On September 12, 2025, Ambassador Furkat Sidikov welcomed over 350 guests to the Organization of American States (OAS) headquarters in Washington, D.C. to honor Uzbekistan’s 34th year of independence. Officials, business leaders, cultural figures, and members of the Uzbek diaspora filled the diplomatic venue.
His Excellency Furkat Sidikov, Uzbekistan’s Ambassador to the United States, delivered the opening remarks. He spoke about Uzbekistan’s progress since 1991 and mentioned renewed partnerships with the U.S. and Canada in trade, cultural exchange, and security cooperation.
Following Ambassador Sidikov’s welcome, Ms. Bethany Morrison, Assistant Secretary in the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, gave the keynote speech. She described the recent conversation between President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and U.S. President Donald Trump as a sign of strong relations. She also congratulated Uzbekistan’s national football team for reaching the 2026 FIFA World Cup and shared her desire to visit the country.
Messages of goodwill also came from the business community. Elena V. Son, Executive Director of the American-Uzbekistan Chamber of Commerce, and M. Ebсim, Director of Commercial Airplane Sales for the Eurasia region, noted the expanding economic links and partnerships in aviation and trade between the two countries.
Guests experienced a cultural program featuring renowned Uzbek artists who performed traditional and contemporary music. An exhibition of heritage artifacts showcased the country’s Silk Road legacy. Attendees enjoyed traditional Uzbek food, including plov, somsa, and non-bread. The evening included an announcement of Professor Tanya Merchant’s appointment as Uzbekistan’s Cultural Ambassador to the United States.
In a message on August 31, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio conveyed greetings on behalf of the American people, reaffirming support for Uzbekistan’s sovereignty and progress. His message pointed to cooperation in trade, regional security, and counterterrorism.
The move of the anniversary reception to the OAS headquarters from its previous location at the embassy demonstrated the growth of Uzbek diplomatic and cultural outreach in North America.
Uzbekistan’s history as a crossroads of the Silk Road with cities like Bukhara, Samarqand, and Khiva, and its journey from Soviet rule to independence in 1991 resonated throughout the night. Conversations with participants reflected this mix of past and future, as a student spoke of education investments and an entrepreneur noted trade opportunities.
Beyond Washington, Canadian landmarks participated in the recognition. Niagara Falls lit up in blue, white, and green on August 31, while Toronto and Montreal hosted evenings of music and poetry. Diaspora communities across both countries gathered to share stories. In addition, a flag-raising ceremony was held at the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to honor Uzbekistan’s independence and its rich history and bright future.
The event gathered voices from diplomacy, government, and commerce, each confirming that Uzbekistan’s independence created a platform for dialogue, trade, and cultural exchange that continues to grow across North America. Guests left the OAS headquarters with a clear sense that Uzbekistan’s story abroad is still being written, with friendship and cooperation at its core.
🇺🇿 Uzbekistan’s 34th Independence Anniversary was marked with a historic celebration with 🎶 The “Friendship of Peoples” Ensemble — for the first time at the @OAS_official HQ in Washington, D.C.
— Furqat Sidiqov (@FurqatSidiq) September 16, 2025
Thanks to All of our Friends. #Uzbekistan #IndependenceDay #WashingtonDC #OAS pic.twitter.com/yl4MrliJMm
