From November 12 to 15, 2025, the International Congress “Central Asia: Shared Spiritual and Educational Heritage – Shared Future” was held in Tashkent (Republic of Uzbekistan). The large-scale event was attended by Peter Mikhailovich Lapo, Deputy Director of the S. Qaniyev Scientific Library of the Kazakh National Women’s Teacher Training University.
The main goal of the congress was a comprehensive discussion of the shared spiritual and cultural heritage of the peoples of Central Asia, as well as its significance for the present and future of the region. The forum brought together religious leaders, scholars, representatives of the creative community, educational institutions, and specialists from libraries, museums, and archives of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Azerbaijan.
Alongside plenary sessions, the congress featured thematic panels and forums dedicated to the material culture and spiritual heritage of Central Asia, the preservation of Islamic values, work with ancient manuscripts and digital archives, cultural heritage in documentary filmmaking and cinema, the creativity of regional artists, the role of youth and artificial intelligence, literary cooperation, as well as new media formats and international partnership.
One of the key events of the congress was the opening of a new Quran Hall at the Center for Islamic Culture, which features a unique manuscript of the Mushaf of Uthman. In addition, the event included the presentation of the international award “Heritage of the Future,” granted to distinguished figures of the arts.
The International Congress “Central Asia: Shared Spiritual and Educational Heritage – Shared Future” concluded with the adoption of a final declaration emphasizing the need for joint efforts by the countries of the region and Azerbaijan to preserve common values and to create a space where enlightenment serves as the foundation of peace and development.
