RA Minister of Foreign Affairs Ararat Mirzoyan gave a speech at the 42nd session of the UNESCO General Conference.

"First of all, I would like to congratulate H.E. Simona Mirela Miculescu on the occasion of her election as President of the 42nd Session of the General Conference and wish her every success in her responsible mission. I would also like to express my sincere gratitude to H.E. Irazabal Mourao for his excellent work as president during the 41st session of the General Conference.

Madam President, the ongoing challenges facing the world today, from military conflicts to the effects of climate change, underscore the imperative to redouble joint efforts in all areas under UNESCO's purview.

Therefore, we support UNESCO's future strategic decisions and program priorities, particularly in the areas of the right to education, cultural rights, freedom of expression, racism, discrimination, intolerance, and hate speech.

As a member of the Executive Board, Armenia will continue to support the implementation of Africa's global priorities and gender equality, as well as the implementation of priority groups, youth, and small island developing states.

As Co-Chair of the Friendly Group of Small Island Developing States, we will continue to support the implementation of the operational strategy to address the systemic vulnerabilities of this group of states.

Armenia firmly supports UNESCO's efforts to protect cultural heritage, especially in regions affected by conflicts and natural disasters. It condemns any attack on cultural symbols due to their different origins and identities.

In this context, Armenia reaffirms its commitment to continue supporting the restoration of Iraqi documentary heritage within the framework of UNESCO's flagship initiative, "Reviving the Spirit of Mosul."

2024 marks the 70th anniversary of the Hague Convention, and this landmark event provides an opportunity to reaffirm the international community's commitment to protecting cultural property during military conflicts. Armenia is ready to contribute to this critical jubilee framework.

Madam President, in the context of our common struggle to preserve fragile peace in different corners of the world while simultaneously promoting the values of living together, I draw your attention to the difficult situation prevailing in our region with deep concern.

Azerbaijan's 10-month blockade of Nagorno-Karabakh, the humanitarian crisis, the lack of food, medicine, gas, and electricity supplies, and ultimately, the large-scale military offensive and indiscriminate targeting of civilians and infrastructure have led to the forced displacement and ethnic cleansing of the entire indigenous Armenian population of Nagorno-Karabakh, forcing them to leave their homes and leaving behind sanctuaries and thousands of years of cultural and religious heritage.

Armenia is currently facing a massive influx of more than 100,000 refugees from Nagorno-Karabakh, including 30,000 children, who have fled their ancestral homeland in just a few days, fearing persecution and crimes. In cooperation with international organizations and partner states, the Government of Armenia has taken several measures to save the lives of refugees to meet the needs for protection and early rehabilitation. In this regard, I would like to express Armenia's gratitude to UNESCO and its Director General for sending an urgent UNESCO mission to Armenia to assess the educational needs of refugee children.

As for the remaining cultural and religious heritage in Nagorno-Karabakh, its protection from vandalism and looting is critical. Since the fall of 2020, the Republic of Armenia has continuously alerted the international community about the destruction, desecration, and appropriation of enormous religious and cultural heritage in and around Nagorno Karabakh, the state policy of Azerbaijan.

On December 7, 2021, the legally binding decision of the UN International Court of Justice on urgent measures obliged Azerbaijan to "take all necessary measures to prevent and punish acts of vandalism and desecration of Armenian cultural heritage, including churches and other places of worship, monuments, and landmarks," against sites, graves, and artifacts."

The deployment of an independent UNESCO fact-finding mission to Nagorno-Karabakh for independent monitoring and mapping of Armenian cultural heritage is a critical factor in preventing the destruction or distortion of Armenian cultural values, which was not successful in the case of the destruction of Armenian cultural heritage in Nakhijevan in 1997–2006.

In conclusion, I would like to emphasize Armenia's unconditional support for peace and the Organization's efforts to spread a culture of tolerance anchored in protecting and promoting human rights."