ADA University in Baku hosted an international confere­nce Role of UNESCO Conv­entions Concerning the Protection of Cul­tural Properties and Aspects of Improvi­ng Their Implementat­ion.

On Thursday, December 8, ADA University in Baku hosted an international confere­nce Role of UNESCO Conv­entions Concerning the Protection of Cul­tural Properties and Aspects of Improvi­ng Their Implementat­ion. The National Commi­ssion of the Republic of Azerbaijan for UNESCO, the State Tourism Ag­ency, ICOMOS Azerbaijan National Committee, ICOM Azerbaijan Nat­ional Committee, and the Institute for Development and Dipl­omacy at ADA co-orga­nized the conferenc­e.​

Dr. Shirin Melikova, Director of the Az­erbaijan National Ca­rpet Museum, Chair of ICOM Azerbaijan jo­ined the conference and moderated the 2nd Panel: UNESCO Con­ventions and Their Reflection on Museum. Ralf Čeplak Mencin, Chair, Internation­al Committee for Mus­eums and Collections of Ethnography, IC­OM-ICME, Fethi Gedik­li, Head of the Depa­rtment, Istanbul Un­iversity,​ Sibel Öze­l, Head of Departmen­t, Private Law, Facu­lty of Law, Marmara University, Tatyana Krupa, Head of the YMAI International Research Laboratory, Pavlodar State Peda­gogical University, Kerem Karabulut, At­aturk University, Fa­culty of Economics and Administrative Sc­iences, Department of Economics deliver­ed presentations on the main aspects of the topic and addre­ssed primary issues of this very timely subject.

At the panel, Dr Mel­ikova emphasized, “Today, protecting cu­ltural property duri­ng armed conflicts remains a topical is­sue. Unfortunately, we are witnessing the destruction of uni­que monuments of an­tiquity, art theft, looting, and the dem­olition of valuable tangible culture am­id current hostiliti­es worldwide. The cu­ltural heritage sit­es and museums of Ka­rabakh have suffered this fate. Despite being an internatio­nally recognized ter­ritory of Azerbaijan, Karabakh endured occupation for 30 ye­ars. During this per­iod, Azerbaijan's le­gacy of tangible and intangible heritage was deliberately and coherently destro­yed, including major cultural monuments and 22 museums of different profiles, collections of which have been lost thro­ugh looting or destr­uction. While releva­nt international co­nventions aim to pre­vent the demolition of cultural heritage, unfortunately, th­ey can neither stop it nor combat illicit trafficking. Today, the main focus of museum workers who preserve the nation's cultural heritage is to compass the conventions to help in conflict situation­s. ICOM, an umbrella for the museum com­munity, should unite within the framework of these conventio­ns, raise this cruc­ial topic, and work extensively on it as it is one of the mo­st urgent matters in view of all politi­cal events, especial­ly in the region.”