The first Steering Committee meeting of the Framework Agreement for cooperation in the areas of Education, the sciences, culture and communication was held between UNESCO and the Republic of Azerbaijan

The first Steering Committee meeting of the Framework Agreement for cooperation in the areas of Education, the sciences, culture and communication signed between the Republic of Azerbaijan and UNESCO was held at UNESCO headquarters in Paris on March 11 2016.

In his opening speech, while talking about the history of Azerbaijani-UNESCO relations, the Permanent Delegate of the Republic of Azerbaijan to UNESCO Mr. Anar Karimov, provided a brief information about the difficulties that Azerbaijan faced since the restoration of its independence  

Mr. Karimov talked about the occupation by Armenia of 20% of Azerbaijani territories since the first days of its independence, its harmful consequences, about humanitarian aid that Azerbaijan received during the mentioned difficult period, as well as the big economic development in a short period of time. 

Mr. Karimov mentioned the role of the President of Heydar Aliyev Foundation, the First Lady of the Republic of Azerbaijan, UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador -Mrs. Mehriban Aliyeva in developing the Azerbaijani UNESCO relations. He stressed that by means of the efforts of the First Lady of the Republic of Azerbaijan in permanently supporting of the principles and humanitarian activities of UNESCO - the cooperation between Azerbaijan and UNESCO was very effective in recent years. 

It was mentioned that the Steering Committee meeting will serve to deepening the bilateral relations between Azerbaijan and UNESCO.

The reports on projects supported by Azerbaijan within UNESCO programs were presented at the meeting. 

The information was given on projects supported by Azerbaijan on girls’ education in Tanzania, Liberia, Uganda and Kenya, Avicenna Virtual Campus in Central Asia, as well as projects on intercultural dialogue, education, the sciences and culture.   

The meeting was attended by the representatives of the National Commission of the Republic of Azerbaijan for UNESCO, Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Permanent Delegation of the Republic Azerbaijan to UNESCO.