On September 17, 2023, at the extended 45th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, it was decided to include the site “Silk Road: Zarafshan-Karakum Corridor” according to criteria (ii), (iii) and (v) on the World Heritage List.
A delegation led by the Ambassador of Turkmenistan to France, Permanent Representative of Turkmenistan to UNESCO M.Charyev took part in the session.
The transnational serial nomination, which includes 31 monuments located in Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, reflects the outstanding achievements in the fields of architecture and technology, monumental art and urban planning along this section of the Silk Road from the 2nd century BC to the 16th century AD. The object is represented by medieval cities and Sogdian works of art, architectural monuments reflecting the influence of Zoroastrianism, Christianity and Islam in Central Asia.
The Zarafshan-Karakum Corridor is a unique example of human interaction with nature, illustrated by water management structures and infrastructure in the mountains, arid steppes, oases, fertile valleys and desert areas that have facilitated the functioning of the trade route for centuries.
