Azerbaijan, region’s multiculturalist center
By Sara Rajabova
Azerbaijan has long been a multiculturalism center in the region, said Elmar Mammadyarov, Azerbaijan’s Foreign Minister.
Mammadyarov, who is also Chairman of Azerbaijan’s National Commission to UNESCO, made the remark at the fifth meeting of representatives of national committees and commissions of TURKSOY Member Countries to the UNESCO in Baku on December 18.
Noting that Azerbaijan and UNESCO mark the 20th anniversary of their cooperation this year, Mammadyarov said Azerbaijan joined almost all conventions of the organization.
“This year, we are celebrating the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the National Commission of Azerbaijan for UNESCO. Azerbaijan has been closely cooperating with UNESCO in all important areas, including education, science, culture and communication. Azerbaijan joined almost all conventions of the organization, became a member of various committees and hosted many international events,” Mammadyarov said.
He further said TURKSOY member states have a common history and roots. "The appropriate meetings were held at the executive level. Some decisions have been made which will further develop relations among the Turkic-speaking countries. Our goal is to work for the benefit of future generations," Mammadyarov said.
He emphasized the importance of Intercultural Dialogue Forum and Baku International Humanitarian Forum being held with the participation of UNESCO and TURKSOY.
“The works of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation headed by First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva to develop relations between Azerbaijan and UNESCO to promote our cultural heritage in the world and preserve it for the future generations are of particular importance.
The Heydar Aliyev Foundation plays a key role in the contribution to protect and develop of Azerbaijan's oral folk literature and music heritage, provision of care for the material and non-material heritage of our country, as well as restoration of historical, religious and cultural monuments in Azerbaijan and abroad and opening of schools, kindergartens, health centers, scientific, cultural and social centers. “A framework agreement for cooperation in the fields of education, sciences, culture and communication between the government of Azerbaijan and UNESCO” was signed in Paris, 2013.It envisaged Azerbaijan’s providing UNESCO with a financial contribution of $5 million for implementation of many large-scale projects,” Mammadyarov added.
Mammadyarov further reminded that thousands of cultural monuments have been destroyed as a consequence of Armenian aggression.
"As a result of this aggression, more than one million people were expelled from their native lands," he said.
Azerbaijan and Armenia fought a lengthy war that ended with the signing of a precarious cease-fire in 1994. Since then, Armenian armed forces have occupied over 20 percent of Azerbaijan's internationally recognized territory, including Nagorno-Karabakh, defying international calls and UN resolutions.
After invading Azerbaijan's territories, Armenia has been pursuing the campaign of ruining cultural and historical monuments of Azerbaijani people .The destruction of Azerbaijani cultural monuments in the occupied territories continues to this day.
Irina Bokova, Director General of UNESCO also addressed the event.
Bokova said, in her message read out by UNESCO representative Genc Seiti, Azerbaijan has become an active member of UNESCO since it joined this organization.
The country has become increasingly involved in UNESCO’s projects aimed at preserving and protecting the cultural heritage in the world as a result of the activities of Azerbaijan's National Commission for UNESCO, according to Bokova.
“Thanks to the efforts and initiatives by First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva in protecting and preserving the cultural heritage, the country’s cooperation with the organization has developed even more,” said Bokova.
Moreover, Azerbaijan actively works for preserving the world’s intangible heritage by implementing various projects in this sphere, according to UNESCO Director General.
Bokova also added that the country possesses priceless intangible heritage, some samples of which have already been included in UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage List. She expressed confidence that all the initiatives, joint activities of Azerbaijan with UNESCO will continue in the future as well.
The meeting that will continue on December 19 aims at exploring the possibilities of cooperation between Turkic-speaking countries in UNESCO, implementing various projects, discussing necessary issues such as inclusion of joint nominations into relevant lists of UNESCO.
The event is being attended by representatives of Azerbaijani government, UNESCO and TURKSOY officials, heads of the national commissions and committees of Turkic-speaking countries.
The meeting aims at exploring the possibilities of cooperation of Turkish-speaking countries in UNESCO, implementing various projects, discussing necessary issues such as inclusion of joint nominations into relevant lists of UNESCO and strengthening the relations between the countries. During the event, four round tables will be held on cultural and natural heritage, intangible cultural heritage, education and the memory of world program.
The meeting was attended by government representatives, UNESCO and TURKSOY officials, heads of the Cooperation Council of Turkic Speaking States, TURKPA, International Turkish Academy, secretary generals and members of the National Commissions and Committees for UNESCO and other officials and experts for the fields of culture, science, education, information and communication technologies and activity of UNESCO.