Azerbaijan’s "Sustainable and Empowering Cultural Revitalization (SECURE)" model has been officially presented at the UNESCO World Heritage Committee session.
This was reported to the Operative Information Center-OMM by the Ministry of Culture of Azerbaijan.
The presentation took place during the 48th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee in Busan, South Korea. The event, titled "Sustainable and Empowering Cultural Revitalization (SECURE) Model: Best Practices for Post-Conflict Cultural Recovery," was organized by the Ministry of Culture with support from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
During the panel, the SECURE model—developed by Azerbaijan to protect, restore, and revitalize cultural heritage in post-conflict environments—was introduced to the international expert community. The inclusion of this model in one of UNESCO’s most prestigious platforms underscores growing international interest in and confidence regarding Azerbaijan’s practical experience in this field.
The event was attended by representatives from the UNESCO World Heritage Centre, ICCROM, ICOMOS, and ICESCO.
Sabina Hajiyeva, Head of the State Service for the Protection, Development, and Restoration of Cultural Heritage, opened the panel by detailing the restoration and cultural revival efforts currently underway in Azerbaijan's liberated territories. She emphasized that the SECURE model is an innovative approach rooted in Azerbaijan's practical experience, offering a framework that could be applied by other post-conflict nations.
The panel was moderated by Elman Abdullayev, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Azerbaijan to UNESCO. Participants discussed critical issues such as the protection of cultural heritage in post-conflict periods, institutional cooperation, capacity building, and the involvement of local communities. Speakers highlighted the SECURE model as a promising platform for international collaboration, expressing support for expanding cooperation on its methodological development and potential implementation in other countries.
It should be noted that the SECURE model was first introduced during the 13th World Urban Forum held in Baku in 2026. The organization of a dedicated panel at the UNESCO World Heritage Committee serves as further evidence of the international recognition of Azerbaijan's expertise in post-conflict cultural heritage restoration.
The UNESCO World Heritage Committee is responsible for the implementation of the World Heritage Convention, defining the use of the World Heritage Fund, and allocating financial assistance upon requests from States Parties. Azerbaijan’s active participation in these sessions reflects its commitment to global cultural preservation standards.
