First Vice-president Mehriban Aliyeva attends the opening ceremony of UNESCO World Heritage Committee’s 43rd Session

43^rd Session of UNESCO World Heritage Committee took place at the Heydar Aliyev Centre, Baku, June 30^th.

First Vice-president of the Republic of Azerbaijan, UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador Mehriban Aliyeva attended the ceremony.

One of the primary directions of Azerbaijan’s state policy aims at providing support to preservation and protection of the world heritage on an international level, along with protecting and promoting national and spiritual values, and historical and cultural heritage. To this end, Azerbaijan has built close cooperation with UNESCO since the time of regaining its state independence, making contribution to the organization’s activities. Successfully hosting the 8^th Session of the Intergovernmental Committee for Protection of UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage, Azerbaijan has been hosing, once every two years, the World Forum for Intercultural Dialogue, in official partnership with UNESCO. In accordance with the decision taken at the 42^nd Session of the World Heritage Committee, Azerbaijan was granted the right to host the following session of this reputable entity. Adoption of such a significant for Azerbaijan decision testifies to the high-level advancement of the partnership relations between Azerbaijan and UNESCO. President Ilham Aliyev signed a relevant Resolution to ensure properly holding of the session, which will be taking place from June 30^th until July 10^th, in Baku, whereby, high-level holding of the 43^rd Session of UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee was secured.

Mehriban Aliyeva addressed the ceremony.

Then, UNESCO Director General Audrey Azoulay, Chairperson of UNESCO’s Executive Council Lee Beyung-hun and Chairperson of the 43^rd Session of UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee, Minister of Culture of Azerbaijan Abulfas Garayev delivered a speech.

Thereafter, an interesting concert programme by Azerbaijani masters of art was presented.