Azerbaijan, ICCROM discuss prospects of cooperation

Azerbaijan Culture Minister Adil Karimli has met with the Director General of the International Centre for the Study of the Preservation of Cultural Property (ICCROM) Aruna Francesca Maria Gujral on the sidelines of the COP29, Azernews reports.

Adil Karimli expressed his gratitude to the guest for participating in the 2024 UN Climate Change Conference (UNFCCC COP 29)

He pointed out that the Azerbaijani state always pays attention to the protection and restoration of cultural heritage.

Azerbaijan has so far successfully participated in the protection of monuments belonging to a number of religions at the local and international levels, both at the state level and through the Heydar Aliyev Foundation headed by First Vice-President Mehriban Aliyeva.

Azerbaijan has allocated funds for the reconstruction of the Islamic culture section of the Louvre Museum in Paris, the restoration of the Strasbourg Cathedral, and the repair of the “Hall of Philosophers” of the Capitoline Museum in Rome.

The Culture Minister also informed the guest about the vandalism and looting carried out against our historical and cultural heritage in the territories of Azerbaijan that have been under the occupation of Armenia for nearly 30 years.

He said that currently, systematic work is being carried out by our state to restore the destroyed and looted monuments.

The ICCROM Director-General expressed his gratitude for the high-level organization of COP29 and the opportunity to meet.

During the conversation, discussions were held on the development of cooperation between Azerbaijan and ICCROM, the exchange of experience in the field of protection and restoration of cultural heritage samples, the organization of joint training, seminars and other issues. At the end, the guest was presented with a souvenir.

Note that the International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property (ICCROM) is an intergovernmental organization created to promote the conservation of all forms of cultural heritage, in every region of the world.

Its mission is to provide Member States with the best tools, knowledge, skills and enabling environment to preserve their cultural heritage in all of its forms, for the benefit of all people. Through its work, ICCROM is contributing to the environmental, social and economic sustainability of communities.

Working on the front lines of conservation, nationally and internationally, and with institutions and professionals on the ground, ICCROM commits to studying and promoting cultural heritage conservation; mobilizing and coordinating expertise to address critical issues of conservation; providing the training and research tools for implementation to strengthen the professional community.

ICCROM is an active partner in the World Heritage Information Network. As an Advisory Body to the World Heritage Committee, it provides expert advice on how to conserve and manage listed properties, and it offers a variety of training opportunities to professionals charged with their care.