Riyadh, October 7, 2025 — As part of the Riyadh International Book Fair 2025, overseen by the Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission, a dialogue seminar titled "Youth and Cultural Heritage: Preserving the Future" was held today, presented by Murshid Nishonov, a specialist at the Uzbek Ministry of Culture, as part of activities celebrating Uzbekistan as this year's guest of honor at the fair.

The seminar addressed the importance of young people's role in preserving cultural heritage and passing it on to future generations, highlighting Uzbekistan's experience in culturally and intellectually empowering its youth, and their growing role in promoting national identity through digital platforms and modern media.

Nishonov explained that culture serves as a mirror of nations, noting that Uzbek youth have become ambassadors for their country's heritage through the cultural and creative content they produce, reflecting Uzbekistan's civilization, rich in history and the arts. He added that the Uzbek Ministry of Culture is working to support and empower young people through advanced educational and technical programs that help build their creative and technical skills.

He noted that the ministry places special emphasis on applying artificial intelligence in the cultural field, through initiatives that strengthen young people's skills in analyzing heritage and using digital tools to preserve and share it globally, stressing that the goal is to prepare a conscious generation equipped with critical thinking, creativity and technical knowledge capable of competing internationally.

Nishonov also spoke about the cultural openness Uzbekistan is experiencing, noting the country's commitment to exchanging expertise with nations around the world and strengthening cooperation in culture, education and the arts. He explained that Uzbek youth have become increasingly drawn to self-directed learning and engagement with global cultures, as part of a national vision to position Uzbekistan among the leading countries in culture and education.

Closing the seminar, Nishonov praised the strong relationship between Saudi Arabia and Uzbekistan, describing Saudi Arabia as a model for joint Islamic cultural cooperation, and noting that the two countries share closely aligned values and visions that help build strong civilizational bridges. He also invited fair visitors to explore the Uzbek pavilion to learn about the country's heritage, arts and civilization, saying that Uzbekistan's selection as guest of honor at the Riyadh International Book Fair reflects the depth of cultural and human ties between the two nations.