Azerbaijan's Rep to UNESCO calls for urgent measures to protect African heritage

Urgent measures must be taken to protect African heritage, according to the Permanent Representative of Azerbaijan to UNESCO, Ambassador Elman Abdullayev, Report informs.

He made this statement at the event titled "Supporting World Heritage in Africa" held at UNESCO headquarters.

Abdullayev noted that despite its vastness and diversity, Africa's cultural heritage is disproportionately represented on the World Heritage List. "Only 12.2% of the cultural properties included in the list are from Africa. Moreover, 32% of the monuments on UNESCO's List of Monuments in Danger are located in Africa," he stated.

According to him, these statistics underscore the need for urgent measures to protect and more widely represent African heritage. In this regard, financial and technical support to partners operating in Africa should be increased.

The diplomat highlighted that the Azerbaijan/UNESCO Trust Fund has provided appropriate support to the African World Heritage Fund, with financial support allocated again in 2025.

The event continued with presentations by a representative of the World Heritage Center and the head of the African World Heritage Fund.

This was followed by a round table discussion titled "Supporting the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention in Africa," moderated by Albino Jopela, Executive Director of African World Heritage Fund (AWHF).

The event, which was jointly organized by the Permanent Mission of Azerbaijan to UNESCO, the UNESCO World Heritage Center, the AWHF, and the Permanent Mission of South Africa to UNESCO, focused on increasing support for the World Heritage Convention in Africa. It emphasized the need for international cooperation and increased financial resources to protect Africa's rich cultural and natural heritage and ensure its worthy representation on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

The African World Heritage Fund, headquartered in South Africa, was established by the African Union in 2006 with UNESCO's support. The organization aids African countries in implementing the World Heritage Convention, including the effective protection and enhancement of cultural and natural heritage.