Security and Cooperation in Europe, the Organization of the Islamic Conference, the European Since gaining independence, the Republic of Tajikistan has been officially recognized by 150 countries of the world. For more than 30 years, the Republic of Tajikistan has been building strong relations with influential international organizations - the United Nations, the Organization for Union, the Commonwealth of Independent States, the Eurasian Economic Community, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and others - that occupy a special place in the foreign policy of the Republic of Tajikistan. It should be noted that mutually beneficial cooperation has introduced Tajikistan to the world community, familiarized it with its foreign and domestic policy of a democratic and rule-of-law state. The above organizations, having established productive cooperation with Tajikistan, have provided support and contributed not only to the achievement of peace, but also to the preparation of post-war reconstruction projects and supporting the development of the country's economy.

One of such influential global organizations was UNESCO, which the Republic of Tajikistan joined on April 6, 1993 with the aim of developing and preserving the rich heritage of the Tajik people and familiarizing the world community with Tajik history and culture.

31 years have passed since the Republic of Tajikistan joined UNESCO and 17 years have passed since the creation of the National Commission of the Republic of Tajikistan for UNESCO. The Commission strives to achieve the goals of UNESCO and is a link in the constant dialogue between governments and civil society of different countries. It brings together people engaged in various spheres of public life. Such a representative membership testifies to the importance that Tajikistan attaches to UNESCO and its activities for the preservation of peace through science, culture and education.

A special place in this endeavor is given to the highlighting of eminent personalities, works of science and art or events that have made a significant contribution to the mutual enrichment of cultures, contributing to the development of international understanding and the rapprochement of the peoples of the world.

Since 1956, UNESCO has been participating in commemorations of historic events and anniversaries of eminent personalities celebrated by Member States of the organization in order to give them world significance, which is a very important milestone for universal culture. One of the positive results of co-operation between the Republic of Tajikistan and UNESCO has been the inclusion of a number of dates in the UNESCO Anniversary List, which are the following: 1150th anniversary of the founder of Tajik-Persian classical literature Abuabdulla Rudaki (2009); 100th anniversary of the jubilee of Soviet Tajik folk poet Mirzo Tursunzoda (2009); 100th anniversary of the Soviet Tajik composer Ziyodulla Shahidi (2014); 600th anniversary of Tajik-Persian writer and poet, philosopher and musicologist, humanist and public figure Mavlana Abdurahmani Jami (2014); 3000th anniversary of the ancient city of Hissar (2015); 700th anniversary of the Tajik-Persian poet, scientist, philosopher and mystic Mir Sayyid Ali Hamadani (2015); 100th anniversary of the founder of Tajik choreography, director and producer of operas and Tajik dances of the Soviet era Gafar Valamatzade (2016); 1250th anniversary of the Tajik-Persian thinker and scholar Hakim Tirmizi (2016); 1150th anniversary of the Tajik-Persian scientist-encyclopaedist, physician, alchemist and philosopher Zakiriyo Razi; 400th anniversary of Tajik poet and educator Mirobid Sayyido Nasafi (2018); 700th anniversary of the great Tajik poet Kamoli Khujandi (2020) and others.

Each of these dates is the pride of the Tajik people, who have made a significant contribution to the world's cultural treasury. Through close cooperation between the Republic of Tajikistan and UNESCO since 1992, UNESCO's “Memory of the World” Program has raised awareness worldwide of the existence and significance of heritage, promoted preservation through the most appropriate methods and facilitated universal access to information and knowledge. According to the program, documentary heritage belongs to all and should not only be fully preserved and protected, but also permanently accessible to all. Because this heritage contains the collective memory of contemporary societies, nations and regions, as well as a memory common to all humanity.

From our republic, the UNESCO’s “Memory of the World”Program list includes the works of Ubaid Zakani ‘Kulliyat’ and ‘Ghazaliyat’ and ‘Ghazaliyat’ by Hafiz Sherazi (14th century).

