Chronology of visits of UNESCO Directors-General to Azerbaijan

November 5-8, 1996 –UNESCO Director-General Federico Mayor visited Baku to participate at the events related to the 500th birth anniversary of Mahammad Fizuli. Memorandum of Cooperation was signed between UNESCO and the Republic of Azerbaijan. The  Memorandum aimed at rendering support to Azerbaijan in scientific, cultural and other spheres. Moreover, assistance in preservation and restoration of cultural monuments of Azerbaijan were also reflected in the document.

April 9, 2000 – UNESCO Director-General Koichiro Matsuura, at the invitation of the President Heydar Aliyev, participated at the Summit of Heads of the Turkic Speaking Countries dedicated to the 1300 anniversary of “Kitabi Dede-Korkut”, which marked his first visit to Baku.

August 24, 2005 – the Director-General of UNESCO Koichiro Matsuura took part in the International Conference “UNESCO-Azerbaijan – Bridge to the Future”.  At the end of the Conference, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between UNESCO and the Republic of Azerbaijan in the field of education. During the visit, Mr.Matsuura was received by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev.

May 14, 2008 – UNESCO Director-General Koichiro Matsuura visited Baku to attend the “Addressing Literacy Challenges in Europe with a sub-regional focus: Building Partnerships and Promoting Innovative Approaches” Conference organized jointly by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan. During the visit, Mr. Matsuura was received by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev.

March 18-25, 2009 – UNESCO Director-General Koichiro Matsuura attended the opening ceremony of the First International Mugham Festival organized by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation. A Memorandum of Cooperation was signed between UNESCO and the Heydar Aliyev Foundation within the framework of the visit. After the signing ceremony, Director-General presented Mrs. Mehriban Aliyeva, the President ofthe  Heydar Aliyev Foundation and Goodwill Ambassador of UNESCO, a silver medal. During his visit, Mr. Matsuura was received by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev. Also Mr. Matsuura participated at the opening ceremony of the Museum of Modern Art, attended Novruz festivity held in front of the Old City gates, and a meeting organized by the National Commission of the Republic of Azerbaijan for UNESCO.

July 28-31, 2010 – UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova visited Azerbaijan at the invitation of the President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador Mrs. Mehriban Aliyeva. During her visit, Director-General met with the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, visited the Museum of Modern Art, Mugham Center, and the Old City thathad been inserted to the World Heritage List. On July 29, 2010, Irina Bokova met with members of the National Commission of the Republic of Azerbaijan for UNESCO. On July 30, 2010, Mrs. Bokova took part in the opening ceremony of the second Gabala Mugham Festival during which Mrs. Mehriban Aliyeva, the President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador, was awarded with the Golden Mozart Medal. Mrs. Bokova also visited the city of Shaki.

May 29-31, 2013 – UNESCO Director-General Mrs. Irina Bokova visited Azerbaijan to attend the 2nd World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue. Mrs. Bokova was received by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and the President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador Mrs. Mehriban Aliyeva. She also held meetings with the Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Elmar Mammadyarov and the Minister of Culture and Tourism Mr. Abulfas Garayev.

May 16-18, 2015 – UNESCO Director-General Mrs. Irina Bokova visited Azerbaijan to participate at the 3rd World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue. During her visit, Mrs. Bokova met with the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Mr. Ilham Aliyev and the President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador Mrs. Mehriban Aliyeva. Mrs. Bokova attended the opening ceremony of the “Tree of Peace” monument, visited the Old City and the Carpet Museum.