Baku, March 18, AZERTAC

An Azerbaijani delegation led by Chairman of the State Tourism Agency Fuad Naghiyev has held a number of meetings with several senior officials of the UNESCO World Heritage Center and World Heritage Committee.

During the meetings, held with UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Culture Ernesto Ottone Ramirez, as well as Assistant Director-General for Social and Human Sciences Gabriela Ramos and Director of the UNESCO World Heritage Centre Lazare Eloundou Assomo, the sides discussed cooperation issues between Azerbaijan’s State Tourism Agency and the UNESCO.

Fuad Naghiyev provided insight into the reforms carried out in the country in the field of tourism, as well as the work done in field of cultural heritage protection. The Azerbaijani side stressed the importance of taking certain steps to further strengthen the exchange of experience in the field of tourism with UNESCO.

Azerbaijan’s State Tourism Agency was invited to attend the UNESCO Silk Roads Programme`s 35th Anniversary Exhibition to be held in Paris, in April 2023.

During the meeting with the permanent representatives of the member countries of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, the Azerbaijani delegation made a presentation on the "Cultural Landscape of Khinalig and the Migration Route" nomination document. The document prepared for inclusion in the World Heritage List meets the selection criteria of UNESCO.

The Azerbaijani delegation also met with the leadership of the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) to exchange views on the nomination document. During the meeting, the sides reached a preliminary agreement on launching joint scientific research within the cooperation between Azerbaijan’s State Tourism Agency and the ICOMOS.

Permanent Representative of the Republic of Azerbaijan to UNESCO Elman Abdullayev was also present at the meetings.