UNESCO actions for Ukraine

Today the Head of UNESCO in Ukraine came to Lviv to meet the authorities & support the population following the tragic bombing of a historic building located in the buffer zone of the World Heritage site which caused many civil victims. UNESCO strongly condemned this attack.

"L’viv: UNESCO condemns the attack in the buffer zone of the World Heritage site"

UNESCO strongly believes that education, science, culture, access to verified & independent information are essential for the recovery of Ukraine. At Ukraine Recovery Conference (URC) 2023 in London, we continue to advocate for the international community to mobilize without delay in these areas.

"Ukrainian refugees’ pathways to inclusion in education: Insights from host countries"

"On World Refugee Day, UNESCO gives displaced Ukrainians a voice"

"Ukraine: First UNESCO workshop on school mental health"

• Mapping education responses for Ukrainian refugees
• Nordic countries united in support for Ukraine

Early 2023, UNESCO, with the support of the Government of Japan, launched an initiative to mitigate the negative effects of the conflict on the mental health of students in Ukraine. 15.000 school psychologists are being trained and supported.

"UNESCO and IWPR train Ukrainian journalists in conflict reporting"

UNESCO, in partnership with the Institute for War and Peace Reporting (IWPR), is enhancing reporting by Ukrainian journalists by providing training on safety, legal protection and investigative reporting. The safety training addresses physical safety, mental health and specific threats facing women journalists.

Coming soon: a UNESCO Cultural Hub in the heart of Lviv! This place will nurture creativity of artists and cultural professionals. UNESCO and its partners will provide training, organize workshops & events, thanks to the support of AECID_es.

"Ukraine: UNESCO to document war’s impact on culture with help of photojournalists"

"UNESCO Director-General condemns killing of AFP journalist Arman Soldin in Ukraine"

Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of UNESCO, has denounced the killing of French reporter Arman Soldin, AFP video coordinator, on the outskirts of Bakhmut in eastern Ukraine on 9 May.

Since the beginning of the war, UNESCO helped journalists in Ukraine to continue their work safely, providing them with protective equipment and training them on reporting in war zones. On World Press Freedom Day, they have our continuous support.

"Education in Ukraine: over $51 million in grants and in-kind support announced from UNESCO, GPE, Google and Microsoft"

As the war continues in Ukraine, severely disrupting education, the Global Partnership for Education (GPE), Google, Microsoft Corporation and UNESCO will provide over US$51 million for distance learning and psychosocial support for children in conflict-affected areas.

"Director-General condemns killing of journalist and fixer Bogdan Bitik in Ukraine"

Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of UNESCO, has condemned the killing of Ukrainian journalist and fixer Bogdan Bitik in the region of Kherson in southern Ukraine on 26 April.

"Teaching and learning with living heritage in Ukraine"

In Ukraine for a two-day UNESCO Mission to reaffirm our support for the Ukrainian people and to advance cultural and educational recovery wherever possible.

33 new power generators have just been delivered across Ukraine, earmarked for museums and cultural institutions.

UNESCO's 1999 Second Protocol Fund has enabled the purchase of this equipment in order to safeguard art collections and allow cultural activities to continue.

Heritage is a testimony of the past and a catalyst for future peace. In view of the threats to Odesa since the beginning of the war, the city has been inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage List.

Like a hymn to peace, music and culture bring us together. Today in Kyiv, Herman Makarenko, orchestra conductor and UNESCO

Artist for Peace, offered a beautiful Peace Concert, in the presence of Denise Brown (UN) and Chiara Dezzi Bardeschi (UNESCO)

Since the start of the war, UNESCO is mobilised in Ukraine to #ProtectHeritage by:

• Preventing destruction & looting
• Assessing the damage to alert the international community
• Fighting against the illicit trafficking of cultural property

1 year mark of the war

Stories and testimonies from Ukraine

• "Supporting the digitization of museum collections and documentary heritage in Ukraine"

In one year, UNESCO has mobilised more than US$ 28 million to support people and communities on the ground in Ukraine.

