Azerbaijan Launches International UNESCO Initiative to Support Small Island Developing States

Baku, The Gulf Observer: Azerbaijan has launched a new international technical assistance program aimed at strengthening the capacity of Small Island Developing States (SIDS) to protect and preserve their cultural and natural heritage, during a high-level side event held on the sidelines of the 48th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee in Busan, Republic of Korea.

The initiative, titled “International Technical Assistance Initiative of the Republic of Azerbaijan for World Heritage Pathway Capacity Building for Small Island Developing States (SIDS)”, was announced during the event on “World Heritage Strategy for SIDS,” organized by the UNESCO World Heritage Centre.

Initiated by the Chartered Culture and Education Institute of Azerbaijan (CCEI Azerbaijan), the program seeks to enhance the institutional capacity and professional expertise of SIDS by providing technical and expert assistance to facilitate the inclusion of significant cultural and natural sites from small island nations on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Speaking at the event, Azerbaijan’s Permanent Representative to UNESCO, Ambassador Elman Abdullayev, said the initiative reflects Azerbaijan’s commitment to supporting UNESCO’s efforts to safeguard global heritage. He noted that the program has been designed to address the specific needs of Small Island Developing States, particularly in strengthening their ability to protect World Heritage sites from the growing impacts of climate change.

Ambassador Abdullayev added that the initiative will be implemented with the participation of experienced international experts engaged by CCEI Azerbaijan, which possesses extensive expertise in heritage conservation and capacity-building.

Director of the UNESCO World Heritage Centre, Lazare Eloundou Assomo, welcomed the launch of the program and expressed appreciation for Azerbaijan’s support to Small Island Developing States, highlighting the significance of the initiative in advancing UNESCO’s global heritage preservation objectives.

Participants at the event described Azerbaijan’s new program as an important contribution to international cooperation, noting that it would promote the exchange of expertise in the protection of world cultural and natural heritage while strengthening institutional capacities in SIDS and other vulnerable countries.

The initiative underscores Azerbaijan’s growing role in supporting multilateral efforts to preserve global heritage and enhance resilience among countries facing unique environmental and development challenges.