Addresses delivered in the general policy debate by the Head of Delegation at the General Conference

36 session of the General Conference

H.E. Mr Karomatullo Olimov, Chairperson of the National Commission for UNESCO

Speech delivered during the General Policy Debate of the 36th session of the General Conference and posted as received

35 session of the General Conference

H.E. Mr Karomatullo Olimov, Chairperson of the National Commission for UNESCO

“(…) Allow me, on behalf of the delegation of Tajikistan to express our gratitude to Mr Koïchiro Matsuura (…). We also congratulate Ms Irina Bokova, (…) on her election to the post of Director-General of UNESCO (…).”
“UNESCO’s links with Tajikistan have increased considerably in recent years (…). The research conducted by UNESCO with Tajik scientists and the implementation of projects on the Tajik national park, the ancient city of Sarazm and the ancient centre of Buddhist culture in central Tajikistan Ajina-tepe not only have value as research but are also of enormous significance for the implementation of UNESCO’s policy in the fields of science and culture.”
“By a decree of the President of the Republic of Tajikistan Emomali Rakhmon, 2010 has been proclaimed Year of Education and Technical Knowledge, coinciding with the Year of Science and Innovations in the CIS countries. We believe that the sphere of education (…) must be considered, as in the past, to be one of the priority lines of emphasis of UNESCO’s action.”
“The development goals formulated in the United Nations Millennium Declaration are the establishment and improvement of the social and economic infrastructure (…). In endeavouring to meet these goals UNESCO has performed a great deal of work and is continuing to do so.”
“The hydropower projects completed in Tajikistan are intended to solve the country’s energy crisis. There is therefore no reason to dramatize the situation regarding these projects: the discussion should focus on other worrying phenomena such as global warming (…).”
“The issue of the preservation of the cultural heritage, which is one of the priority lines of emphasis of UNESCO, is of great significance at present. In Tajikistan, conditions are being established, in accordance with UNESCO’s ideals, for the preservation of cultural diversity and the raising of national awareness. (…) In Dushanbe recently, an international symposium was held on the initiative of the President of the Republic to mark the 1310th anniversary of the birth of Imam Abu Hanifa whose teachings played an important role in the establishment of tolerant relations within Islam and between different confessions.”

34 session of the General Conference

Mr Olimov Karamatullo, Chairperson of the Tadjik National Commission for UNESCO

The country welcomes Singapore and Montenegro among UNESCO Member States.
The Parliament of Tajikistan has ratified the Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions; the Conventions on the intangible heritage and against doping in sport are currently being considered in the Parliament.
Tajikistan supports UNESCO’s efforts to improve basic and quality education and is satisfied with the work of the Associated Schools network.
Tajikistan is proud to celebrate together with UNESCO the 800th anniversary of the birth of the classical author of oriental and world literature, Maulana Jalal-ud-Din Rumi and the celebration of the 1150th anniversary of the great poet and founder of Persian-Tajik literature, Abu Abdullah Rudaki.
The Government is also very interested in developing science and advanced technologies in education. A National Bioethics Commission was created along with UNESCO Chairs.
Tajikistan is working towards safeguarding its intangible heritage and cultural monuments. Thanks to the Government of Japan and to UNESCO, the site of Ajina Tepe is now secure. Considerable preparations are being done to complete the World Heritage nomination of the Silk Road.
“Our delegation fully supports the proposed strategies and budgets, and also the report by the Director-General, Mr Matsuura, which testifies to his tireless efforts, for the sake of UNESCO’s increased authority, for the implementation of huge programmes on education, the sciences and culture.”
“We are satisfied with the work of UNESCO Headquarters and its Almaty Cluster Office in regard to effective collaboration and we consider as opportune […] the need to encourage the National Commissions and natural-science research institutes and laboratories in the CSI countries.”
“Tajikistan is presenting its candidature for the Intergovernmental Council of the International Hydrological Programme for the first time.”

