YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 29, ARMENPRESS. The Armenian Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport Vahram Dumanyan delivered a report at the UNESCO World Congress of Cultural Policy and Sustainable Development session on Heritage and Cultural Diversity in Crisis.

Dumanyan said in his remarks that in the 2020 war in Artsakh (Nagorno Karabakh), Azerbaijan captured more than 2000 Armenian historical-cultural monuments, as well as 12 state museums and galleries with 21000 exhibits. “We have serious concerns regarding the preservation of these historic sites given the well-known and documented practice of Azerbaijan of systematic destruction of Armenian cultural heritage in its territory over the past several decades, for example in the case of Nakhijevan. Azerbaijan is engaged in a policy of exterminating historic evidence of Armenian presence in Artsakh and nearby areas through deliberate destruction of Armenian monuments and cultural sites,” Dumanyan warned.

He further noted that the recent deadly Azeri attack on Armenia, which left hundreds dead after Azerbaijan bombarded towns and villages in sovereign Armenian territory, and the Azeri war crimes in Armenia are endangering the rich cultural heritage in affected regions, including more than 500 monuments, 14 museums with 45000 exhibits.

“Sending a UNESCO technical mission to Nagorno Karabakh and nearby areas is becoming more actual. Heritage and cultural diversity must be an important part of the peace process. Thus, I call on all international partners to raise their voice and contribute to preserving the millennia-old Armenian cultural and religious heritage in Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh. I’d like to emphasize that heritage is acknowledged to be an important factor for sustainable development, dialogue and peace. We strongly believe that respect and tolerance for cultural and national identities will ensure a peaceful and sustainable future for the nations to create and enrich global heritage,” Dumanyan said, addressing UNESCO members.