CC BY
2
УДК 930.1
Rakhimov S.A.
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) on historical sciences, University of Journalism and Mass Communications of Uzbekistan.
Tashkent, Republic of Uzbekistan
CULTURE AND TOURISM AS AN IMPORTANT FACTOR IN STRENGTHENING AMICABLE RELATIONS AND
MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING WITHIN THE SCOPE OF THE SHANGHAI COOPERATION ORGANIZATION
Annotation
This article analyzes the formation of various mechanisms of interaction between the member states in the field of culture and the development of multilateral cooperation in the sphere of tourism within the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).
Keywords:
shanghai Cooperation Organization, culture, tourism, international relations.
Рахимов С.А.
доктор философии (PhD) по историческим наукам, Университет журналистики и массовых коммуникаций Узбекистана.
Ташкент, Республика Узбекистан.
КУЛЬТУРА И ТУРИЗМ КАК ВАЖНЫЙ ФАКТОР УКРЕПЛЕНИЯ ДРУЖЕСТВЕННЫХ ОТНОШЕНИЙ И ВЗАИМОПОНИМАНИЯ НА ПРОСТРАНСТВЕ ШОС
Аннотация
В статье анализируются формирование различных механизмов взаимодействия между государствами-участниками в области культуры, а также развитие многостороннего сотрудничества в сфере туризма в рамках Шанхайской организации сотрудничества.
Ключевые слова:
Шанхайская организация сотрудничества, культура, туризм, международные отношения.
Ensuring the stability and sustainable development of any state in the modern world depends not only on its military, political, and socio-economic potential but also on the spiritual and moral state of its society. In the age of globalization, issues related to cultural and humanitarian cooperation play a significant role in the development of international relations and serve as a crucial indicator of the level of relations between states. Cultural and humanitarian interaction allows for the elimination of misunderstandings among different cultures and serves as an important bridge that helps people from different countries enhance friendship and mutual understanding.
Alongside economic and political cooperation, Uzbekistan places great importance on cultural and humanitarian cooperation in international relations, as exemplified by its development within the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). The SCO, founded in 2001 by the leaders of Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, China, Russia, and Tajikistan, prioritizes cultural and humanitarian interaction in addition to issues related to peace, security, and stability in the Central Asian region, as outlined in its foundational documents. The Declaration on the establishment of the SCO, for instance, defines the development of effective cooperation in scientific, cultural, educational, environmental, and other spheres as one of the organization's goals [2]. The Charter of the SCO, signed in 2002, also includes the expansion of cooperation in the fields of
science and technology, education, healthcare, culture, sports, and tourism among its key directions [3].
It is essential to note that the SCO is a union of states representing different civilizations (Confucian, Christian, Islamic, Buddhist, etc.) with rich histories, unique cultures, and traditions. Due to the specific characteristics of their humanitarian resources, the member countries of the organization have enormous potential for cooperation in various areas for the common progress.
Over the years of the SCO's existence, various mechanisms of interaction between member states in the fields of culture, science, education, tourism, and more have been established. These mechanisms are crucial components of intergovernmental relations and contribute to the spiritual closeness of nations and the development of shared integration processes within the organization's framework.
Within the SCO, great attention is paid to maintaining intercultural dialogue among the people of the member states, and a significant role in this regard is played by the mechanism of Meetings of the Ministers of Culture of the SCO member states, established in 2002.
On May 19, 2022, the nineteenth Meeting of the Ministers of Culture of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization was held in Tashkent under the chairmanship of Uzbekistan. The meeting was attended by the heads of the respective ministries and agencies of the member states, as well as the Secretary-General of the SCO, Zhang Ming. During the session, the participants discussed the prospects for further development of intercultural dialogue and reaffirmed their interest in implementing joint projects in the fields of cinema, theater, libraries, and museums with the aim of enhancing mutual understanding among the peoples, preserving cultural diversity, and disseminating knowledge about the cultures, customs, and traditions of the member states of the SCO.
In his speech, the Secretary-General of the SCO, Zhang Ming, emphasized that cultural cooperation within the organization is continually expanding through the organization of cultural and artistic festivals, which serve as a guarantor of the mechanism of interaction. "As the SCO enters its third decade, I express confidence that guided by the 'Shanghai Spirit,' whose principles include mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality, mutual consultations, respect for cultural diversity, and the pursuit of joint development, the light of multiculturalism will shine more brightly in the SCO region, and I hope that all countries will achieve new developments in cultural integration," Zhang Ming noted [4].
