The declaration praised Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev for his 2017 initiative at the 72nd session of the United Nations General Assembly, which led to the establishment of the Centre for Islamic Civilization in Uzbekistan and the convening of the inaugural international forum.
Participants described the initiative as the beginning of a new phase of global cooperation to advance scholarly research, preserve cultural heritage, and promote the values of tolerance, peace, enlightenment, and intercultural and interreligious dialogue.
The forum stressed that combating ignorance, extremism, xenophobia, Islamophobia, and misconceptions about Islamic heritage requires rigorous academic research and greater international collaboration. It also recognized the historical role of Uzbekistan and the wider Transoxiana region in the development of both Islamic and world civilization.
Among its key outcomes, the forum proposed establishing a Global Alliance for Islamic Civilization, to be headquartered at the Centre for Islamic Civilization in Uzbekistan.
The alliance will bring together international organizations, universities, research institutions, museums, libraries, archives, manuscript centres, and other specialized bodies to promote long-term cooperation through joint scientific, educational, cultural, and digital initiatives.
Participants also endorsed the creation of a unified international digital platform bringing together manuscripts, archival materials, museum collections, architectural monuments, intangible cultural heritage, and the results of scientific research.
The platform is intended to improve access to Islamic cultural heritage and strengthen international cooperation in its preservation and documentation.
The declaration further called for an extensive programme of international exhibitions, scientific conferences, educational initiatives, publishing projects, and cultural events highlighting the contributions of Islamic civilization to science, education, culture, architecture, and ethical thought throughout history.
Among the major initiatives announced were the establishment of an international award recognizing outstanding contributions to the study and preservation of Islamic heritage, as well as achievements in science, education, intercultural dialogue, and humanitarian cooperation, and the creation of an international foundation to support basic scientific research, heritage restoration, researcher training, publishing initiatives, and academic collaboration.
The forum also proposed launching a multilingual digital library bringing together manuscripts, scholarly works, archival documents, museum collections, educational resources, and digital exhibitions.
In addition, participants endorsed preparing a comprehensive, multi-volume scholarly history of Islamic civilization that covers its leading scholars, intellectual traditions, cultural landmarks, and major achievements.
To encourage future generations of specialists, the declaration recommended establishing a permanent international platform for researchers, students, and young professionals working in cultural heritage.
It also called for the creation of an International Federation of Museums of Islamic Culture, Arts and Civilization to strengthen cooperation among museums, organize joint exhibitions, implement restoration and digitization projects, facilitate the exchange of expertise and collections, and promote the preservation and study of Islamic cultural heritage worldwide.
The declaration concluded by announcing that an International Council of the Forum will be elected during the forum’s first session to serve as its permanent coordinating body.
The council will consolidate the initiatives and recommendations from participants, prepare an international roadmap for joint action through 2030, and share it with forum participants, international organizations, and the Government of Uzbekistan as the implementation framework for the declaration.
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