On September 23, within the framework of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly, Azerbaijan presented an international technical assistance program aimed at protecting the cultural and natural heritage of small island developing states, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs told APA.
According to the ministry, ministers of small island states, permanent representatives to the UN, members of the diplomatic corps and other high-ranking representatives attended the event titled “From Island Heritage to World Heritage,” organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan.
Speaking at the event, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan Yalchin Rafiyev said that strengthening the practical capacities of small island states and expanding international cooperation are of particular importance for protecting their cultural and natural heritage in the face of climate change and other environmental threats.
Emphasizing Azerbaijan’s commitment to cooperation and international solidarity in this area, the Deputy Minister said that the country will provide technical assistance to three island states each year in compiling tentative lists as part of preparations for the nomination process for UNESCO’s World Heritage List.
It was announced at the event that the first pilot phase of the program will cover Guinea-Bissau, Palau and the Dominican Republic.
The foreign ministers of Guinea-Bissau and Palau, as well as a high-ranking representative of the Dominican Republic, thanked the Azerbaijani government for including their countries in the pilot phase.
The ministers of Grenada, the Maldives and the Bahamas also described the program as a timely and targeted initiative that meets the needs of small island states. Representatives of Germany, Türkiye, Russia and other countries who participated in the discussions emphasized that the program would contribute to the development of international partnerships and the protection of world heritage.
Practical issues related to the implementation of the program were discussed during the continuation of the event. The program envisages training more than 80 local specialists from 39 island states.
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