Statement by

H.E. Mr. Jeyhun Bayramov

Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan

43 rd Session of the UNESCO General Conference
31 October 2025

Samarkand, Uzbekistan

Dear Mr. President,

Distinguished delegates,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

At the outset, I would like to express our deep appreciation to brotherly Uzbekistan for the warm hospitality and excellent organization of the 43rd session of the UNESCO General Conference in the historic and beautiful city of Samarkand.

2025 marks the 80th anniversary of the United Nations Charter and the Constitution of UNESCO. This historic milestone is a reminder of the importance of our commitment to the principles of multilateralism and peace, and strengthening global solidarity based on our shared values.

Azerbaijan’s partnership with UNESCO is built on shared commitments to cultural heritage and diversity, inclusive education, scientific advancement, and global solidarity. Azerbaijan closely contributes to the programs of the Organization, supports initiatives in the fields of culture, education, youth empowerment, and intercultural dialogue, and contributes to Priority Africa through targeted partnerships and capacity building.

We support UNESCO as a donor country, guided by the Framework Agreement on Cooperation signed in 2013. Financed by the Government of Azerbaijan, the Trust Fund was efficiently used to support projects in many countries, in the fields of girls’ education, gender equality, literacy, and protection of cultural heritage. Moreover, jointly with UNESCO, we have
organized international events strengthening cultural diplomacy and promoting cooperative responses to common challenges, the 43rd Session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, and many other major events were hosted in Baku.

Azerbaijan cherishes dialogue, collaboration, mutual understanding, and respect among cultures and religions. Guided by this vision, we advance intercultural and interreligious dialogue worldwide through the Baku Process, launched in 2008 and endorsed by the UNESCO Executive Board. The World Forums on Intercultural Dialogue bring together leaders and civil society representatives to reduce cultural polarization and build bridges among communities.

Climate change increasingly threatens both cultural and natural heritage. In this regard, Azerbaijan’s leadership in multilateral cooperation was demonstrated with the successful hosting of COP29 in Baku, guided by the slogan “In Solidarity for a Green World”. Within this framework, we launched the “Culture for Climate” initiative, presented at COP29 and at UNESCO, and widely recognized by Member States and partners. Two high-level events were held at UNESCO Headquarters under the COP29 Presidency, one on Culture for Climate and the other on science, technology, and innovation for climate action and resilience.

Azerbaijan has made significant and sustainable contributions to the safeguarding and promotion of intangible cultural heritage. To date, 5 world cultural and natural heritage sites, as well as 24 Azerbaijani elements have been inscribed on the relevant UNESCO Lists, placing Azerbaijan in 5th ranking worldwide for the number of inscribed elements.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Nearly three decades of military occupation of Azerbaijan’s territories has inflicted deep damage on cultural heritage, including the destruction, misappropriation or neglect of monuments, religious sites, museums, and historical landmarks, with 1,891 cultural resources, comprising 67 mosques, 738 monuments, 28 museums with more than 83,500 exhibits, 4 picture galleries, 14 memorial complexes and 1,107 cultural establishments that led to a great cultural loss for Azerbaijan.

In the post-conflict period, Azerbaijan is conducting massive recovery, reconstruction, and peacebuilding efforts. Following the liberation of the country’s territories, restoration and protection of monuments in these areas, regardless of their origin, is among the priorities of the Azerbaijani government. At the same time, the continued presence of landmines and unexploded ordnance endangers professionals and communities, blocks access to sites, and
delays restoration.

In restoring the destroyed cultural heritage, Azerbaijan will continue to cherish and uphold the key principles of UNESCO.

Dear colleagues,

We fully support UNESCO’s emphasis on youth and education as engines of sustainable development. By Presidential Decree of 8 July 2023, we implement the Heydar Aliyev International Education Grant. This program provides one hundred scholarships annually, a total of 500 over 5 years, for students from OIC and NAM Member States, as well as from Small Island Developing States, to study in Azerbaijan.

Azerbaijan invests in educational reform, digital literacy, and opportunities for girls and young people in STEM. We attach great importance to the 2030 Agenda, especially SDG 4 on inclusive and equitable quality education and lifelong learning. Through the Azerbaijan/UNESCO Trust Fund, we have supported projects in the fields of development of health literacy, empowerment of girls, and promotion of gender equality in education in Africa.

Open Science, Artificial Intelligence, and Science Diplomacy are priority areas in our cooperation with UNESCO. We support responsible and ethical use of AI, promote bridging digital divides, and equal access to scientific knowledge.

Our National Commission for UNESCO stands ready to enhance partnerships through joint initiatives, regional networking, and youth-led programming to localize the 2030 Agenda and strengthen community ownership of UNESCO priorities. In 2022 and 2023, Azerbaijan organized training sessions on safeguarding cultural heritage for the UNESCO National Commissions of 24 African countries, which demonstrates our priority in this field.

In a time of division, UNESCO remains an important organization for understanding and cooperation. Let us continue to build bridges across continents, cultures, and generations, so that no region and no nation is left behind.

Thank you!