Addresses delivered in the general policy debate by the Head of Delegation at the General Conference

37 session of the General Conference

S. E. M. Mikayil Jabbarov, Ministre de l’éducation de l’Azerbaïdjan

Speech delivered during the General Policy Debate of the 37th session of the General Conference - revised and corrected version of the verbatim records of plenary meetings

36 session of the General Conference - Leaders Forum

Her Excellency Mrs Mehriban ALlYEVA, First Lady of the Republic of Azerbaijan

Keynote Address at the Leaders' Forum of the 36th session of the General Conference (posted as received)

36 session of the General Conference

H.E. Mrs Gunay EFANDIYEVA, Secretary General of the National Commission for UNESCO

Speech delivered during the General Policy Debate of the 36th session of the General Conference and posted as received

35 session of the General Conference

H.E. Mr Misir Mardanov, Minister of Education

(Translation from Russian)
“I should like to use this opportunity to congratulate Ms Irina Bokova on her nomination as Director-General (…) and express my gratitude to Mr Koïchiro Matsuura for his successful management of UNESCO’s action and his great services in strengthening cooperation between Azerbaijan and UNESCO.”
“Our country has acceded to most of UNESCO’s standard-setting instruments and has participated in a number of large-scale projects.”
“The rapid economic development of Azerbaijan in recent years has created conditions for reforms in all areas, including in education systems (…). Under the programmes of Education for All implemented with UNESCO’s support, projects are being successfully carried out in the area of lifelong education, adult education and advanced training. We are pleased to relate that one of the United Nations’ five regional conferences on the eradication of illiteracy was held last year in the city of Baku.”
“A special place is occupied by cooperation with UNESCO in the field of culture. I am proud to say that the art of Azerbaijani Ashiq and the festival of Novruz were recently added to the UNESCO Intangible Heritage List.”
“In Africa, which is a priority region for UNESCO, our country is providing financial support for the project of cultural heritage schools in Benin.”
“Regarding Azerbaijan’s cooperation with UNESCO in the sciences, mention must be made of the State programme for the development of science for 2009-2015. I wish to express my profound gratitude to UNESCO for its assistance in the preparation of this programme.”
“In speaking about Azerbaijan’s cooperation with UNESCO, I should like particularly to note the activity of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and its President, the UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador Ms Mehriban Aliyeva. As a result of the Foundation’s activities within Azerbaijan and abroad, new schools, children’s homes, sports centres and medical facilities have been built. The Mugham Centre built in Baku in 2009 has held the first international festival dedicated to the ancient musical genre, the Mugham, which has been added to the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Heritage.”
“As a result of the military aggression of a neighbouring State, one fifth of our country’s national territory was occupied, more than 20,000 people died, over a million people became refugees and the country suffered material damage amounting to $60 billion. In Nagorno-Karabakh and neighbouring regions over 900 libraries, 700 educational and medical institutions, 26 museums and nine mosques were destroyed. I am sorry to say that all of this was the result of the aggression by Armenia with which we have lived as neighbours for centuries. As a consequence of this policy, 250,000 Azeris who historically lived in Armenia were driven out of that country, and many cultural monuments, mosques and cemeteries were destroyed (…). The victims are the people of Azerbaijan, their culture and nature. The victims are the Azeris who lived for centuries on the territory of what is now Armenia, including myself and my relatives. Madam President, Azerbaijan is attached to the ideals of UNESCO and is confident that this Organization is guided by a conception of a new humanism and is contributing to the re-establishment of stability and values which are common to all humanity.”

