On September 23, 2026, Shirin Malikova, director of the Azerbaijan National Art Museum, PhD in Art History and associate professor, traveled to Uzbekistan in connection with the scientific conference titled "Museum Education in the 21st Century: Global Context and Transformations," organized by the Kamoliddin Behzod National Institute of Art and Design of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

During the visit, Shirin Malikova got acquainted with samples of painting, sculpture and miniature art displayed in the institute's gallery and received information about the institute's creative and educational activities. Afterwards, an official meeting was held with the institute's rector, Omonulla Salikhov. At the meeting, an exchange of views took place on issues of museology, art history, the preservation and promotion of cultural heritage, research activities, as well as the development of mutual relations in the field of fine art. At the end of the meeting, a memorandum of cooperation was signed between the Azerbaijan National Art Museum and the Kamoliddin Behzod National Institute of Art and Design. The memorandum envisages expanding the exchange of scientific and professional experience between the two institutions, implementing joint projects and research, as well as developing ties in the fields of art and museum work.