At present, the Republic of Tajikistan is one of the most active members of UNESCO. Tajikistan, within the framework of UNESCO, carries out wide-ranging activities in all fields of science and education, culture, and also contributes to the protection of the world's cultural and natural heritage. Our country is a member of the Convention for the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage. Certain achievements have been made in this direction, for example, one of the achievements of Tajikistan is the inclusion of the ancient city of Sarazm in the UNESCO World Heritage List during the 34th session of the World Heritage Committee in 2010. At the 37th session of the World Heritage Committee held on 16-26 June 2013 (in the capital of the Kingdom of Cambodia, Phnom Penh), the National Park of Tajikistan was included in the List of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Since the 90’s, UNESCO has been discussing issues related to bioethics and the human genome program. Scientists became concerned about the possibility of developing some modifications of the human genome with the help of new technology. In this regard, UNESCO together with a group of international scientists decided to launch a programme that includes social aspects and ethical issues of human rights.

The creation of the UNESCO World Commission on the Ethics of Scientific Knowledge and Technology has led to the creation of the Commission on the Ethics of Communication, Ethics of Space. In this aspect, the Declaration of Ethical Principles in relation to climate change was adopted in 2017. It was within the framework of this programme that the Bioethics Committee under the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Tajikistan was established. This committee is one of the most visible results of effective cooperation of our country with UNESCO. Under the auspices of the above-mentioned programs, an international conference on “The Role of Women in Cultural Dialogue in Central Asia” was held in Dushanbe in June 2003. At the conference, it was decided to establish a UNESCO Chair on cultural dialogue in the modern world at the Russian-Tajik Slavic University.

On October 11th, 2003, the UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage was adopted by the Member States of the organization and entered into force after its ratification by individual Member States in 2006. This Convention marked a new stage in the international legal protection of intangible cultural property. It was the first international legal instrument of its kind in the field of the protection of intangible cultural property.

The Republic of Tajikistan joined the UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2010. Over the past 14 years, the Republic of Tajikistan has contributed a number of cultural elements to the list of this convention: November 11th, 2008 “Shashmaqom” - ancient classical Tajik music is recognized as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity. Now 12th of May is celebrated annually in Tajikistan as “Shashmaqom day”; in March 2015, Tajikistan, together with 11 countries of the Nowruz basin (Republic of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Republic of Turkmenistan, Republic of Uzbekistan, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Republic of India, Islamic Republic of Iran, Republic of Azerbaijan, Republic of Turkey and Republic of Iraq) proposed to inscribe Nowruz on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity; оn 1st December 2016, at the 11th session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of UNESCO, held in the city of Adis Ababa, the festival “Nowruz” and “Oshi Palav” were inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity; оn 1st December 2018 in the city of Port Louis, at the 13th session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Heritage of UNESCO, the nomination of Tajikistan “Chakan - the art of embroidery in the Republic of Tajikistan” was included in the UNESCO Representative List of ICH, which is considered one of the important achievements in preserving and promoting the intangible heritage of ancestors, presenting folk crafts and rich culture of the Tajik people in the international arena.

Along with these achievements of Tajikistan, it should be emphasized that Tajikistan's initiatives for inclusion in the UNESCO Representative List of ICH nominations “Hulbuk”, “Falak” and “Atlas and Adras” are at different stages of consideration and finalization. Tajikistan has also submitted as a joint nomination with Iran “Mehrgon - Festival of Autumn Equinox”.

Based on the activities of the Republic of Tajikistan within UNESCO in 2004, the capital city of Tajikistan, Dushanbe, was awarded the UNESCO “City for Peace” Prize. On 17th September 2008, the famous Tajik sculptor Amri Aminov was awarded the honorary title of UNESCO “Artist for Peace” in recognition of his contribution to spreading the ideas of peace and tolerance through his art.

On 20-22 August 2013, UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova visited the Republic of Tajikistan and met with the President of the Republic of Tajikistan, Emomali Rahmon. She presented the President of the Republic of Tajikistan with the UNESCO 60th Anniversary badge for her honorable contribution to peace, stability and sustainable development. During her visit, Irina Bokova participated in the High-Level International Conference on Water Co-operation and delivered a speech where she emphasized Tajikistan's activities on the world stage within UNESCO.

