Azerbaijan's statement read out at 47th session of UNESCO World Heritage Committee

Azerbaijan's statement was presented at the 47th session of the World Heritage Committee at UNESCO headquarters.

The national statement delivered by the Permanent Delegation of Azerbaijan to UNESCO stressed the importance of balance and representativeness of the World Heritage List. To achieve this goal, the importance of capacity-building measures and ensuring equitable geographical representation was emphasized.

Noting that Azerbaijan, which has consistently supported UNESCO’s Priority Africa initiative, organized a high-level event on “Supporting World Heritage in Africa” at UNESCO headquarters this February, the statement highlighted Azerbaijan’s continued support for Africa and Small Island Developing States (SIDS).

The statement also mentioned the urgent threat climate change poses to cultural and natural heritage, emphasizing the importance of the "Culture for Climate" initiative put forward by Azerbaijan, as the host of COP29.

Discussing the destruction and plundering of the territories of the Republic of Azerbaijan’s cultural heritage during the nearly 30-year-long occupation, it was noted that the protection and restoration of cultural and natural heritage is a national priority. The ongoing reconstruction and restoration efforts in the liberated territories were also highlighted.

The national statement also focused on the restoration of cultural heritage and strengthening scientific cooperation in the post-conflict period. It also included information about the First Cultural Forum of Islamic World on cultural heritage in post-conflict period held in Shusha, the cultural capital of the Islamic world, in April 2025, as well as the scientific conference dedicated to the protection of prehistoric sites in Azerbaijan, including the Azykh and Taghlar caves, in March 2025.

Shahla Aghalarova

Special correspondent