Since the beginning of the war, UNESCO has worked closely in Ukraine with its partner organizations to implement emergency measures as part of its mandate. We stand ready to continue to support all those affected. Learn more about our work throughout the year.

1 year mark of the war

Stories and testimonies from Ukraine

• "160 Ukrainian journalists have received emergency grants to continue their work"
• "UNESCO delivers generators to local independent media faced with power outages in Ukraine"

1 year mark of the war

Stories and testimonies from Ukraine

• "UNESCO supports 50,000 Ukrainian teachers to safeguard learning amid war"
• "UNESCO supports Ukraine’s 15,000 school psychologists to improve students’ mental health"

One year after the start of the war, Chiara Dezzi Bardeschi, UNESCO's representative in Ukraine, assesses our action: "We are facing a critical moment, where we risk losing an immense heritage. It is now that we must intervene."

Today, Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of UNESCO, handed over the official certificate of inscription of the Historic Centre of Odesa as a World Heritage Site to Emine Dzheppar, First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine.

"With $16.1 million in additional funding, Japan boosts its support for UNESCO’s projects, particularly for Ukraine"



Japan will make a contribution of almost $10 million to UNESCO to finance the Organization's emergency measures in Ukraine. This amount is made in addition to other contributions Japan decided this year to support UNESCO projects in many other countries.

The #WorldHeritage Committee has decided to inscribe the historic center of Odesa (Ukraine) on the World Heritage List.

"This city whose name we all know is now placed under the + high level of protection by the international community"  - Audrey Azoulay

"Odesa inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage List in the face of threats of destruction"



The World Heritage Committee on Wednesday decided to inscribe the Historic Centre of Odesa (Ukraine) on the World Heritage List. This decision recognizes the outstanding universal value of the site and the duty of all humanity to protect it.

Historic Center of the Port City of Odesa: Just inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List & World Heritage in Danger List.

"UNESCO trains professionals to fight against illicit trafficking of Ukrainian cultural property"



Following its call concerning the risk of illicit trafficking of Ukrainian cultural property, and in partnership with the National Institute of Cultural Heritage of Poland, UNESCO organized a workshop, from 18 to 20 January 2023 in Warsaw, to train over 35 law enforcement and cultural heritage professionals and representatives of the judiciary from Hungary, Moldova, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Ukraine in the fight against illicit trafficking of Ukrainian cultural property.

Ukrainians face significant power shortages. As part of its mandate, UNESCO helps cultural professionals and journalists by delivering 32 generators to cultural institutions and to local media with the National Union of Journalists of Ukraine.

To protect culture and contribute to media resilience.

Today in Paris, Director-General Audrey Azoulay welcomed Olena Zelenska, First Lady of Ukraine. A very positive meeting to talk about UNESCO's actions in Ukraine and the essential role of education and culture for the country's recovery.

We will continue to work together for a better future.

Culture has a key role to play in the recovery of Ukraine. At the World For Ukraine Summit in Poland, Chiara Dezzi Bardeschi, UNESCO liaison officer in Kyiv, presented UNESCO's approach and actions to ProtectHeritage. #W4UA

"In Odesa, UNESCO supports cultural institutions to protect cultural heritage"



UNESCO is working in partnership with the Museum for Change NGO and local authorities to ensure the emergency safeguarding of the city’s invaluable cultural heritage. Ukraine recently submitted a nomination file for the Historic Centre of the Port City of Odesa to be inscribed on the World Heritage List.

Memory institutions in Ukraine have not been spared by the extensive damage of the war. UNESCO has verified damages to 10 libraries. But many libraries, archives and museums that preserve collective memory are under potential threat.

"Ukraine: UNESCO launches a new programme to support Ukrainian journalists"



UNESCO, in partnership with the National Union of Journalists of Ukraine (NUJU) and the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), has just launched a programme to support Ukrainian journalists with emergency grants to continue their work providing essential information to the public.

