Azerbaijan presents SIDS heritage programme at UNESCO

Azerbaijan has presented a programme at UNESCO aimed at strengthening the capacity of Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in the protection of World Heritage sites and reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the organisation's Africa strategy.

Azerbaijan's Permanent Representative to UNESCO, Elman Abdullayev, said the "Azerbaijan–SIDS: Capacity Building in World Heritage" programme is designed to strengthen institutional capacity, train specialists and support future nominations to the World Heritage List, Caliber.Az reports, citing local media.

Speaking during the 48th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee in Busan, South Korea, he maintained Azerbaijan's commitment to contributing to the implementation of the World Heritage Strategy for Africa and UNESCO's strategy for Small Island Developing States.

He stressed that Azerbaijan remains committed to the 1972 UNESCO Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage and will continue its practical cooperation with the World Heritage Centre.

The diplomat noted that the recently adopted "Culture of Azerbaijan 2040" concept sets out a long-term strategy for improving the management of cultural heritage sites, enhancing documentation, strengthening legal protection and restoring historical monuments.

Despite the continuing mine threat in parts of the country liberated after 30 years of occupation, Azerbaijan is continuing to inventory and document cultural heritage sites, Abdullayev said.

He also noted that in 2025, the village of Khinalig, part of the "Cultural Landscape of the Khinalig People and ‘Köç Yolu’ transhumance route", was included in the UN Tourism list of Best Tourism Villages.

Abdullayev recalled that 2026 has been declared the Year of Urban Planning and Architecture in Azerbaijan. He added that on July 23, an event dedicated to the SECURE (Sustainable and Empowering Cultural Revitalisation) initiative—introduced at the 13th World Urban Forum in Baku—will be held on the sidelines of the committee session. The initiative aims to promote cultural heritage preservation, sustainable development and the restoration of conflict-affected areas.

The 48th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee is taking place in Busan with the participation of delegations from states parties to the convention. Azerbaijan's delegation includes representatives of its Permanent Delegation to UNESCO, the National Commission for UNESCO, the Ministry of Culture and the State Tourism Agency.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov