The State Service for Protection, Development and Restoration of Cultural Heritage under the Ministry of Culture of Azerbaijan has been named the winner of the "Global Leadership in Cultural Heritage Protection and Innovation" award for 2026.
The Ministry of Culture informed the Operative Information Center-OMM that the prestigious award was presented by "Brands Review Magazine," a London-based online media platform that highlights global brand innovations and analytical insights. International experts highly evaluated Azerbaijan's achievements in digitalization, the application of Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) technologies, and the effective management of cultural databases.
A significant factor in the recognition was the large-scale restoration and conservation work carried out in the liberated territories of Garabagh and East Zangilan. According to official data, 749 monuments in these regions have been placed under state protection, with comprehensive inventory and documentation processes currently underway to integrate them into digital platforms. Nationwide, the State Service has successfully completed restoration and reinforcement projects on nearly 80 major historical and architectural monuments in recent years.
The protection of cultural heritage is a cornerstone of the state policy of the Republic of Azerbaijan, reflecting the nation's commitment to preserving its historical identity. This international recognition comes as Azerbaijan continues to expand its presence on the global stage, with several of its cultural sites already included in the UNESCO Tentative List. The systematic application of innovative solutions in the restoration of sites damaged during the decades-long occupation further underscores the country's leadership in heritage management within the region.
