CULTURAL COOPERATION OF UZBEKISTAN WITH THE CENTRAL ASIAN STATES IN 1991–2023

This article analyzes the process of development of cultural and humanitarian cooperation of Uzbekistan with the Central Asian states during 1991–2023. The research was conducted on the basis of historical periodization, comparative analysis, and a systematic approach. The results demonstrate that cultural relations initially manifested in a symbolic form, later transformed into an institutional mechanism, and at the modern stage have become a strategic tool of regional integration. It is substantiated that cultural diplomacy plays an important role in strengthening political trust and developing sustainable cooperation.