On October 31, in Samarkand, Deputy Foreign Minister of Armenia Robert Abisoghomonyan participated and delivered remarks at the General Policy Debate of the 43rd Session of the UNESCO General Conference.

In his remarks, the Deputy Foreign Minister particularly noted:

“Mr. President,

Madame Director General,

Excellencies,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

At the outset, I would like to extend my sincere congratulations to you, Mr. President, on your election and wish you every success. I also thank H.E. Ms. Simona-Mirela Miculescu for her excellent work.

I warmly congratulate Professor Khaled El-Enany on his election as Director-General. Armenia looks forward to fruitful cooperation with him and his team. 

We are also grateful to Madame Audrey Azoulay for her dedicated leadership throughout her tenure.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

As we approach the 80th anniversary of UNESCO, we celebrate not only its lasting legacy, but also its continued relevance in a world facing unprecedented challenges. UNESCO’s mission remains as vital as ever. We must therefore strengthen the foundations of peace through dialogue, mutual respect, education and the preservation of cultural diversity.

Armenia believes that education is the cornerstone of our work to build just, peaceful and inclusive societies. We strongly support UNESCO’s efforts to advance peace education, global citizenship and human rights. As one of the few countries actively integrating artificial-intelligence education into its national education system, Armenia stands ready to share its experience with UNESCO and its Member States in this important endeavor. 

At the same time, innovation must go hand in hand with values: education should foster not only skills for the future but also responsibility, empathy and respect for human dignity. It is therefore a powerful instrument for preventing genocide and other atrocity crimes, as well as for countering hate speech and identity-based discrimination. 

Armenia attaches particular importance to ensuring quality, affordable and inclusive education, focusing on the most vulnerable, including refugees. 

Mr. President,

For Armenians culture has always been a source of strength, defining our identity and shaping resilience. Throughout our history, we have both contributed to and learned from cultures around the world. 

Armenian cultural heritage can be found not only within Armenia and its neighboring countries but in nearly every corner of the globe. Armenian cultural presence is visible in churches, shrines and other monuments from Singapore, Dhaka and Kolkata to Isfahan, Jerusalem, Venice, Paris, and, indeed, Samarkand, reflecting Armenia’s long-standing traditions of intercultural dialogue. 

Armenia reaffirms its strong support for UNESCO’s actions to safeguard cultural heritage worldwide, including in regions affected by armed conflict and natural disasters. 

We are proud to contribute to the restoration of Iraq’s documentary heritage through UNESCO’s “Revive the Spirit of Mosul” initiative and stand ready to offer our expertise elsewhere. Armenia has also contributed to Blue Shield International in support of projects in Lebanon. We work with the State of Palestine to provide temporary shelter for endangered Palestinian cultural heritage at the Armenian Institute of Ancient Manuscripts in Yerevan.

Last October, Armenia and UNESCO jointly organized an international meeting in Yerevan marking the 70th anniversary of the 1954 Hague Convention, dedicated to the protection and restoration of cultural heritage through new and emerging technologies. Building on this cooperation, this November we will hold an International Conference commemorating the 20th anniversary of the 2005 Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions.

Beyond culture, Armenia also contributes to UNESCO’s development agenda. The needs of Small Island Developing States remain a priority for Armenia in UNESCO. As a co-founder and co-chair of UNESCO Group of Friends of SIDS, Armenia initiated a decision of Executive Board to proclaim 25 April the International Day for SIDS. 

Armenia attaches particular importance to UNESCO’s Priority Africa. In this regard, the Armenian Diplomatic School is organizing specialized courses for diplomats from African states. Armenia also plans to allocate 30 scholarships for students from African nations. These initiatives reflect Armenia’s belief in global solidarity and capacity-building as pathways toward a fairer and more inclusive multilateral system.

In October next year, Armenia will host the 17th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity. Bearing in mind UNESCO’s important role in biodiversity conservation through its educational and research programmes, networks of natural World Heritage Sites, biosphere reserves and Global Geoparks, we look forward to close cooperation with the Organization in preparation for COP17. 

Mr. President,

This year has been a remarkable one for our region. On 8 August, in Washington D.C., the leaders of Armenia, Azerbaijan and the US signed a Joint Declaration, and the Foreign Ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan initialed the Agreement on the Establishment of Peace and Inter-State Relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan. These agreements marked the establishment of peace between our countries. This long-awaited development has opened a new chapter for the South Caucasus, creating a more stable and cooperative regional environment. We are confident that this new environment of peace will create opportunities for deeper regional engagement, including in the spheres of protection of cultural heritage. It is essential to ensure that cultural and religious monuments are preserved in their historical authenticity and protected from neglect and misuse.

Looking ahead, Armenia reaffirms its commitment to continued close cooperation with UNESCO and all Member States. By working together, we can uphold the founding principles of this Organization and ensure that future generations inherit a world that is more just, inclusive, and peaceful.

Thank you.”