Recognising the significance of international cooperation as a vital component in positioning and developing the country within the globalised world, promoting national cultural values on the global stage, and fostering intercultural dialogue, cultural diplomacy plays a crucial role in the national cultural policy implemented in the Republic of Azerbaijan. The main sectors of the cultural diplomacy implemented are multilateral international cooperation with global and regional organisations in the field of culture, enhancement and expansion of bilateral international relations in culture with foreign countries, effective functioning of the Azerbaijani cultural centres in foreign countries, and consulting, methodical, organisational, technical, and other assistance to the cultural centres founded by the Azerbaijani diaspora.
Promoting national culture and the Azerbaijani multicultural model internationally, strengthening positions in profile international organisations, recognising Azerbaijan as a centre for intercultural dialogue, international awareness raising regarding the state of cultural heritage in the liberated territories, returning stolen cultural assets, establishing direct and effective cooperation between national cultural institutions and their partners abroad, promoting the export of Azerbaijani national cultural products (crafts, literature, music), transforming Azerbaijan into a regional hub in the field of cultural and creative industries are among the declared directions of state cultural diplomacy implemented in recent years.
The Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan drafts and implements bilateral and multilateral foreign cultural policy in coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the central executive body in Azerbaijan responsible for implementing all international relations and cooperation issues. The Republic considers developing and strengthening global standard-setting activities essential and has acceded to numerous international conventions.
As a result of active participation in the work of international organisations, the Republic of Azerbaijan was elected as a member of the following electoral bodies:
- The Executive Board of UNESCO (2005-2009);
- The Consultative Council for Implementing the Cultural Strategy for the Islamic World (ICESCO, 2005-2008);
- The Intergovernmental Committee for the Restoration and Promotion of the Return of Illegally Acquired Cultural Property (UNESCO, 2011-2015);
- The Committee for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict (UNESCO, 2011-2015 and 2015-2019);
- The World Heritage Committee (UNESCO, 2015-2019);
- The Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (UNESCO, 2018-2022);
- The Intergovernmental Committee of the Convention for the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions[1] (UNESCO, 2019-2023);
- The Subsidiary Committee of the Meeting of States Parties to the 1970 Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property (UNESCO, 2023-2027);
- The Scientific Committee of the Asian Cultural Heritage Alliance (ACHA, 2024 – present); and
- The Islamic World Heritage Committee (IWHC) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) (2024 – present).
- The ICESCO regional office has operated in Baku, Azerbaijan, since 2024.
The country is also interested in hosting global international cultural events: the Baku Process, launched in 2008, the 7th Global Forum of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC), held in Baku, Azerbaijan (2016), and the biannual Baku World Forums on Intercultural Dialogue (2011-2024) are some examples of Azerbaijan’s global cultural activity.
The Government develops bilateral international relations and implements intergovernmental and interdepartmental agreements, programs, protocols and other documents to promote Azerbaijani culture and arts internationally. A legal framework for cultural cooperation with more than 40 countries exists; nine agreements were updated in 2023-2024.
Participation in Intergovernmental Commissions and Working Groups is essential in developing international bilateral relations in culture. Thus, the Ministry of Culture participated in the meetings of the 19 Intergovernmental Commissions in 2023 (including Hungary, Israel, Serbia, Lithuania, Romania, India, Morocco, Great Britain, etc.) and the 14 Intergovernmental Commissions in 2024 (including Albania, Montenegro, Bulgaria, Uzbekistan, Serbia, the United Arab Emirates, etc.). The traditional form of bilateral international cultural cooperation involves mutual days of culture. During 2023-2024, cultural days from six countries (Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, etc.) were held in Azerbaijan, while Azerbaijani culture days took place in four countries (Albania, Qatar, etc.).
Azerbaijan Cultural Centres operate under the diplomatic missions of the Republic of Azerbaijan in Austria, Germany, Türkiye, France, Uzbekistan and Italy. The Ministry of Culture organises the activities of the Cultural Centres, carries out coordination work and promotes national culture through the Centres. Established relatively recently, these centres are becoming increasingly active; thus, more than 90 and over 150 cultural events were organised in 2023 and 2024, respectively.
The State Program for 2022–2028 on the Education of Young People in Prestigious Higher Education Institutions in Foreign Countries (No.3163 of February 28, 2022) aims to facilitate the studies of Azerbaijani students at the world’s top universities. All expenses for those admitted to the programme during their study period, including airfare, visa costs, living expenses, and tuition fees, are covered by the state.
Twenty people have been provided with financial support for Bachelor’s and Master’s studies abroad (Great Britain, Germany, USA, Türkiye, Italy, France, Austria) within the “Special Scholarship Program for Cultural and Creative Industries” established by the Ministry of Culture.
[1] The Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs are the central ministries responsible for implementing and monitoring the UNESCO Convention for the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions in the Republic of Azerbaijan.
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