Armenia, UNESCO discuss expanding cooperation in education, culture and biodiversity conservation

Armenia’s Deputy Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports Krystyna Tatarian met on October 23 with Khondker M. Talha, President of the UNESCO General Conference, who arrived in Armenia to attend the 17th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the Convention on Biological Diversity.

The ministry said in a readout that the meeting focused on opportunities to expand cooperation between Armenia and UNESCO in education, science, culture, youth and sports.

Tatarian highlighted the importance of effective cooperation with UNESCO, outlining Armenia’s state policies on preserving and promoting cultural heritage, developing education and strengthening human capital. She emphasized the role of culture and education in consolidating peace, highlighting initiatives aimed at fostering a culture of peace and expanding the UNESCO Associated Schools Network in Armenia.

Addressing youth policy, the deputy minister presented the activities of youth centers in Armenia, emphasizing opportunities for non-formal education and youth capacity development. She also discussed Armenia’s experience in developing innovative education, highlighting the activities and international recognition of the TUMO Center for Creative Technologies.

Talha praised Armenia’s efforts to preserve cultural heritage and develop education, congratulating the country on its election to UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee.

He also commended Armenia’s efforts to organize COP17, noting that hosting this major international event would raise the country’s international profile. In this context, the sides also discussed opportunities for cooperation in biodiversity conservation and within UNESCO’s World Network of Biosphere Reserves.

At the end of the meeting, the sides emphasized the importance of deepening cooperation across various fields and implementing new joint initiatives.