34 session of the General Conference

H.E. Mr Elmar Mammadyarov, Minister of Foreign Affairs

Azerbaijan expresses its appreciation to the World Heritage Committee for the nomination of the Gobustan State Historical Artistic Reserve to the World Heritage List. Azerbaijan supports UNESCO’s activities in this field and has ratified the Convention on the Protection of the Intangible Cultural Heritage.
The Government also stresses the importance of the funds in trust programme and to express its gratitude to Japan for helping to safeguard the Azerbaijan Mugham, masterpiece of Oral and Intangible Heritage.
Azerbaijan is geographically determined to a natural role of breach between civilizations, between east and west. The country is proud of its multi-ethnic society, long lasting religious and national tolerance. Furthermore, Azerbaijan held the initiative in organizing a conference in 2006 dedicated to the dialogue between the west and Islam.
However, Azerbaijan also deplores that a lot of issues pertaining to inter religious relations are exacerbated artificially. More efforts should be deployed to further developing international peace and tolerance through ethnic diversity and religious tolerance. And UNESCO is an indispensable centre for partnership in this issue.
“Extensive socio-economic development of Azerbaijan in recent years has created a favourable basis for the realization of large-scale reforms in the field of education. In the framework of the project “New School for Renewing Azerbaijan” implemented by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, more than 200 schools with all the necessary equipment have been built.”
“Some other important projects on vocational education, training of teachers and exclusive education are being implemented jointly with UNESCO within the framework of the Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation between Azerbaijan and UNESCO. […] The Education for All programme plays an important role in ensuring sustainable development and elimination of illiteracy and contribution to the achievement of Millennium Development Goals.”
“The most urgent troubles of the region today are the ongoing Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. As a result of the conflict, Azerbaijan has suffered extensive cultural disasters [and] numerous cultural, historical, religious monuments and piece of art have been plundered […].” Thus Azerbaijan urges UNESCO to follow closely the situation on the ground and protect Asian cultural heritage of the country.

Celebration of anniversaries

600th anniversary of the death of Nasimi (Sayyid ‘Imād-ad-Dīn), poet (1369-1417) (with the support of Kazakhstan, Iran (Islamic Republic of) and Turkey) (2017)

Nazimi (Imad-ad-Din) was born in Shamakha, Shirvan khanate (part of modern-day Republic of Azerbaijan). The great poet has left vast and precious poetic legacy in Azerbaijani, Persian and Arabic languages. His poetry has made a significant impact on the development of Azerbaijani as well as Ottoman Turkish poetic languages over the centuries. The ideas of free spiritual choice and principle of universal love guided the poet towards tolerance, looking above the boundaries, seeking the image of God hidden in every single human being. In this sense his perseverance, moral fortitude, along with intricate interplay of crystal clear language and most abstract and hermetic metaphors has made this personality one of the prominent figures in the Islamic poetry and worldwide literature. Nasimi’s death stands for many centuries for a symbol of suffering for the humanistic ideals.
Considering that Nasimi’s life and poetry had a significant impact on development of whole set of humanistic values in the region, the commemoration events will contribute to UNESCO's mission on promotion of mutual understanding, tolerance and culture of peace.

300th anniversary of the birth of Molla Panah Vagif, poet (1717-1797) (with the support of Kazakhstan and Turkey) (2017)

Molla Panah Vagif is one of the most outstanding Azerbaijan lyrical poets whose legacy has not just opened a new strand in the development of the national literature, but even organically “implanted” into folk poetry of ashyqs (minstrels), having inspired dozens of dedications and allusions through the generations of folk poets. Vagif, as a founder of the realism genre in Azerbaijani poetry, has written a great number of poems that have had wide circulation among people. His poetry has become a definite step in Azerbaijani literature discovering the new expressiveness. It has had an impact on processes during that period in Safavi (and later on – Qajar) Persian or Ottoman Turkish and other literatures of the region. After nearly three centuries, Vagif’s poetry is still widely appreciated, cited and recited. Vagif through his poetry promoted freedom, love, peace, respect of moral and ethical values, and mutual understanding – the principles that UNESCO stands for and advances.
The proposal highlights Vagif’s merit in bringing the poetry “from the caste of literary connoisseurs to the wider circles of the ordinary people”. The celebration of Vagif’s anniversary will acknowledge this significant cultural move from the past of one given literary tradition, promoting UNESCO’s adherence to the principles of diversity of cultural expressions. Commemoration of Vagif’s legacy will reflect UNESCO's overarching objectives – fostering cultural diversity, intercultural dialogue and a culture of peace, as well as contribute to its strategic activities in protecting, promoting and transmitting heritage.

