Azerbaijan delivered the Statement on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement at the UNESCO session

The Statement on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement was delivered by Azerbaijan during the 215^th session of UNESCO.

The Statement is following:

Madame Chair of the Executive Board,

Mr. President of the General Conference,

Madame Director General of UNESCO,

Distinguished delegates,

It is a great privilege for the Republic of Azerbaijan, in its capacity as the Chair of the Non-Aligned Movement, to take the floor at the 215th Session of the Executive Board.

Since its establishment, the NAM has played a historical role in advancing global peace agenda, justice and solidarity in the world.

Being the largest international institution after the UN General Assembly, the NAM is considered a genuine example of multilateralism with its cross-regional membership, uniting 120 countries from diverse historical, political, and cultural backgrounds.

NAM underlines the importance of the Transforming Education Summit (TES) and Pre-Summit as a crucial momentum to support a global movement for education in response to the impacts and consequences of the education crisis worldwide.

Welcoming the organization of the UNESCO World Conference on Cultural Policies and Sustainable Development – MONDIACULT 2022, NAM emphasizes the fundamental role of culture and cultural policies for sustainable development.

Madame Chair,

NAM calls on UNESCO to continue its global priorities of Africa and Gender Equality and to give a priority approach to Small Island Developing States and youth.

NAM reiterates its condemnation of all forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, unilateral coercive measures and any kind of related intolerance, which constitute serious violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms.

NAM expresses its serious concern over the problem of non-implementation of provisions of the 1970 Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Properties by UN Member States and urge UNESCO to identify the stolen or illegally exported cultural properties in accordance with the relevant convention and tools on the subject.

NAM expresses concern over the remaining challenges to girls' education globally and recalls UNESCO's commitment to girls' education and the achievement of gender equality in and through education.

NAM condemns the attacks against the Holy site of Al-Aqsa Mosque and other World Heritage Sites including the Old Town of Hebron, the cultural landscape of Batir and Sebastia. NAM deeply deplores the campaign on the Palestinian educational system in East Jerusalem that aims to abolish the Palestinian curricula and suspension of the licenses of 6 Palestinian schools. NAM calls on the international community to remind Israel of its obligations under international law including UNESCO conventions and asks it to halt all violations in the fields of competence of the Organization.

Thank you.