Celebration of anniversaries

1150th anniversary of the birth of Muhammad Zakariyā Rāzī (also known by his Latinized name: Rhazes or Rasis), physician, chemist and philosopher (866-925) (joint nomination by Iran (Islamic Republic of) and Tajikistan) (2016)

Muhammad Zakariya Razi, the renowned Persian physician, chemist and philosopher was born in Ray, in the Southern part of the Iranian capital, Tehran, in 866 AD. His works in medicine, chemistry and philosophy gained world renown to the extent that George Sarton, the founder of the history of science, named him “The Greatest Physician of Eastern World and the Medieval Ages”. His discoveries of Alcohol and Sulphuric Acid brought him the world title of “The Father of Chemistry”. In addition to Chemistry, Razi had world fame in Medical sciences. His knowledge in this area of science was such that in order to write his Canon of Medicine, Avicenna used Razi’s book of “al-Hawi fi al-Tibb” as reference. Razi was the first to differentiate smallpox from measles.
Razi played a significant role in promoting knowledge across borders. He contributed to the evolution of medical sciences, chemistry and philosophy in the world, and beyond doubt, Razi is an important figure of ninth-century science, history and medicine.

100th anniversary of the birth of Gafar Valamat-Zade, choreographer (1916-1993) (with the support of Kyrgyzstan and the Russian Federation) (2016)

Choreographer, screenwriter, director and producer of operas and films, Gafar Valamat-Zade Rustamovich (9 May 1916-12 December 1993) was the founder of modern Tajik national choreography.
Valamat-Zade received much recognition for his work throughout his career, including awards in Tajikistan, the Russian Federation, Mongolia, Ukraine, and other European countries.

1250th anniversary of the birth of Hakim at-Tirmizi, scientist (755-56? -869) (with the support of Afghanistan, India and Kazakhstan) (2016)

According to scholars, he is the first and, up until the time of Ibn al-Arabi, the only mystic author whose writings present a broad synthesis of mystic experience, anthropology, cosmology and Islamic theology. At-Tirmizi’s system of thought is representative of an old Islamic theosophy which had not yet consciously assimilated elements from the Aristotelian-Neoplatonic philosophic tradition.
Al Hakim at-Tirmizi's scientific and creative activity is closely connected with his travels to other countries and cities. He visited Balkh, Nishapur, and Baghdad, where science and culture reached its zenith, and he met famous scholars and took part in discussions. His work lends new ideas to modern understanding of religion and inter-cultural faith.

3000th anniversary of the foundation of Hisor town (2015)

Occupying a convenient geographical location with a good climate in Hisor Valley, the ancient town of Hisor has long been a densely populated area in Tajikistan. The town is an important cultural and economic centre in the Republic of Tajikistan. The inhabitants of the town are described to have always led a typical cultural life of the Central Asian region. Therefore, the Tajik people also consider their town a crossroads of regional cultures. In an effort to safeguard and promote the history and the historical objects of this ancient town, the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan issued a decree on 1 March 2012 concerning the celebration of the 3000th Anniversary of Hisor, which will be held on 10 September 2015, and requested UNESCO’s association. The proposed celebration, for which a national action plan has also been adopted, will also be participated by various governmental and non-governmental organizations, scientists and the civil society. Given the importance attached by the government, this anniversary would have a strong national impact in the country and, therefore, would help UNESCO to raise its visibility.

600th anniversary of the birth of Abd ar-Rahman Jami, poet, philosopher and humanist (1414-1492) (with the support of the Islamic Republic of Iran) (2014)

Abd ar-Rahman Jami is major national figure, with regional scope. He is recognized as a major poet as well as a thinker within the traditions to which he contributed.

