Speech by the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev at the opening ceremony of the international tourist center "Arda Khiva" in the city of Khiva

I am very glad to meet you today on this fertile land, where the inextricable connection of our glorious history and New Uzbekistan is clearly felt - in ancient Khorezm.

Khorezm is truly a pearl of the East, it has made an invaluable contribution to the development of world civilization and culture. This ancient land is the birthplace of world-famous scientists and thinkers, commanders and rulers, theologians, talented poets and hafiz.

Such great personalities as the luminaries of science and education Muhammad al-Khwarizmi, Abu Rayhan Beruni, Pahlavon Makhmud, Ogakhi, symbols of patriotism Najmiddin Kubro and Jaloliddin Manguberdy are the pride of our people.

According to the world's leading scientists, the great innovator Beruni was ahead of his time by 500 years or more in a number of crucial areas of science, which testifies to the enormous potential of this land.

Khorezm has another priceless treasure - its majestic historical monuments. This is also confirmed by the fact that the open-air museum city - the Ichan-Kala complex is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Please note that there are more than 260 objects in the region that are part of the universal treasury. Their history goes back centuries. Undoubtedly, they, possessing such a beautiful, unique architectural appearance, are “living” witnesses of history, defining the unique place of not only Uzbekistan, but also the whole of Central Asia in world development.

Dear compatriots!

Today, in order to build a New Uzbekistan, we resolutely continue the path of transformation and renewal.

Of course, within the framework of the reforms we have begun, it is no coincidence that we pay special attention to the development of tourism, which contributes to strengthening peace and friendship, as a separate strategic direction.

After all, tourism is not only travel and meaningful leisure. First of all, tourism, like a mirror, reflects the connection between different nations and human hearts, the rich cultural and historical heritage of our hard-working and tolerant people, their hospitality and openness to the world.

We are implementing large-scale reforms to preserve historical monuments, cultural heritage sites, and actively include them in the global tourism network.

Along with this, using the methods of national architecture, we focus on increasing the number of large tourist complexes that embody history and modernity.

As our ancestor Muhammad Khorezmi, the creator of algebra and algorithm, said, "order and correct calculation are the key to any achievement." Therefore, in our country, work to increase tourism potential is carried out on the basis of specific and carefully developed plans.

Three years ago, in Samarkand, we commissioned a large tourist complex, the "Eternal City." And today, on Khorezm soil, we are ceremoniously opening "Arda Khiva" - or the "Eternal Khiva" complex. This unique complex is another example of the practical implementation of our grandiose plans.

This magnificent international tourist complex, built in a short time, will include 17 hotels and guest houses, 9 restaurants, an outdoor and indoor water park, each of which will serve 2 thousand tourists per day, an amphitheater with 3 thousand seats, 5 cinemas and concert halls, an exhibition pavilion, 70 stores, 300 retail outlets, 11 artisan workshops, an oriental bazaar and a jewelry center, fountains and a 4-kilometer coastal promenade.

The Ancient Urgench Museum, which tells about the glorious past of Khorezm, will undoubtedly be very popular with compatriots and tourists.

Thanks to the work we have done, the flow of tourists to the region will increase by an additional 1 million people, the volume of services provided will increase by 1.2 trillion soums, and at least 2 thousand jobs will be created.

I am convinced that "Arda Khiva" will open a new page in the development of tourism in Khorezm, will become its second "calling card".

I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude to entrepreneurs and investors, builders and specialists, to all who have made a worthy contribution to this noble cause.

I congratulate the residents of Khorezm, all our people on the creation of such a unique complex!

Dear residents of Khorezm, dear guests!

Khorezm has a huge, not yet fully utilized tourism potential.

As you know, we are transferring 2,400 hectares of land in the Khiva region to the city of Khiva. The tourist complex "Star of the Desert" will be built here. Hotels, entertainment centers, gastronomic and shopping streets, museums, eco-houses, a summer camp, extreme tourism facilities will be built on this territory.

We will begin construction work on the complex no later than this year. It will be headed by Prime Minister A. Aripov.

Also in the Tuprokkala district at 5 thousand

hectares of steppe will develop safari and hunting tourism. On the banks of the Gazavat, Palvan, Shavat canals flowing through Urgench, Shavat, Koshkupyr, Khiva and Khazarasp, 80 service, shopping and entertainment facilities with a total value of 50 million dollars will begin to operate. Tourist villages will be created in the Bagat, Gurlen, Yangibazar and Urgench districts.

We have set ourselves the lofty goal of carefully preserving, enriching and widely popularizing in the world the vast scientific and spiritual heritage of our ancestors. In this regard, the 2-hectare garden next to the Mamun Academy will become an open-air "smart" museum called "Great Thinkers".

Here, tourists will be presented with the worthy life path and rich creative heritage of dozens of our great ancestors, who were raised by the Khorezm land, in an interactive form in several foreign languages.

Just yesterday I signed a decree on the establishment of a new university named after Muhammad al-Khwarizmi and an IT school in Urgench. I am sure that future Khorezmi and Beruni will receive their education in these educational institutions.

Dear compatriots!

I would like to draw your attention to one issue. The Almighty has granted a common destiny to the residents of the Khorezm region and Karakalpakstan, who live on both banks of the Amu Darya. It is impossible to imagine the history, culture and traditions of these two neighboring regions separately from each other.

In this regard, we will develop tourism in Khorezm and Karakalpakstan based on a single concept.

For this purpose, a project for a tourist ring "Khorezm - Karakalpakstan" will be developed. For example, 80 kilometers from Khiva is the Ellikkala district, where the Ayaz-kala and Tuprok-kala monuments of interest to tourists are located. Also in the Akhchakul region there is all the infrastructure for the development of beach tourism. In the Beruniy district, one of the unique sites for pilgrimage tourism is the Sultan Uvays place of worship. And there are many more such examples.

Therefore, we will begin to implement a large program to develop roads connecting these territories and roadside infrastructure. In addition, the Urgench-Gurlen-Mangit highway will be completely repaired.

In recent years, a railway has been built to the city of Khiva, a new station has been built, and the Bukhara-Urgench-Khiva railway has been fully electrified. As we agreed, in 2026, modern high-speed trains named after Jaloliddin Manguberdy will be launched on this route. Most importantly, in the near future, these high-speed trains will travel to Nukus.

Many of our foreign friends are taking part in today's celebration. Let us wholeheartedly welcome our dear guests, once again express our respect and good wishes to them!

Anyone who has ever visited Khorezm will certainly be enchanted by it for life. I am convinced that you, dear friends, will also have unforgettable impressions from getting to know this beautiful, unique land.

At the same time, each region of our country is distinguished by its unique picturesque landscapes, rich culture, traditions, historical monuments, excellent dishes and gifts of nature.

Visit our country again, our other regions, share your opinions and impressions with your loved ones.

Undoubtedly, New Uzbekistan as a safe tourist space, rich in diverse content and vivid impressions, will forever be imprinted in your memory.

Welcome to Uzbekistan, dear guests!

Dear compatriots!

Today, despite the difficult situation in the world, Uzbekistan firmly follows its own path. Our people live in an atmosphere of peace and prosperity, friendship and cooperation, in the spirit of creation.

All our goals and plans, every reform are aimed at improving people's lives, and we will steadily continue this work.

I am convinced that together with you, my dears, working selflessly, we will turn Khorezm and Karakalpakstan into one of the most beautiful and comfortable regions in the world, where science and innovation, culture and art are developed.

On the way to this noble goal, I wish you all good health, peace and prosperity to your homes.

May peace and tranquility always reign in our dear Motherland, may our Uzbekistan prosper!