhara Biennale of Contemporary Art, which is displaying the Diriyah Biennale’s Al-Musalla Prize-winning design.
Prince Badr said that the Al-Musalla design of 2024, which presents a modern take on a musalla — an adaptable space for prayer and gathering — symbolizes cultural exchange between the two countries.
Al-Musalla was presented at the Islamic Arts Biennale in Jeddah from January to May, and subsequently exhibited at the 19th International Architecture Exhibition in Venice, before traveling to Bukhara.
Prince Badr thanked the Uzbek government for its warm hospitality and wished the country continued cultural growth and prosperity, the SPA added.