200th anniversary of German settlements in the South Caucasus Region (Migration of the Schwab Germans to Azerbaijan and Georgia) (Azerbaijan and Georgia, with the support of Germany) (2016)

Beyond the celebration of German settlers in Azerbaijan and Georgia, this anniversary outlines a relevant aspect of the encounter among peoples from different cultural and religious backgrounds and the interaction that emerged, that will be celebrated with commemoration events in Azerbaijan, Georgia and in Germany. In the context of globalized and increasingly diverse societies with growing challenges to peaceful coexistence, this celebration carries a strong message of openness to the Other, of tolerance and respect of diversity and difference. It will particularly contribute to promoting intercultural and interreligious dialogue for better mutual understanding and peace, echoing in this regard the objectives of the International Decade for the Rapprochement of Cultures (2013-2022), for which UNESCO is the lead United Nations agency.

1100th anniversary of the death of Ahmad AI-Bardiji, philosopher and scholar (834-914) (2014)

The work of Ahmad Al-Bardiji related to religious tradition and dialogue and contributed to Islamic historiography, law and ethics. Highlighting the historiography of Islam and promoting universal ethical principles should serve to strengthening the mutual understanding between different religions. UNESCO’s association with this anniversary is in line with one of its main missions – promoting intercultural dialogue and safeguarding diversity of cultural expressions.

100th anniversary of the birth of Ilyas Afandiyev, writer and playwright (1914-1996) (2014)

As the author of more than 80 works, including plays, novels, short stories and essays Ilyas Afandiyev was well known in foreign audience. His works show the realities of life, social issues, family issues, intergenerational relationships, as well as the way out of the situation and problems. The heritage of Ilyas Afandiyev is still alive and studied in many institutions and research centres. This proposal is an example of outstanding life of a writer and poet who contributed to the promotion of principles of cultural diversity, tolerance and respect between people.

100th anniversary of the musical comedy Arshin Mal Alan of Uzeyir Hajibeyli (1913) (2013)

Arshin Mal Alan is the third and last musical comedy of the great Azerbaijan composer Uzeyir Hajibeyov, founder of the national composers’ school, and author of the first eastern opera.
He completed his work Arshin Mal Alan, which is close to the comic opera genre, in the summer of 1913, in St. Petersburg. Its depth of images and development level makes it a major and innovative musical and scenic form.

900th anniversary of achievements of Mahsati Ganjavi, poetess (12th century) (2013)

Mahsati Ganjavi was a 12th century poet, born in Ganje, Azerbaijan. She received an education closely acquainted with Eastern literature and music.
Mahsati Ganjavi was a famous rubai writer recognized not only in her epoch but much later also. Her most productive period of creation was spent in the palace of Sultan Mahmud Seldjuk and that of his uncle Sanjar Seldjuk. Mahsati Ganjavi commonly wrote rubai in Persian. The love plot holds the main place in her creations. The rubais are marked out by their worldliness, humanism, epicurism and optimism. Mahsati Ganjavi describes love as a fragile natural feeling which makes a man's fame higher. The poetess protested against religious prejudices, hypocrisy, conservatism and protected a man’s moral freedom. Her poems reflected the people’s, especially women’s, romantic dreams of a free and happy life.

550th anniversary of the death of Seyid Yahya Bakuvi (Shirvani), philosopher and poet (ca. 1390s-1463) (2013)

Founder of the Khalvatiyyah order, which is an important Sufi movement known for its strict ritual training of its dervishes and its emphasis on individual asceticism and retreat. This philosopher disseminated his movement worldwide. Today, his Mausoleum is very famous in the Old City of Baku (Icherisheher), which is now a World Heritage Site.

