The annual report session of Goodwill Ambassadors of UNESCO in Paris

The annual report session of Goodwill Ambassadors of UNESCO was held on May 20 in Paris. First Lady of Azerbaijan, President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, Goodwill Ambassador of UNESCO Mehriban Aliyeva attended the session.

Goodwill Ambassador of UNESCO Mehriban Aliyeva addressed the session.

Speech by Mehriban Aliyeva:

Thank You, Your Majesty Princess, I express You my gratitude for very warm reception.

Dear Mr Director General,

Your Majesties,

Your Excellencies,

Ladies and gentlemen!

I am glad to see all my respected colleagues, goodwill ambassadors of UNESCO. We are always very delighted to be here among our friends, at UNESCO. I want to express my special gratitude to Director General of UNESCO His Excellency Mr Koichiro Matsuura for organizing this meeting.

As Mr Matsuura said, unfortunately our present meeting is for the first time taking place without our friend and colleague Mstislav Rostropovich. After death of the wonderful musician this meeting is taking place for the first time. He gave great contribution to the culture of entire world. His death was irreplaceable loss for whole international community. But this is also big loss for our countrymen too. Honoring the immortal memory of this great musician last December we organized international music festival in Baku. 

2007 was very fruitful year for Heydar Aliyev Foundation. We successfully implemented several projects and initiatives in field of education, science and culture. A few days ago the conference of UNESCO on literacy problems in Europe was held in Baku due to organizational support of Heydar Aliyev Foundation. Heads of national education systems, experts from over 30 countries of Europe and delegates of a number of influential international organizations were present in the conference. Literacy and important issues concerning adult education were discussed in the conference. A lot of necessary ideas were advanced and experiences exchanged. As Heydar Aliyev Foundation we have given contribution to realization of the Education for All Programme.

At the same time we welcomed participation of Director General of UNESCO Mr Koichiro Matsuura, Her Majesty Princess Feryal of Jordan, Her Majesty Princess of Holland Laurentien and Mrs Finnbogadottir in the conference in Azerbaijan. With their presence they give a special value to this conference.

Governed by UNESCO ideals, we think we must help countries under difficult conditions. I want to mention with pleasure that this February Heydar Aliyev Foundation performed its first project abroad. We have reconstructed the girls school destructed completely after terrible quake in Muzaffarabad City of Pakistan. Over 500 pupils attend this school covering 2000 sq.m. Classrooms, laboratories, library, information technologies rooms and sports grounds meet the highest modern standards. The school in Pakistan was the first educational center Heydar Aliyev Foundation built abroad.

Besides, our foundation pays special attention to development of culture in Azerbaijan. We make special effort towards protection of mugham, our unique music heritage, and other samples of folk music.

During visit recently paid by Director General of UNESCO Mr Koichiro Matsuura to Azerbaijan we were familiarized with construction of International Mugham Center and attended the foundation laying ceremony of new carpet museum. So, we achieved to promote our culture that is very necessary for every citizen of Azerbaijan. I am much glad that International Mugham Center and new carpet museum are located in nice boulevard on the coast of Caspian and construction will end soon.

In 2007, magazine ‘Mugham’ was for the first time published. We have prepared ‘Mugham encyclopedia’ in printed and electron versions. We periodically organize contests of young mugham singers. We involved nearly 160 young singers almost from all regions in the contest we organized last year and about 20 singers reached the final. Honor titles and awards were granted to 6 of them.

Dear colleagues, the annual session of goodwill ambassadors of UNESCO is the good opportunity to share our new ideas and plans, talk about works done. I want to once again congratulate you on your achievements and wish you success.

In the end, taking this opportunity I invite you all to the Azerbaijan soiree. Thank you so much for attention.