On June 12th the Public Administration Academy of Azerbaijan (PAA) hosted an event on 20 years of Azerbaijan-UNESCO relations.

The event participants got acquainted with a resource center in the Academy. The center is operating as part of International Dialogue for Environmental Action (IDEA) initiated by the vice-president of Heydar Aliyev Foundation Leyla Aliyeva.

In his opening remarks, PAA`s rector Urkhan Alakbarov underlined that the aim of UNESCO is to build bridge between the countries in the fields of education, science and culture, support strengthening of peace this way. He highlighted national leader Heydar Aliyev had great services in establishment of relations between Azerbaijan and UNESCO. The National leader met with the organization`s General Director as part of his visit to France in 1993, and held discussions for expanding bilateral ties.

Alakbarov pointed out that President Ilham Aliyev also pays great attention to boosting ties with a number of international organizations, including UNESCO. He underlined that thanks to the services of Azerbaijan`s First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva the relations with the organization reached its culminating point.

Speaking at the event, first secretary of the Azerbaijani National Commission for UNESCO Gunay Afandiyeva stressed that the relations established 20 years ago ‘are dynamically developing'. She underlined that Azerbaijan had hosted a number of UNESCO events as part of the projects realized under Azerbaijan`s President. "Azerbaijan`s hosting such events contributes to raising world community`s awareness about country`s realities. Mehriban Aliyeva was awarded the honorary title of Goodwill Ambassador of UNESCO for her contributions to the national music, literature and poetry, services in international cultural exchange, and her commitments to the ideas of UNESCO".

Then, director of PAA`s UNESCO Center Jahangir Hajiyev made a report on 15 years activity of the Center.

Also speaking at the event were Education Minister Misir Mardanov, Deputy Minister of Ecology and Natural Resrouces Novruz Guliyev, academician Akif Hajiyev.

UNESCO/MAB ("Man and Biosphere") annual edition was also presented at the event.

AzerTAc