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Gayane Umerova is dedicated to developing the culture sector in Uzbekistan.
Driven by a deep passion for arts and culture, and the belief in their power to enrich society, she is at the forefront of building Uzbekistan’s cultural infrastructure. Gayane Umerova is Head of the Department of Creative Economy and Tourism of the Administration of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Chairperson of the Uzbekistan Art and Culture Development Foundation (ACDF) and Chairperson of the 25th session of the UNESCO General Assembly.
Her efforts are bringing the nation’s art, artists, and cultural heritage into the global spotlight. Currently, she is overseeing the restoration and development of the Centre for Contemporary Arts (CCA) in Tashkent, opening in March 2026 which is poised to become a new cultural hub for the region, and is driving the construction of the new National Museum of Uzbekistan, designed by Tadao Ando, set to become an architectural and symbolic landmark in the heart of Tashkent. Gayane Umerova founded and spearheaded the inaugural Bukhara Biennial (5 September - 23 November 2025), which welcomed over a million visitors to the city, connecting the world with the local community of Bukhara, its artists and artisans. She has also spearheaded the inaugural Aral Culture Summit (April 4-6, 2025), bringing together global experts to work towards ecological and cultural renewal for the region.
Committed to boosting Uzbekistan’s prominence on the international culture scene, Gayane Umerova was central in encouraging UNESCO to make the landmark decision to host its 43rd session of the UNESCO General Conference in Samarkand on 30 October - 13 November 2025. She serves as the Chairperson of the National Commission of Uzbekistan on UNESCO Affairs under the Cabinet of Ministers, and in April 2025 has been awarded France’s Order of Arts and Literature.