Azerbaijan become member of UNESCO World Heritage Committee
By Amina Nazarli
Azerbaijan has become member of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee .
The 20th General Assembly of States Parties to the Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage was held at UNESCO headquarters within the 38th General Conference of the Organization between November 18 and 20.
As part of the meeting on November 18, the elections to the World Heritage Committee was held, where Azerbaijan was elected a member of the committee.
The success at the elections, will increase the role of Azerbaijan in protecting the world heritage and will give the chance to promote its own heritage.
The Committee is responsible for the implementation of the World Heritage Convention, defines the use of the World Heritage Fund and allocates financial assistance upon requests from States Parties.
It has the final say on whether a property is inscribed on the World Heritage List and also decides on the inscription or deletion of properties on the List of World Heritage in Danger.
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) seeks to encourage the identification, protection and preservation of cultural and natural heritage around the world considered to be of outstanding value to humanity. This is embodied in an international treaty called the Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, adopted by UNESCO in 1972.
Azerbaijan signed and ratified almost all the conventions and other legal instruments of UNESCO. In 2003, Azerbaijan and UNESCO signed the framework agreement on cooperation in the areas of culture, science, education and communication, which allowed Azerbaijan to become one of the donors of UNESCO.
Of note, the Icherisheher (Old City), Maiden Tower and Shirvanshah's palace was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2000, while since 2007 the Gobustan National Historical-Artistic reserve also listed among these heritages.
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Amina Nazarli is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @amina_nazarli
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