700th anniversary of the birth of Mirseyed Ali Hamedani (1314-1385), mystic and poet (Islamic Republic of Iran and Tajikistan, with the support of India and Pakistan) (2014)

Mirseyed Ali Hamedani was a Persian Sufi, a poet and a prominent Muslim scholar. Born in a noble family in Hamadan (Islamic Republic of Iran), he travelled far and wide throughout the Muslim world and beyond. Hamedani was one of the principal historical figures who shaped the culture of Kashmir, both architecturally (fusion of Central Asian and Kashmiri architecture), and also through the flourishing of arts, crafts and hence the economy in the valley. The skills and know-how he brought to Kashmir gave rise to an entire industry. A mystic and a social reformer, Hamedani was also a man of letters; he wrote about a hundred pamphlets in Arabic and Persian on subjects related to Sufism, ethics, etc.; the book Zakhirat-ul-Maluk has been published in several languages. He ended his life in the city of Kulob in the Khatlan region of Tajikistan, where people still today gather in a large numbers to pay homage to him. The proposed event “Mir Saeed Ali Hamadani and Civilization of Peace” is well conceived; the anniversary proposal is jointly submitted by two Member States (Islamic Republic of Iran and Tajikistan) with the support of India and Pakistan.

100th anniversary of the birth of Ziyodullo Shahidi, composer (1914-1985) (2014)

Ziyodullo Shahidi formalized modern Tajik music and became known as an outstanding figure of this form of synthesis. His first chamber instrumental pieces, such as Rondo (1948), Concert for piano & violin (1949), were inspired by the search for new forms, styles, and expressions of modern music. His constant dream to transform maqams into symphony was realized during the early 50s, gradually changing his style of thinking and developing his musical identity. Driven by his enlightening character to draw the attention of his countrymen to symphonic thought, his composition was based on the interpretation of the original classical cycle Shashmaqom within the modern European harmony. His original contribution to that combination was based on the idea of the interconnectedness of common and universal thoughts of both traditions. In the wisdom of maqam tradition and symphonic thought, Ziyodullo Shahidi saw not the contradictions of musical traditions, but the harmony of being and the eternity of love.

100th anniversary of the birth of Mirzo Turzun-Zoda, poet (1911-1977) (2011)

Mirzo Tursun-Zade (1911-1977) was an important poet and a prominent political and public figure, who has been elevated to the level of national hero of Tajikistan. The town of Tursunzoda is named in his honour. Poems Khasan Arbakesh, The Voice of Asia, The Eternal Light brought to the poet great popularity and recognition. In 1960, Tursun-Zade was given the honorary title of Laureate of the Lenin Prize.

1150th anniversary of the birth of Abu Abdullah Rudaki, poet (858-941) Supported by Afghanistan, the Islamic Republic of Iran and Kazakhstan (2008)

Abuabdullo Rudaki, also written as Abdullah Jafar Ibn Mohammed, Rudaki Rudagi or Rudhagi (858-c.941) was a poet, founder of Persian classical literature and the first great literary genius of modern Persian language. He composed poems in the "New Persian" Perso-Arabic alphabet script. He was born in Rudak, a village in Transoxiana, what is now Panjakent in Tajikistan.

2,700th anniversary of Kulob-city (2005)

Kulob is located in the Pamir Mountains and played a major role in the intercultural and trade exchanges of the Silk Road. There are several historical testimonies of the city’s contribution to the development of the arts, sciences and spirituality in Central Asia.
Over centuries, it has been a place for dialogue among peoples and varied civilizations.
This old city is therefore mentioned in most of the volumes of the History of Civilizations of Central Asia published by UNESCO. The celebration of this anniversary will help raise public awareness, particularly among youth, on the rich cultural heritage of the region and contribute to its preservation and promotion.

1000th anniversary of the birth of Abdulmuiddin Nosiri Khosrav (2003)

Abdulmuiddin Nosiri Khosrav was a prominent Tajik philosopher and poet. He left more than 40 treaties, and has had a significant impact on both Greek and Islamic philosophy. He was actively instrumental in the promotion of tolerance and intra-religious understanding and peace.

2500th anniversary of the foundation of Ura-Tube city (2002)

Istravshan (known as Ura-Tube in history) is one of the most ancient cities of Tajikistan founded in Sogdiana in the fifth to the fourth centuries BC. Its rich agricultural and mineral resources, and its situation on the main trans-Asian route from the Near and Middle East to the heart of Central Asia, played a considerable role in the development of its own historical and cultural identity even if it was closely linked to Sogdiana by its historical destiny and ethnic, linguistic and cultural history. During many centuries Ura-Tube was a major city and a place of interaction and exchange between various civilizations (cf. “Silk Road”) which have more than 100 archaeological monuments located in and around the modern town.

