The Ministry of Education and Science Informs UNESCO Representatives About Azerbaijani Aggression

During the session of the UNESCO International Bureau of Education's council, Arcadi Papoyan, head of the Department of External Relations and Diaspora of the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport of Armenia, made a statement, according to the ministry.

He informed about the aggressive actions of the Azerbaijani armed forces along the entire contact line between Artsakh and Azerbaijan since September 27, 2020, which have also targeted civilian settlements, including the capital Stepanakert.

"The targeting of educational institutions by the Azerbaijani armed forces is unacceptable and should receive unanimous condemnation. There are casualties and injuries among the civilian population of Artsakh due to shelling. The Azerbaijani armed forces have also struck military and civilian infrastructure in the Vardenis region," Papoyan noted.

Emphasizing the essential role and significance of UNESCO in the modern world in addressing current challenges, ensuring sustainable development of education, and safeguarding the right to education for children, he called for the strongest condemnation of the aggression of the Azerbaijani military-political leadership against the Republic of Artsakh, considering that UNESCO is a founding member of the Global Coalition to Protect Education from Attack.

The session accepted the financial report for 2019, discussed new strategic approaches for the council's activities, and addressed new challenges in the education sector arising from the COVID-19 pandemic. It is noteworthy that on January 21, 2020, the council of the UNESCO International Bureau of Education, in its decision in Geneva, elected Armenia as the chair of the Council's Steering Committee for 2020-2021.