A regional meeting of international experts on including the Caspian Corridor of the Great Silk Road in the UNESCO World Heritage List was held in the capital of Turkmenistan, Orient.tm reports.
Speakers highlighted the significance of the Great Silk Road as a historic transcontinental trade route connecting the East and West, passing through what is now Turkmenistan. This is evidenced by preserved historical and cultural monuments, as well as archaeological findings collected by both Turkmen and international researchers.
Preserving and promoting historical heritage is a priority for Turkmenistan, reflected in its foreign policy and close collaboration with UNESCO. The ongoing “State Program for the Preservation of National Historical and Cultural Heritage for 2022–2028” focuses on protecting and studying these sites while promoting tourism.
During the meeting's first plenary session, experts from participating countries presented national efforts to identify, protect, and manage Silk Road heritage sites. The second session, “Understanding the Heritage of Potential Silk Road Routes in the Caspian-Volga Corridor,” concentrated on preparing the corridor's nomination for UNESCO recognition.
Participants emphasized the value of such meetings for experience-sharing, enhancing specialist expertise, and boosting collaborative research. They also proposed creating a roadmap for preparing the nomination and studied methods to integrate terrestrial and underwater archaeological findings into their efforts.
The meeting concluded with a visit to Old Nisa, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, further showcasing the global significance of Turkmenistan's cultural heritage.
Representatives from Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Russia, Turkmenistan, and UNESCO participated in the event.
CentralasianLIGHT.org,
December 9, 2024