Every year Tajikistan and UNESCO cooperate under the Participation programme, which is implemented to expand and strengthen the capacity of Member States by financing various projects. During 1993-2021, the Tajikistan National Commission for UNESCO has implemented projects in the field of education, science and culture within the framework of this programme, for example, one of the most effective UNESCO programmes “UNESCO Associated Schools” celebrated its 65th anniversary in 2018. Institutions belonging to this international network (11 thousand educational institutions in more than 180 countries) aim to educate young people in the traditions of tolerance and intercultural dialogue through educational programmes focused on the active participation of students themselves. There are 9 UNESCO Associated Schools in our country. The institutions participating in this international Project represent different levels of education of UNESCO member countries: pre-school, primary school, secondary school, vocational education institutions, teacher training programmes. The most important factor in this endeavor is that these institutions are guided by the country’s national education system. At the same time, their education is based on four basic areas of activity: 1) dissemination of information about the United Nations and UNESCO; 2) ecology, environmental protection; 3) study of the world cultural and natural heritage; 4) human rights, children’s rights, democracy, non-violence.

On October 13th, 2021, with the assistance of the National Commission of Tajikistan for UNESCO, an exhibition of historical art of Tajikistan entitled “Tajikistan - the Land of Golden Rivers” was held at the Museum of Asian Crafts “Guimet” in Paris. It was the first European exhibition of Tajikistan, which lasted for three months during which about 300 ancient monuments of Tajik people were exhibited. Then, on October 14, 2021, the President of the Republic of Tajikistan, Emomali Rahmon, took part in the opening ceremony of the Day of Culture of Tajikistan at UNESCO in Paris. The event coincided with the 75th anniversary of UNESCO and was attended by the Director-General of UNESCO Audrey Azoulay and a large number of representatives of member countries of the United Nations.

In December 2021, confirmation of the potent activity of Tajikistan in the structures of UNESCO is the inclusion of the art of chanting of Tajikistan - “Falak” in the list of intangible cultural population of humanity of UNESCO.

As a result of cooperation between the Republic of Tajikistan and UNESCO was the inclusion in the List of significant and memorable dates celebrated by UNESCO in 2022-2023. 2500th anniversary of the ancient settlement of Takhti Sangin and the joint nomination of the Republic of Tajikistan, the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Islamic Republic of Iran on the 1050th anniversary of the birth of the outstanding scholar of the East Aburaikhan Beruni.

The National Commission of the Republic of Tajikistan for UNESCO during the last three years of its cooperation with UNESCO has inscribed numerous natural and historical sites, works of Tajik scientific and literary geniuses and unique creations on the lists of this World Institute, including: Tajikistan National Park; the ancient city of Sarazm; state reserve of Tajikistan “Tigrovaya Balka”; transnational cultural heritage of the Silk Road: “Zarafshan-Karakum”; monuments of ancient Penjikent; city of Sanjarshokh; Khisorak Fortress, Gardani Khisor; Mug Castle; Kum Fortress; Tali Hamtuda; Toksankorez irrigation system; Tomb of Khoja Muhammad Bashoro; UNESCO's Executive Board inscribed the complete works of Tajik poet and philosopher Jaloliddin Balkhi on the Memory of the World Register.

In addition to the existing results, on January 12, 2024, the President of Tajikistan, Emomali Rahmon signed a decree to open a “Permanent Delegation of the Republic to UNESCO” to represent the culture, history, and material and spiritual heritage of the Tajik people.

The current government of the country is trying to achieve the introduction of 13 monument Tajikistan in the list of the world heritage of UNESCO in 2024: Stone Throne, Ajina-Teppa Buddhist Monastery; Khoja Mashhad Mausoleum, Dimna or Khulbuk Palace, the ancient city of Baitudashti IV, Khoja Nahran Mausoleum, Hazrat Shah Mausoleum, the ancient city of Kahkaha, Fon Mountains, Tigrovaya Balka Reserve, Dashtijum Reserve, Zorkul Reserve and Kusavlisai Reserve.

Headquarters UNESCO was marked 850 years Maulana Jalaluddin Balkhi.

Thanks to such effective bilateral cooperation Tajikistan recognized as a leading country in the solution of water and climate issues in the world.

In the historical spectrum, 31 years is a very short period of time, but if we consider the achievements of the Republic of Tajikistan as an equal member of the world community on the example of bilateral relations between Tajikistan and UNESCO, we can proudly state that for such a short historical period Tajikistan has become an active member of UNESCO, author and co-author of a number of global cooperation projects in the field of science, education and culture. Through its activities within UNESCO, Tajikistan has made a significant contribution to the protection and promotion of the cultural and natural heritage of the Tajik people, and thus the world as a whole.

Ardabaeva Madina – PhD student оt the Department of History, Archeology and Ethnography of the Institute of Humanitarian Sciences named after academician B. Iskandarov of the NAST.