3000th anniversary of Zoroastrian culture (2002)

The 3000th anniversary corresponds roughly with the consolidation of the Zoroastrian doctrine and ideas put into writing in the Avesta, a body of Scriptures and rituals which spread from the heart of Central Asia to Iran, India, the Middle East, North Africa and Europe and played a considerable role in the development of other religions, mostly Mazdaism, Manicheism, Gnostic trends in Christianity and Islam, Buddhism and Yazidism (the latter followed by many Kurds). The spiritual interactions that resulted are not always well known outside of restricted academic circles so this anniversary would provide an opportunity to shed light on this tradition not only in Tajikistan but also in other parts of the world.

Five hundred and forty-fifth anniversary of the birth of Kamal al-Din Behzad (Uzbekistan and Tajikistan) (2001)

The Timurid period and the florescence of the Herat school (fifteenth century) was characterized by a refining of the artistic language of the miniature that led to a golden age of painting. It was associated, first and foremost, with the work of the Herat school and with the painting of Behzad and the artists of his circle who perfected the artistic resources and techniques of the genre. The fundamental discovery in his miniatures was the necessary relationship between all elements of the composition, within which man became the centre of the picture.
Kamal al-Din Behzad stands out clearly as a key figure in the overall development of the art of the miniature and is a renowned figure in Central Asia. Those of his works that have survived reveal a great master who, on the one hand, brought to a successful conclusion the fundamental creative experiments undertaken in the painting of the preceding period and, on the other, was the initiator of new processes which to a considerable extent were to determine the development of the miniature in Central Asia throughout the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries.

Ninetieth anniversary of the birth of Mirzo Torsonzade (2001)

Mirzo Torsonzade (1911-1977) is a recognized poet and public figure in Tajikistan. He is internationally acknowledged as a great dramatist for his poetry, his many other literary works and his film scripts. He is also loved and admired by all peoples of the East, especially Persian speakers. His works have been translated into several languages.
Mirzo Torsonzade was, for 30 years, President of the Union of Writers of the Republic of Tajikistan and President of the Committee for Peace and Solidarity of the Peoples of Asia and Africa. He was responsible for the organization of several symposiums and inaugurated many historic monuments.

Eightieth anniversary of the birth of Muhammad Asimov (August 2000)

For 16 consecutive years, until his assassination in July 1996, Muhammad Asimov was President of the International Scientific Committee for the drafting of a History of the Civilizations of Central Asia, published by UNESCO in six volumes, in English. He was also co-editor of Volume IV (in two parts) called “The Age of Achievement: AD 750 to the End of the Fifteenth Century”, together with Professor C.E. Bosworth (United Kingdom).
Muhammad Asimov, an eminent philosopher and scientist, set up the International Association for the Study and Cultures of Central Asia, to which he dedicated his life’s work; he also shared his wealth of historical, philosophical and scientific knowledge by writing internationally recognized articles and books. He contributed to spreading the influence of the literature and culture of the peoples of Central Asia by organizing international scientific symposiums.

Nine hundred and sixtieth anniversary of the birth of Omar Khayyam (May 2000)

The work of this great philosopher, mathematician and poet of universal renown has been of immense historical and cultural significance for peoples of Persian and other culture.

Ninetieth anniversary of the birth of the scientist from Tajikistan Bobojon Gafurov (December 1998).

Since a young state is involved in this instance, and in view of the considerable merit of Bobojon Gafurov in the scientific field and the important contribution which he made to the development of culture in the world, an exception can be made to the rule requiring that the anniversary be a centenary or a multiple thereof.
Gafurov was an eminent scientist and academician, and founder of the International Association for the Study of the Cultures of Central Asia (IASCCA), which is concerned with the progress of archaeological and/or historical research in the region.
Gafurov deployed immense efforts on behalf of peace and the strengthening of mutual understanding between peoples; he was the instigator of the ‘History of Civilizations of Central Asia’ project in six volumes, three of which have already been published by UNESCO.