NEWS
09 December, 2013
8th Session of UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee for Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage kicks off in Baku
The 8th Session of UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage has today started in Baku. Chaired by Azerbaijani Minister of Culture and Tourism Abulfas Garayev, the session brings together more than 780 delegates from 116 countries.
Books, magazines and booklets on Azerbaijan`s culture, history, art and modern development have been presented to the event participants.
Opening the event Azerbaijani Minister of Culture and Tourism Abulfas Garayev said that the session coincides with the 10th anniversary of the Convention for Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage. The minister said that the convention was adopted at the 32nd session of UNESCO General Conference in 2003 and was ratified by 155 representatives of 195 countries. The minister expressed confidence that the decisions adopted and the issues discussed at the session would play an important role in further strengthening of peace. Addressing the event, Azerbaijani Deputy PM Elchin Afandiyev said that the organization of such a prestigious event in Azerbaijan was a vivid evidence of high level bilateral relations between the organization and the country.
A congratulatory letter of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to the participants of the 8th Session of Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage was read out. A video address by Director-General of UNESCO Irina Bokova was featured. In the video address Bokova praised Azerbaijan`s cooperation with UNESCO and expressed her gratitude to President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Mehriban Aliyev for the active role in development of this cooperation.
Cecile Duvelle, Secretary of the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage said that UNESCO website broadcasts the session live.