Azerbaijan UNESCO Relations: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow

Abstract

UNESCO, operating within the framework of the UN, considers science, culture, education, children's and human rights, ecology, and health to be important problems of the modern era. Currently, there is close cooperation between the Republic of Azerbaijan and UNESCO. As part of the organization's activities, Azerbaijan has conducted practical work in various countries in the direction of education, ecology, and the protection of cultural and historical heritage. For many years, the first lady of Azerbaijan, Mehriban Aliyeva, has been a UNESCO goodwill ambassador. Our country was able to become one of the members of the Executive Council of UNESCO during 2021–2025. It is known that for more than 30 years, 20 percent of the lands of Azerbaijan remained under Armenian occupation. During these years, more than a million refugees and tens of thousands of brutally killed civilians became victims of Armenian aggression. Unfortunately, for three decades, the world community has not been able to effectively use any means of pressure on Armenia. During these years, 95% of monuments of history and culture were destroyed in Karabakh lands under the occupation of Armenia. In this regard, close ties between Azerbaijan and UNESCO are important for our country.