To promote "people's diplomacy" within the SCO, various programs of multilateral cooperation in the field of culture have been successfully implemented. Interaction in this direction reached a qualitatively new level with the signing of the Agreement between the governments of the SCO member states on cultural cooperation in August 2007 [5]. The Agreement reflected that member countries of the organization, in accordance with international law and their national legislation, engage in cooperation in various creative fields (music, theater, visual arts, cinema, preservation of cultural heritage sites, etc.). They also collaborate in the training and professional development of cultural and artistic professionals and work on identifying and repatriating cultural artifacts that were illegally exported to the territories of the SCO member states. Furthermore, cooperation in the preservation, conservation, and restoration of cultural heritage sites, etc. is also emphasized.
Over the years, exhibitions of master craftsmen and folk art festivals have been regularly organized in SCO member countries. It has become a tradition at summits to organize gala concerts featuring artists from member and observer states of the SCO, and folklore ensembles participate in events, activities, and folk festivals in SCO countries.
Equally important for exchanging experiences are the fields of music, theater, and the visual arts. Joint cultural and artistic events contribute to strengthening mutual understanding among peoples, preserving cultural diversity, and spreading knowledge about the culture of different countries and their peoples. Notable international events within the SCO framework include the "Sharq Taronalari" music festival in Uzbekistan, the "Silk Road" Arts Festival in China, the "Berdemlek - Commonwealth" Arts Festival in Russia, the "Art-Ordo"
theater festival in Kyrgyzstan, the "Chodari Khayol" puppet theater festival in Tajikistan, and more. These events provide a unique platform to bring together creative groups from all SCO countries to showcase the achievements that reflect the unique national character of each country and promote deeper understanding and dialogue through art.
Moreover, important events in Uzbekistan's intercultural relations with SCO countries include the unveiling of monuments to prominent figures: the great Uzbek miniaturist Kamoliddin Behzod in Changchun, China; the Uzbek poet and thinker Alisher Navoi in Moscow, Dushanbe, and Shanghai; the Kazakh poet and thinker Abai Kunanbayev, the Turkmen poet Makhtumkuli, and the Kyrgyz writer Chingiz Aitmatov in Tashkent; the monument to the great Chinese philosopher Confucius and the Tajik literary figure Abdurahman Jami in Samarkand, and more.
Cooperation in the field of tourism is dynamically developing within the SCO. The member states of the organization collectively possess 44% of the world's population, and their combined cultural heritage includes 207 UNESCO World Heritage sites [7], which hold historical and cultural significance for regional tourism development. It's worth emphasizing that in the modern world, tourism has become one of the important and high-income sectors of national economies in SCO countries.
However, the enormous tourism potential of the SCO is not fully utilized at present. In support of the tourism industry and to enhance the tourist appeal of cities and regions within the SCO, 2023 has been declared as the Year of Tourism, and the Indian city of Varanasi has been designated as the tourism and cultural capital of the organization for 2022-2023.
In May 2022, during Uzbekistan's chairmanship in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the International Forum "A New Stage Of Cooperation Between The SCO Countries: Tourism And Cultural Heritage" took place in Tashkent. The forum brought together leaders of ministries and agencies responsible for this sector, as well as international experts in tourism development and cultural heritage preservation.
The primary goal of the forum was to strengthen cooperation among SCO countries in the field of tourism, promote trade and economic cooperation, support and preserve cultural-historical sites, and advance the tourist potential of SCO member states.
The forum also discussed current issues in furthering collaboration on joint combined tourist routes and expanding transportation and logistics capabilities within the organization.
In conclusion, it can be noted that strengthening interaction in the field of culture and the development of regional tourism lays a solid foundation that contributes to the spiritual enrichment and rapprochement of peoples, and also contributes to the development of integration processes in the SCO space. List of used literature and sources:
1. Uzbekistan National News Agency «UzA». http://uza.uz/ru/documents/o-strategii-deystviy-po-dalneyshemu-razvitiyu-respubliki-uzb-08-02-2017 (17.06.2023).
2. DECLARATION ON THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE SHANGHAI COOPERATION ORGANIZATION, 15 June 2001.
3. Charter of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, 7 June 2002.
4. Website of the Secretariat of the Shanghai Cooperation Organizatio: //rus.sectsco.org/news/20220520/838708.html (17.06.2023).
5. Соглашение между правительствами государств - членов ШОС о сотрудничестве в области культуры (16.08.2007). National database of legislation of the Republic of Uzbekistan: //lex.uz/ru/docs/4979485 (06.11.2022).
6. Information Agency «UzReport». https://uzreport.news/culture/otkryilas-mezhdunarodnaya-vyistavka-v-ramkah-sammita-stran-shos (14.02.2023).
7. https://www.uzdaily.com/ru/post/71777 (17.10.2023).
© Rakhimov S.A., 2023
