Central Asia and U.S. Commit to Strengthening Cultural Heritage Protection
Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and the United States — the C5+1 countries — have agreed to expand cooperation in preserving cultural heritage, combating illicit trade in cultural property, and promoting cultural collaboration.
The agreement was outlined in a statement of intent issued by the Kazakh Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Nov. 8, coinciding with the 10th anniversary of the C5+1 diplomatic platform.
The countries recognized their shared cultural legacy and pledged joint efforts to safeguard it through heritage preservation, museum cooperation, and expert exchanges. The statement highlights growing C5+1 engagement via the Council of National Museums, cultural exchanges, and capacity building in conservation and restoration.
According to the document, the countries will enhance information-sharing among law enforcement, customs, and border agencies to prevent the illicit trafficking of cultural artifacts. They also aim to develop regional networks for transparency in the art market and integrate cultural heritage into economic collaboration, including tourism, English-language education, and the creative industries.
The parties agreed to promote joint training, digitization projects, provenance research, and heritage site management. Cooperation will also extend to ethnology, archaeology, architecture, and restoration.
All six nations committed to deepening participation in the Council of National Museums, facilitating artifact exchanges and exhibitions, and coordinating positions in international cultural forums.
They further pledged to support traditional crafts, music, and dance as key expressions of national identity, and to strengthen links between universities and heritage institutions through joint research, academic exchange, and regional cultural festivals celebrating Central Asia’s diverse traditions.
Photo credit: MFA
