New York:Azerbaijan has introduced the International Technical Assistance Program for Small Island Developing States (SIDS) during the 81st session of the UN General Assembly.

According to Azerbaijan State News Agency, the event, organized by the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry and titled 'From island heritage to the World heritage,' was addressed by Yalchin Rafiyev, Azerbaijani Deputy Foreign Minister. Rafiyev emphasized the significance of international cooperation and capacity-building to protect the cultural and natural heritage of SIDS against growing climate and environmental threats.

He announced Azerbaijan's commitment to annually assist three SIDS in preparing their Tentative Lists for UNESCO World Heritage nomination. The foreign ministers of Guinea-Bissau and Palau, along with a senior representative of the Dominican Republic, expressed gratitude to Azerbaijan for including their countries in the program's initial pilot phase.

The event also featured speakers from Grenada, the Maldives, the Bahamas, Germany, T¼rkiye, and Russia, who discussed the practical aspects of implementing the program. Over 80 local specialists from 39 island states are expected to receive training under the initiative.