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Ali Ahmadov: Issues raised by Azerbaijan are still met with silence by UNESCO

Ali Ahmadov, Deputy Prime Minister of Azerbaijan

08 December 2022 09:42 (UTC +04:00)

"As a result of the military aggression of Armenia, Azerbaijan, along with many losses, suffered losses of cultural wealth, and its cultural wealth was destroyed," said Deputy Prime Minister Ali Ahmadov at the international scientific conference "The Role of UNESCO Conventions Concerning the Protection of Cultural Properties and Aspects of Improving Their Implementation," jointly organized by the National Commission of the Republic of Azerbaijan for UNESCO, ICOMOS Azerbaijan National Committee, ICOM Azerbaijan National Committee and the Institute for Development and Diplomacy of ADA University, APA reports.

The deputy minister said that as a result of Armenia's aggression, our civilians were killed, cities and villages were destroyed, and our cultural and spiritual resources were destroyed and looted for 30 years.

Ali Ahmadov said that after the liberation of the Azerbaijani lands as a result of the 44-day war, the global community got acquainted with the vandalism committed on these lands on site: "During the 30-year occupation period, the Azerbaijani people faced great economic losses, and the rich cultural heritage of our people was destroyed. Our appeals regarding blows inflicted on Azerbaijan and the destruction of our cultural resources were met with silence by separate institutions and UNESCO. Azerbaijan's rightful voice of alarm was not heard. Even after the liberation of our lands, UNESCO continues to stay indifferent on this issue. UNESCO's position on this issue is not encouraging. The Armenian armed forces chose civilian objects and objects considered cultural wealth as targets for the attack, as a result of which our rich wealth was destroyed.”

He said that the issues raised by Azerbaijan are still met with silence by UNESCO: "If any institution does not fulfill its duties or does not want to do it, then it is necessary to look for alternatives. The country suffering from these approaches is not only Azerbaijan, there are other countries as well, either the institution should act objectively, or the countries will think about alternatives."