On 7 April 2023, the 9th meeting of the National Commissions for UNESCO of the TURKSOY Member States co-organized by Azerbaijan’s National Commission for UNESCO under the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the International Organization of Turkic Culture (TURKSOY), ADA University and the Institute for Development and Diplomacy (IDD) of the University was held in Baku. TURKPA Deputy Secretary General Talgat Aduov and Secretary of Commission on Social, Cultural and Humanitarian Affairs Kunduz Rustembekova took part at the meeting.

The event dedicated to the discussion of issues on protection of tangible and intangible cultural heritage of Turkic States, brought together ministers, parliamentarians, representatives of international organizations and diplomatic corps.

The opening ceremony featured a video address by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Chairman of National Commission for UNESCO of Azerbaijan Jeyhun Bayramov, speeches by member of Milli Majlis of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Chairman of the TURKPA Commission on Environment, Natural Resources and Health Protection Ahliman Amiraslanov, Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Azerbaijan Mukhtar Babayev, acting Minister of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan Adil Karimli, former Prime Minister, first Chairman of National Commission for UNESCO of Azerbaijan Hasan Hasanov, TURKSOY Deputy Secretary General Bilal Çakıcı and Chairman of National Commission to UNESCO of Türkiye Öcal Oğuz.

Deputy Secretary General Talgat Aduov also delivered a speech during the meeting. In his speech, Mr. Aduov stressed the importance of cooperation and coordination on protection of cultural heritage, and promotion of Turkic culture at the global level. He informed the participants on current TURKPA activities, including the elaboration of model laws that may be used by member states to promote the measures on protection of cultural and historical values. Deputy Secretary General Mr. Aduov underlined the meaningful work of local authorities and international partners being conducted on reconstruction cultural means in Shusha that is proclaimed a Cultural Capital of Turkic World 2023. By participants of the meeting was stressed that reconstruction of the Shusha city, making it safe for living and return of the habitant will be a step forward to reach the peace in the region.

The chairmanship of the National Commissions for UNESCO of TURKSOY member states was handed over from Türkiye to Azerbaijan.

The closing ceremony of the meeting was held in Shusha, “Cultural Capital of the Turkic World” in 2023 and featured the adoption of the final declaration.