Since February, UNESCO has been conducting a preliminary assessment of the damage inflicted on cultural properties in Ukraine. With UNOSAT in Geneva, Krista Pikkat, our head of Culture and Emergencies, presented our use of satellite images to improve our method.

"At UNESCO, President Zelensky officially announces Odessa’s candidacy to receive World Heritage status"



President Zelensky made official the candidacy of the historic centre of Odessa for inscription on UNESCO’s World Heritage List in a speech to the Organization’s Executive Board on Tuesday afternoon. Receiving the application, Audrey Azoulay, the Organization’s Director-General, stressed that “this initiative marks confidence in UNESCO's protection mechanisms.”

"Ukraine: 50,000 computers provided to teachers by Google and UNESCO"



As the global community marks the World Teachers’ Day, UNESCO and Google have begun distributing 50,000 computers to Ukrainian teachers to help them deliver distance learning. Training in digital tools will also be provided to them.

"Ukraine: UNESCO sends expert mission in support for teachers"



As a UNESCO expert mission to Ukraine begins, UNESCO and members of the UNESCO Global Education Coalition continue to work together to ensure learning continuity in Ukraine. UNESCO experts are in Ukraine from 26 to 29 September to ensure the proper implementation of the emergency measures undertaken by the Organization since the start of the war and to identify the additional needs of the stakeholders on the ground.

19:15

The protection of cultural heritage is a priority. UNESCO will deploy new measures to protect cultural heritage in Ukraine, particularly in Odesa and L’viv.

"Ukraine: UNESCO supports Odesa's heritage and cultural life"



At a meeting with UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay at the Organization’s Headquarters, Oleksandr Tkachenko, Ukrainian Minister of Culture and Information, announced that his country will request the inscription of Odesa on UNESCO’s World Heritage List. For its part, the Organization will deploy new measures to protect Ukrainian cultural heritage, particularly in Odesa and L’viv.

12:51

Since the start of the war, UNESCO advises professionals on the ground in Ukraine to prevent destruction, supports artists, and assesses damage to cultural sites - an emergency action that also contributes to laying the foundations for future reconstruction.

12:01

Today in Lugano for URC2022, Firmin Édouard Matoko, UNESCO Assistant Director-General, recalled UNESCO’s commitment to support the people of Ukraine within the framework of its mandate for Education, Culture, & Communication & Information.

16:29

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization says 152 cultural buildings and sites have been badly damaged or destroyed by the war.

"Culture of Ukrainian borscht cooking inscribed on the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding"



Culture of Ukrainian borscht cooking was today inscribed on UNESCO’s List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding by the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, composed of representatives of the States Parties to the UNESCO Convention.

From France Culture - article in French

"UNESCO sets up programs to support Ukrainian artists"

« L'UNESCO met en place des programmes de soutien aux artistes ukrainiens »

"Ukraine: over 150 cultural sites partially or totally destroyed"

According to a new count, 152 cultural sites in Ukraine have been partially or totally destroyed since the beginning of the war. UNESCO reiterates its call to respect international law, and continues its actions in support of cultural professionals in the field.

"Ukraine: UNESCO launches program to support Ukrainian artists"

UNESCO will provide financial support to Ukrainian artists to support the continuation of artistic creation and access to cultural life, under a pilot programme launched by the Organization in partnership with the Ukrainian NGO Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA).

"UNESCO supports Ukrainian women artists in exile"

UNESCO is launching a scheme to support Ukrainian women artists who have had to flee their country because of the war, in partnership with the NGO Artists at Risk. It will enable them and their children to be hosted and cared for by a cultural institution in the country where they have found refuge.

12:40

The Director-General of UNESCO Audrey Azoulay condemns the killing of French reporter Frédéric Lecler-Imhoff on 30 May while he was covering the evacuation of civilians from the city of Sievierodonetsk, in Ukraine.

