TEHRAN – Iranian ambassador Faridin Nasriev, Uzbekistan, highlighted the expansion of his country’s tourism attraction during a cultural and diplomatic gathering held on Monday evening at the Tehran ambassador’s residence.
Talking to Iranian officials, diplomats and invited guests, Ambassador Nasriev outlined Uzbekistan’s recent achievements in tourism, culture and science and technology. He described 2025 as an important year for Uzbekistan-Iran relations, marking the anniversary of diplomatic relations on the 33rd anniversary between the two countries.
“Uzbekistan and Iran have a long history and a shared culture,” he said. He highlighted official visits, including visits by the presidents and prime ministers of both countries, that helped to promote political and economic ties to a new level.
Ambassador Nasriev noted that bilateral trade has reached $500 million and that more than 210 joint companies are currently operating. He expressed confidence that trade volume could rise to $2 billion in the near future, and announced the recent opening of the Tehranian Uzbekistani trader as a key step towards that goal.
He said tourism has become one of the top government priorities in Uzbekistan. The series of national reforms under the leadership of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has focused on improving the development and infrastructure of the tourism sector, and has gained international recognition.
One milestone was holding the 25th session of the UN World Tourism Organization General Assembly held in Samarkand in 2023. Ambassador Nasliv also pointed out that two Uzbek cities had earned regional honors in 2024.
Looking ahead, Samarkand has announced that it will hold its 43rd UNESCO session in the fall of 2025. This is the first time in its 80-year history that a high-level event has been held outside UNESCO’s Paris headquarters.
After his speech, Ambassador Nasriev expanded the invitation that was open to the audience. “We welcome you to visit the beautiful lands of Uzbekistan.
Speaking with the Tehran Times, Ambassador Nasriev said the event aims to highlight Uzbekistan’s commitment to strengthening cultural and economic ties with Iran. “As part of an effort to boost bilateral tourism, we are increasing the number of weekly direct flights between Tehran and Tashkent from two to three,” he announced.
In addition to Ambassador Nasriev’s keynote speech, several prominent scholars from both Iran and Uzbekistan also made statements during the ceremony. Their speeches focused on deep historical and cultural connections between the two countries and the potential for expanding collaboration in the educational and scientific fields.
As part of the evening festivities, guests were served with a wide range of traditional Uzbek dishes. An impressive selection of authentic dishes, desserts, breads and pastries were offered, giving participants a flavourful glimpse of the rich heritage of Uzbekistan’s culinary heritage. Participants were able to experience the depth and diversity of Uzbek’s gastronomy, renowned for its bold flavours and centuries-old recipes.
The event also featured a vibrant cultural performance by a Uzbek art group dressed in traditional clothing. The artists who performed both solo and ensemble works featured music and dance routines that reflected Uzbekistan’s colorful cultural traditions. The performance was received warmly by the audience, adding an immersive element to the evening celebration.
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