At the ministerial meeting of the Forum of Ancient Civilizations, Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan highlighted the recent visit of experts to the Nagorno-Karabakh region. The mission aimed to document the condition of Armenian cultural heritage in the area, underscoring the importance of its preservation.

The minister emphasized the importance of intercultural and interfaith dialogue, highlighting Armenia's dedication to preserving and promoting the heritage of ancient civilizations in the quest for a culture of peace and non-violence https://www.1lurer.am/en/2024/09/25/Statement-by- H-E-Mr-Ararat-Mirzoyan-Minister-of-Foreign-Affairs-of-Armenia-at-Ministerial-Meeting-o/1193847.

The minister highlighted that today, false cultural narratives are often employed as a tool to justify territorial claims and exacerbate conflicts, thereby undermining the security, stability, socio-economic, and cultural development of the affected states. In light of these challenges, he stressed the urgency of bolstering initiatives dedicated to the preservation of cultural heritage.

In this regard, Armenia places particular emphasis on the crucial role of UNESCO as the leading United Nations agency for the protection of cultural heritage and the promotion of culture. To ensure the success of this mission, it is essential to enhance UNESCO's capacity, broaden its expertise, and improve its monitoring tools.

Alongside these institutions, the Forum of Ancient Civilizations holds significant potential to address current challenges by fostering intercultural and interreligious dialogue, promoting respect for cultural diversity, and ensuring inclusiveness in the pursuit of peace, security, sustainable development, and the protection of human rights.

This year marks the 70th anniversary of the 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict. Armenia regards this convention as one of the most crucial international instruments for safeguarding cultural heritage and is deeply committed to its thorough implementation.

The minister further noted that Armenia has not been exempt from the consequences of contemporary disruptions in the global order. The nation is experiencing a rise in intolerance, xenophobia, and the destruction of its cultural heritage.

In the aftermath of the ethnic cleansing in Nagorno-Karabakh, Armenian cultural heritage, with its history spanning thousands of years, faces an imminent threat of eradication. Given these circumstances, Armenia strongly advocates for the urgent deployment of an independent UNESCO expert mission to Nagorno-Karabakh to assess, document, and protect the endangered Armenian cultural heritage.

The deliberate and systematic destruction, desecration, and misappropriation of Armenian cultural and religious sites and artifacts represent a direct violation of the legally binding decision of the International Court of Justice. This decision obligates Azerbaijan to take all necessary measures to prevent and address instances of vandalism and desecration impacting Armenian cultural heritage, including churches, religious structures, monuments, landmarks, cemeteries, and artifacts.