Heydar Aliyev Foundation's projects in line with UNESCO's core mandate
UNESCO and Azerbaijan have fruitful cooperation, which has existed for more than 20 years, according to the Director General of UNESCO Irina Bokova.
Bokova expressed her satisfaction with the mentioned
cooperation, saying it is expanding rapidly in education, sciences,
communication and especially in the field of culture.
“In this regard, I would like to express my gratitude to the
authorities of the Republic of Azerbaijan, as well as to the first
lady, Ms. Mehriban Aliyeva, whom our organization is pleased to
count among its goodwill ambassadors since 2004,” she said.
UNESCO director general also recalled that she took part in the 3rd
World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue, held in Baku on May
18-19.
She said the forum aimed to reaffirm the need to consolidate and
intensify dialogue among peoples from different cultures, religions
or beliefs in order to create, at the national, regional and global
levels, an environment conducive to respect for cultural diversity,
human rights and mutual understanding.
“Since its initiation in 2008, the World Forum on Intercultural
Dialogue, also known as the ‘Baku Process’, has become a global
platform for exchange and discussion on major contemporary
challenges pertaining to intercultural dialogue and the sharing of
related universal values, which have become pressing issues to
address in our globalized world and increasingly diverse
societies,” Bokova further said.
“UNESCO was proud to co-organize this forum with the Government of
Azerbaijan, the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations, the World
Tourism Organization, the Council of Europe, as well as the Islamic
Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization,” she said.
“I am equally pleased that this Forum provided strategic impetus
and showcased the objectives of the International Decade for the
Rapprochement of Cultures (2013-2022), for which UNESCO is the lead
agency within the United Nations system,” Bokova said. “I take this
opportunity to renew my thanks to Ms Aliyeva for her continued
support to our Organization in this important domain.”
Further speaking, Bokova recalled and welcomed the first European
Games, which were held in Baku this year from 12 to 28 June.
Bokova said that UNESCO is the United Nations agency mandated to
promote sport and physical education through concerted,
collaborative and participatory action to support the rounded
development of every individual.
“The practice of sport is a recognized instrument for promoting
peace, as it disregards both geographical borders and social
classes,” she said. “It also plays a significant role as a promoter
of social integration and economic development in different
geographical, cultural and political contexts.”
“Our organization’s vision is clear, sport is a powerful tool to
strengthen social ties and networks, and to promote ideals of
peace, fraternity, solidarity, non-violence, tolerance and justice.
Also, sport is essential to youth, to healthy lives, and to
resilient societies,” Bokova said.
“I take this opportunity to congratulate, once again, Ms. Mehriban
Aliyeva for her personal commitment and support to these games in
her capacity as a chairperson of the Organizing Committee,” Bokova
said. “Ms. Aliyeva’s support in this field is in line with our
organization’s efforts to promote and develop sport and physical
education and to ensure that they form an integral part of national
and development strategies.”
UNESCO head also mentioned close cooperation of the organization
with the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, chaired by Mehriban Aliyeva, to
achieve strategic goals and program objectives by undertaking
activities in the fields of UNESCO’s activities.
She went on to add that the Heydar Aliyev Foundation had already
provided financial support for projects aimed at building and
strengthening the capacities in African countries.
She also emphasized the importance of other projects undertaken by
the Heydar Aliyev Foundation at the international level, such as
the construction of a secondary school for girls in Pakistan as
well as the project aiming to safeguard the intangible cultural
heritage in Haiti.
“All these projects are in line with UNESCO’s core mandate,” she
said.
In her capacity as President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation,
Mehriban Aliyeva continues to support the projects and activities
in the crucial fields such as cultural diversity as well as
intercultural dialogue, Bokova said.
“In this regard, I would like to reiterate my sincere gratitude for
Ms. Aliyeva’s unerring support to UNESCO, and to express my
appreciation for her continued support to our programs and
activities,” she said. “I am confident that our fruitful
cooperation will continue to grow in the years to come.”
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