Qatar Museums, Uzbekistan's ACDF Sign 5-Year Partnership

Doha: Qatar Museums and the Uzbekistan Art and Culture Development Foundation (ACDF) signed a five-year cooperation agreement Thursday, establishing a long-term institutional framework to deepen cultural ties between both nations.

Operating under Qatar's broader cultural diplomacy framework and the Years of Culture initiative, the strategic agreement combines human capital development with direct support for the creative economy through shared research, joint artistic projects, and heritage conservation.

The deal was formally signed by Minister of State for International Cooperation and Board Member of Qatar Museums HE Dr Maryam bint Ali bin Nasser Al Misnad, alongside ACDF's Chairperson Gayane Umerova.

Highlighting the vision behind the initiative, Chairperson of Qatar Museums HE Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani emphasized that investing in culture is fundamentally an investment in people.

Her Excellency noted that the partnership bridges heritage preservation with talent development, opening new avenues for creative professionals to collaborate on an international stage.

Umerova echoed these sentiments, pointing to Uzbekistan's centuries-old legacy as a crossroad of civilization and stating that the agreement marks a crucial milestone in building a sustainable future for artists and communities.

Under the framework, both institutions will collaborate across capacity building, creative industries, and Islamic heritage conservation. Joint programming will encompass artist residencies, professional training, and collaborative exhibitions, alongside multi-sector initiatives in design, craft, film, fashion, and culinary arts. The agreement also prioritizes the restoration and protection of Islamic cultural sites through expert knowledge exchange.

This institutional tie strengthens an expanding portfolio of bilateral initiatives. The Museum of Islamic Art in Doha is currently hosting the "Uzbekistan: Heritage in Motion" exhibition from September 3 through November 28, presented alongside "Ektashif Uzbekistan Exhibition," a showcase of original works created by Qatari artists during a recent cultural trip to Tashkent, Samarkand, and Bukhara.

This follows previous high-profile efforts, including Uzbekistan's participation in the inaugural Design Doha Biennial and a USD 4.175 million restoration grant pledged by the Qatar Fund for Development in late 2024 to restore the historic Bibi-Khanym Mosque complex in Samarkand.

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