We will restore our cultural heritage in the newly liberated territories, which is an integral part of the universal culture. The creative foundation in the newly liberated territories, which is history, art, rich material cultural monuments, mysterious nature, climate, richness of natural resources, will allow us to create the modern and innovative development centers and creative institutions in the nearest future.

This opinion was expressed by the Permanent Delegate of the Republic of Azerbaijan to UNESCO, Ambassador Elman Abdullayev at the opening ceremony of the 14th session of the Intergovernmental Committee of the 2005 Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions.

Ambassador Elman Abdullayev spoke about the role of the 2005 Convention in protecting and promoting diversity of cultural expressions, the creative industry developed in Azerbaijan, the work done to promote the creativity to develop an inclusive society, as well as providing the equal opportunities for the rich cultural expressions.

He said that the ResiliArt Movement that was launched by UNESCO in April 2020 shed the light on the current state of the creative industries through an exclusive global discussion with the key industry professionals and various artists on social media amid COVID-19 pandemic, which led to the closure of more than 80% of UNESCO World Heritage properties, cultural institutions and facilities.

Noting that the Ministry of Culture of Azerbaijan and the "Creative Azerbaijan" portal have invited artists and creators to join the UNESCO ResiliArt Movement, Abdullayev said that the Government of Azerbaijan has developed 21 new projects, campaigns and competitions to inspire the creativity and encourage our youth.

Moreover, he underlined that the creative foundation in the newly liberated territories, which is history, art, rich material cultural monuments, mysterious nature, climate, richness of natural resources, will allow us to create the modern and innovative development centers and creative institutions in the nearest future.

“After the liberation of the occupied territories of Azerbaijan, the international community has witnessed the massive destruction of many historical and cultural monuments by the occupiers. Azerbaijan is currently preparing a roadmap for the restoration of monuments in the liberated territories. We will do our best to restore our cultural heritage, which is an integral part of the universal culture. Our unique cultural heritage affirms our identity”, Abdullayev emphasized.

Touching upon Azerbaijan – UNESCO relations, which have reached a high level thanks to the contributions of the First Vice-President of Azerbaijan, UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador Mehriban Aliyeva, the Permanent Delegate to UNESCO said that in 2022, Azerbaijan is going to celebrate the 30th anniversary of its membership in UNESCO.

“During all these years as well as throughout its independence, Azerbaijan has established the strong partnership with UNESCO and implemented numerous joint projects in various fields, particularly on the cultural diversity and intercultural dialogue. Azerbaijan has historically been the homeland of the diverse cultures with its unique geographical, geopolitical and cultural space inhabited by the representatives of the most diverse national and ethnic groups. The culture, art, traditions and languages of different ethnic groups living in Azerbaijan are preserved in accordance with the UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions”, noted E.Abdullayev.

At the opening of the session, in connection with the beginning of the Year of Creative Economy for Sustainable Development, UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay, President of the 75th session of the UN General Assembly Volkan Bozkir, President of Colombia Iván Duque Márquez, as well as the representatives of the World Bank and the UN Conference on Trade and Development delivered their video messages. Afterwards, the agenda of the session, the list of observers, the detailed summary record of the thirteenth meeting of the Committee were adopted and the Secretariat’s report on its activities (2020) was heard.

The 14th session of the Intergovernmental Committee of the 2005 Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions, of which our country is the Vice-President, will continue its work until February 6, 2021.

Azerbaijan is represented at the session by the representatives of the Ministry of Culture and the Permanent Delegation to UNESCO.