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46 member countries refuse to participate in UNESCO Committee meeting in Russia

08 April 2022 16:52 (UTC +04:00)

46 UNESCO member states intend to boycott the meeting of the World Heritage Committee, which is planned to be chaired by the Russian Federation. About it on Friday, April 8, Ukraine's Ministry of Culture and Information Policy informed, APA reports.

Thus, the 45th session of the World Heritage Committee was planned in Kazan, Russia. However, the parties to the 1972 World Heritage Convention signed an open letter refusing to participate in the meeting due to Russia’s systematic violation of international humanitarian law in Ukraine.

“A civilized world that understands the value of cultural identity for the country is in solidarity with Ukraine. UNESCO must prevent Russia from chairing the 45th session of the World Heritage Committee and must postpone it from Kazan. The Russian Federation, which strikes at our churches and museums, theaters, under no circumstances, has no moral right to continue to be called a member of an organization whose purpose is to engage in culture, “- said the Minister of Culture and Information Policy of Ukraine Oleksandr Tkachenko.

He added that Ukraine is happy to organize a committee in Lviv.

It is also noted that the signatory countries are impressed by Russia’s aggressive actions in Ukraine. Many people died, and whole cities were destroyed in some places.

Earlier, the Ministry of Culture called on UNESCO to move the 45th session from Kazan, Russia, to Lviv, Ukraine, and to exclude Russia from the organization.