The key facts
- The Uzbek delegation visited Balkh, Takhar, Sar-e Pol and Faryab, studying a number of architectural monuments
- An agreement was reached to sign a memorandum on the preservation and restoration of heritage sites
- In 2025, the monument to Alisher Navoi in Mazar-i-Sharif was completely destroyed; the Taliban promised a new monument
Delegation's visit to Afghanistan
A delegation from Uzbekistan led by Deputy Director of the Cultural Heritage Agency Azizjon Aripjonov studied historical and cultural heritage sites in Afghanistan linked to Uzbek figures and exchanged views on their preservation and restoration, the Dunyo news agency reports. Members of the delegation visited the provinces of Balkh, Takhar, Sar-e Pol and Faryab, familiarized themselves with a number of unique architectural monuments and gathered the necessary information about them.
Sites studied
Among the sites examined are the Rawzai Sharif mausoleum in Mazar-i-Sharif, the Baba Rahim Mashrab shrine in the Ishkashim district of Takhar province, the historic brick bridge in Sar-e Pol, the Hisht-pul and Idgah mosques, the Imamzoda Yahya mausoleum, the Baba Wali Jon madrasa in the Andkhoy district of Faryab province, as well as the Baba Wali hauz pool built on the initiative of Alisher Navoi and the architectural monument of Mirsaid Baraki.
Outcomes of the talks
"We exchanged views on implementing joint projects to pass on the historical monuments in the country to future generations in their pristine form… It was acknowledged that the Uzbek people made a worthy contribution to Afghanistan's rich cultural heritage sites," the statement said. Following the talks, the parties agreed to analyze the collected data on historical and cultural heritage sites and to sign a memorandum of understanding on the protection and restoration of monuments.
Context: the fate of the monument to Alisher Navoi
In February 2023, a bas-relief depicting Alisher Navoi in Mazar-i-Sharif was damaged. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan, after contacting the Afghan side, called the vandalism "arbitrary and ill-considered actions by unknown individuals" and said that measures would be taken to restore the monuments. In August 2025, the monument was completely destroyed. The Taliban expressed regret, stating that the destruction had not been coordinated with the government, and promised a new monument. It was later reported that construction of a new memorial complex named after Alisher Navoi had begun.
