Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- Following the results of the XII session of the ministers of tourism of the member countries of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), held in Khiva, a number of important documents were adopted.

The chairmanship of the OIC in the field of tourism passed from Azerbaijan to Uzbekistan. Uzbekistan intends to take all necessary measures to bring tourism cooperation in the OIC to a new level.

During the session, it was decided to transfer the title of “tourist city of the Islamic world” to the following cities: in 2025 - Dakar (Senegal), in 2026 - Cairo (Egypt), in 2027 - Lahore (Pakistan). In 2024, Khiva is a “tourist city of the Islamic world.”

Minister of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change Aziz Abdukhakimov noted that the conference participants decided to improve the selection criteria for OIC tourist cities and increase their potential by selecting smaller and more promising cities.

The main directions of development were identified as the implementation of the strategic “road map” for the development of Islamic tourism, simplification of the visa regime, stimulation of investments, increasing the mutual tourist flow through the promotion of Islamic tourism sites, personnel training and standardization.

Abdukhakimov also added that in order to diversify the tourism sector, OIC participants decided to develop pilgrimage tourism, ecotourism and medical tourism. Particular attention was paid to the introduction of standards for halal tourism services.

Tourism ministers have decided to organize the 13th session of the Islamic Conference in the State of Qatar. As part of the conference, an exhibition of paintings entitled “Cultural Attractions of the Islamic World” was organized.

In addition, at the Khiva State Museum-Reserve “Ichan-Kala”, as part of the conference, the international tournament “Pakhlavon Mahmud - Games of Heroes” is being held, in which leading wrestlers from 15 countries compete in 10 disciplines.

Aziz Abdukhakimov noted that a lot of work remains to be done to demonstrate the tourism potential of Khiva, a tourist city of the Islamic world, to the whole world throughout the year.