This article sets forth the expansion of relations with UNESCO1, the development of cooperation, especially the inclusion of national culture and intangible heritage of Azerbaijan in UNESCO's uncommon works and its recognition issues among the Caucasus, the Turkic world and world cultures after the restoration of Azerbaijan's independence. Cooperation with international organizations is one of the main directions of Azerbaijan's foreign policy. Azerbaijan builds its foreign policy based on international legal norms and principles, as well as on the principles of respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states and non-interference in internal affairs. One of the main directions of Azerbaijan's foreign policy is cooperation with the international organizations. After the restoration of state independence, various cooperation projects were signed. The expansion of relations in the field of education, science and culture was very important for our state which has an ancient history both in the Caucasus and the Turkic world. Cooperation with the UNESCO was established in the Soviet times, but extensive and direct cooperation began after becoming a member of the organization on June 3, 1992. In October 1993, Azerbaijan participated for the first time as an independent state at the 27th session of the UNESCO General Conference. According to Article 7 of the UNESCO Charter, Member State intends to take appropriate measures, first of all, by establishing National Commission to coordinate the activities of institutions engaged in education, science and culture with the work of UNESCO. According to the order of the President of Azerbaijan H. Aliyev dated February 21, 1994 the National Commission for UNESCO under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan was established. Since the beginning of the 21st century, long-term and short-term strategies for the safeguarding of cultural diversity have been implemented. This strategy provides the implementation of programs and projects that included the promotion of cultural pluralism and intercultural dialogue, protection of the world's tangible and intangible cultural heritage, preservation of language diversity and support of endangered languages, folk art, production of cultural products, development of cultural tourism, training of cultural personnel and etc. At present, Azerbaijan has acceded to all conventions related to the safeguarding of cultural diversity. In particular, holding of the 43rd session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee in Baku on June 30 - July 10, 2019 was a successful step for promotion of the country's culture in the world. Thanks to the foreign policy of Azerbaijan, the most developed state in the South Caucasus, the activities of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and the National Commission, 14 samples of Azerbaijan's intangible cultural heritage have been included the UNESCO list of intangible cultural heritage (for 2021). UNESCO gave President Mehriban Aliyeva of Heydar Aliyev Foundation the title of "Goodwill Ambassador" in September 2004 in the field of oral and musical traditions of UNESCO for her services in the protection, study and research of the rich culture of Azerbaijan. In a short time, the charitable activities of the Goodwill Ambassador went beyond the borders of Azerbaijan. She selflessly promotes and glorifies Azerbaijan in the international arena, serves the Motherland, strives for its progress, thinks about its future. In accordance with the Order of the President of the Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev dated September 29, 2004, the Permanent Delegation of Azerbaijan to UNESCO was established. At the same time, the examples of Azerbaijani culture included in the World Cultural Heritage List have been studied. In the article the development of cultural cooperation, especially the inclusion of Azerbaijan's national culture among world cultures and its registration in international organizations are studied as one of the strategic goals.