100th anniversary of the birth of Sattar Bahlulzade, artist (1909-1974) (2009)

Sattar Bahlulzade (1909 - 1974) is the founder of modern Azerbaijani landscape painting. He began his professional education at the National Art Institute in Baku (1927-1931). In 1933, he studied in the Drawing Department at the Moscow Fine Arts Institute. Sattar Bahlulzade developed his own impressionist style to express his emotional feeling. Bahlulzade described his own works as paintings of big lyrical landscapes and pictures with the singing of the nature of his native country. His major talent was landscape painting. Bahlulzade loved to travel around his country – Azerbaijan – exploring its beauty, which was the source of his inspiration. Many of his works depict specific areas of Azerbaijan. Sattar Bahlulzade won many prizes. He received the title of Honoured Art Worker of the Republic of Azerbaijan in 1960 and was named People’s Artist in 1963. His works have been exhibited all over the world, including personal exhibitions in the United States of America, United Kingdom, Turkey, Russian Federation, Czech Republic, Slovakia and Germany.

100th anniversary of the first opera in the East: “Leyli and Majnun” (1908) (2008)

“Leyli and Majnun” is the first national opera in Azerbaijan, Caucasus and in the East. It was written on the bases of 16th century poetical adaptation by the great Azerbaijani poet and philosopher Muhammad Fizuli of the beautiful story of two lovers Leyli and Majnun – Romeo and Juliet of the East.
The composer Uzeir Hajibeyov used classical samples of folk creativity – mugams and traditional opera forms – choir, ballet, duets and mass scenes. Azerbaijani Mugam was proclaimed a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity in 2003.
Thus, “Leyli and Majnun” opera became a founder of the unique genre in the world musical culture, which synthesizes Oriental and European musical forms, resembling a dialogue of two musical cultures of the East and the West.
This opera is one of the most favourite musical compositions of Azerbaijani audience. Since the premiere in 1908 it has been staged 20 000 times in Azerbaijani State Academic Theatre of Opera and Ballet and also in the theatres of foreign countries: Russian Federation, Ukraine, Islamic Republic of Iran, Turkey, Georgia, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan.

100th anniversary of Musa Aliyev, geologist (1908-1985) (2008)

Musa Aliyev was a prominent scientist in the field of geology, palaeontology and biochemistry and his works contributed to the development of the world’s science.
He was one of the founders and presidents of Azerbaijan Academy of Sciences. Musa Aliyev contributed to the organization of a number of scientific centres and laboratories, a chair and a museum of palaeontology in Azerbaijan State University and an Astrophysical Observatory in Shemakha. A school of stratigraphers founded by M. Aliyev is well known in the world. He conducted successfully research of oil and gas deposits in Caucasus, Central Asia and Western Siberia. He was also involved in research of regional geology and oil bearing potential in the Algerian Sahara, the Atlas Mountains and the Middle East.
He paid a great deal of attention to the collaboration of scientists in different countries and conducted educational and pedagogical activity.

100th anniversary of the birth of Mir Jalal Pashayev, writer (1908-1978) (2008)

Writer and literary critic Mir Jalal Pashayev (1908-1978) is recognized as a classical author, scholar and outstanding teacher who left a significant trace in Azerbaijan literacy science and made a valuable contribution in promotion of Azerbaijan literature. M.J. Pashayev was one of Azerbaijan’s most gifted short story writers when it came to satirizing Soviet bureaucracy. A professor of literature at Baku State University, he wrote hundreds of short stories during his spare time. Seventy of his books are in print. Some have been translated into French, Czech, Persian, German and English. He also co-authored the three-volume, “History of Azerbaijani Literature (1957-1960)”. His most well known books include: “Resurrection Man” (“Dirilan Adam”, 1936), “Manifest of a Young Man” (“Bir Ganjin Manifesti”, 1938), “Where Are We Going?” (“Yolumuz Hayanadir”, 1957) and “People of the Same Age” (“Yashidlar”, 1984).

