Azerbaijan unveils UNESCO initiative to support small island developing states PHOTO

Azerbaijan has launched a new international programme to support Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in preserving their cultural and natural heritage, the country's Permanent Delegation to UNESCO announced during the 48th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee in Busan, South Korea.

The initiative was unveiled at the high-level event, World Heritage Strategy for SIDS, organised by the UNESCO World Heritage Centre, according to local media.

It aims to provide technical assistance and capacity-building support to help SIDS strengthen their institutional capabilities and improve the management and protection of World Heritage sites.

The programme will also offer expert and technical assistance to support the nomination of unique heritage sites in Small Island Developing States for inscription on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

According to the delegation, the programme is being developed by the Institute of Certification in Culture and Education.

Azerbaijan's Permanent Delegate to UNESCO, Elman Abdullayev, said the initiative would complement UNESCO's work by providing practical support tailored to the specific needs of SIDS, particularly in addressing the impact of climate change on World Heritage conservation.

He added that the programme would be implemented by international experts engaged by the Institute of Certification in Culture and Education, which has extensive experience in the field.

Lazare Eloundou, Director of the UNESCO World Heritage Centre, welcomed the initiative and thanked Azerbaijan for its support to Small Island Developing States.

Participants at the event said the programme represents an important step towards strengthening international solidarity, promoting the exchange of expertise in the protection of cultural and natural heritage, and enhancing the capacity of SIDS and other vulnerable countries.

By Aghakazim Guliyev