100th anniversary of the birth of Latif Kerimov, carpet-maker artist (1906-1991) (2006)

Development of ornamental and pictorial carpets in modern Azerbaijan has been closely connected with the name of the great carpet designer and people’s artist Latif Husein Kerimov. Chronicler-scientist, historian of Azerbaijan carpet art, artist of carpet-making and of fine arts, Letif Kerimov was also a connoisseur of Azerbaijan and East Literature, and a virtuoso of styles naskh and nastaliq. His profound knowledge of the traditional ornamental art helped him to create new decorative motives. Kerimov was the founder of the Azerbaijani Carpet and Applied Art State Museum which was opened in Baku in 1967. Kerimov was also involved in organizing the two international symposiums “Oriental Carpet Art” and “Azerbaijani Carpet Art” held under the auspices of UNESCO in 1983 and 1988 in Baku. Kerimov’s unique works were exhibited in many countries. He carried on extensive researches in the field of decorative applied art. He contributed to the diffusion of Azerbaijan culture by his own creations and by his eruditeness and was one of the most acknowledged intellectuals in the East.

100th anniversary of the birth of Yusif Mammedeliyev (2005)

Yusif Mammedeliyev (1905-1961) was an eminent scientist who contributed to the development of international research in the field of chemistry. Numerous commemorative events in his honour will be held, including scientific conferences in the Member States of the Commonwealth of Independent States.

200th anniversary of the birth of Mirza Kazem-Bey (2002)

The work done by Mirza Kazem-Bey (1802-1870) is of worldwide importance, for he was one of the founders of Oriental studies in Russia. As Director of the Faculty of Oriental Studies of the University of Kazan and founder and first Dean of the Faculty of Oriental Studies of the University of Saint Petersburg, he trained such renowned Orientalists as K. Foygt, I. Berezin, N. Ivanov, O. Kovalevsky, D. Mitchell, V. Dittel and A. Popov.
Mirza Kazem-Bey was elected a member of the Paris-based Société Asiatique (1850), the American Oriental Society (1851) and the American Philosophical Society (1862).

Eight hundredth anniversary of the birth of Nasir ad-Din Toosi (Azerbaijan and Islamic Republic of Iran) (2001)

The renowned astronomer, mathematician and philosopher (1201-1272) predicted the position of the Sun, the Moon and various planets. He made a significant contribution to trigonometry and spherical geometry and was active in other areas of science, medicine, ethics and law.

One thousand three hundredth anniversary of the epic Azerbaijani legend Kitab-i Dede Qorqud (1998).

A collection of a number of tales in prose, interspersed with verse passages, the oldest surviving specimen of the Oghuz epic, and one of the most remarkable literary monuments for Azerbaijan proclaiming the universal values of tolerance, and humanism.
They are named after the sage, a legendary character who appears in each tale, and refers to the poet-magicians of the shamanistic era covering Azerbaijan, Anatolia and Turkestan.
Many scholars worldwide have been occupied with elucidating the historical, literary, linguistic, ethnological, and folklorist aspects that surrounds Kitab-i Dede Qorqud. It is considered as a masterpiece of the Oghuz tribes, and the Turkish speaking peoples, in a pre-Islamic age - between the fifth and seventh centuries.

Centenary of the deciphering of the Orhon Gol and Yenisey inscriptions (1994)

The inscriptions of Orkhon and Ienissei’, the most ancient of which date back to the sixth century of our era, are the first evidence of the Turkish language to have survived to the present day. Deciphered by the Danish linguist V. Thomsen, they were read for the first time by the Russian Turcologist Radlov in 1894 and are considered to be part of the cultural heritage of Turkish-speaking peoples the world over.
These inscriptions provide the historical, biographical, legal and religious information which made it possible to define the forms of ancient Turkish culture that existed in central Asia and eastern Europe.