17:23

Appalled by the bombing of a school in Bilohorivka, east Ukraine. Dozens of civilians, including children are feared dead. I reiterate my call for the immediate cessation of attacks on schools. Civilians and civilian infrastructure are #NotATarget

"UNESCO support to journalists in Ukraine making impact on the ground" 

Ever since the war in Ukraine broke out in February, UNESCO has worked closely with its partner organizations and journalists’ unions in Ukraine to assess the needs on the ground and provide support.

12:00

I would like to pay tribute to the 9 journalists killed in Ukraine since the beginning of the war. UNESCO stands with journalists working in Ukraine, providing them with personal protection equipment and supporting their national unions.

12:38

INTERVIEW | Unesco will mobilize the world to rebuild Ukraine's heritage, according to Audrey Azoulay.

By Rafael Cañas

2:35

The director of the UNESCO World Heritage Centre, Lazare Eloundou Assomo, in an interview with "Le Monde", considers that, in addition to the loss of human life, the damage caused by the Russian-led war is considerable on the listed sites.

Read the article from "Le Monde" (French)

20:22

#WarInUkraine: Today UNESCO experts are in Lviv to assess the situation of Press Freedom, ensure the implementation of emergency measures taken to  Protect Journalists covering the war and identify new needs.

11:52

UNESCO together with partners launched the Translate a Story Ukraine campaign, which has set out to translate more than 100 early-age digital books into Ukrainian. Over 110 people have registered as volunteer translators and proofreaders.

9:33

One hundred Ukrainian heritage sites damaged by bombing. 

19:58

UNESCO, ICCROM and Maidan Museum in Kyiv translated the manual "Endangered Heritage: Emergency Evaluation of Heritage Collections" into Ukrainian. In times of war, this guideline can help prevent the destruction and looting of cultural objects.

"Damaged cultural sites in Ukraine verified by UNESCO"

"UNESCO and ICCROM join forces with the Maidan Museum of Kyiv to support Ukraine’s museums"

UNESCO, ICCROM and the Maidan Museum in Kyiv (Ukraine) have translated the manual Endangered Heritage: Emergency Evacuation of Heritage Collections (Спадщина у небезпеці – Екстрена евакуація культурних цінностей), into Ukrainian. UNESCO will support the distribution of some 2,000 printed copies across Ukraine, to areas with no or limited internet access.

3:30

The war in Ukraine has forced millions of children from their homes & communities.

UNESCO is helping students to continue learning by supporting teachers and providing computers & digital education tools to young refugees.

"Call by UNESCO and partners concerning the risk of illicit trafficking of Ukrainian cultural property"

In times of armed conflict, measures to protect cultural heritage should be reinforced, notably in the framework of the UNESCO 1970 Convention against illicit trafficking of cultural property. UNESCO, UNIDROIT, UNODC, INTERPOL, WCO and CINOA call upon professionals and the public involved in the trade of cultural property to refrain from acquiring or taking part in the import, export or transfer of ownership of cultural property when they have reasonable cause to believe that the objects have been stolen, illegally alienated, clandestinely excavated or illegally exported from Ukraine.

15:06

"Ukraine: UNESCO mobilizes support for learning continuity"

UNESCO is mobilizing support to maintain continuity of education and to help teachers and learners in Ukraine. Through its Global Education Coalition, the Organization will provide computer hardware and digital learning contents

17:35

UNESCO is deeply grateful to Canada2UNESCO for the major financial contribution just announced by Canada to the UNESCO Heritage Emergency Fund. This amount will further strengthen UNESCO's action to protect heritage and culture in Ukraine. 

12:15

Thanks to Austria, France and Japan for responding to my call to protect journalists in Ukraine. These three Member States have offered to financially support UNESCO to purchase and distribute protective equipment.

"The Committee for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict held an emergency meeting dedicated to Ukraine" 

On 18 March 2022, the Committee for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict held an extraordinary meeting to discuss the protection of cultural heritage in the course of ongoing armed conflict in Ukraine.

21:51

Lazare Eloundou, Director of World Heritage, on CNN talking about the importance of Cultural Heritage in Ukraine.

"In Ukraine, a cultural catastrophe in progress?"- Watch the full documentary | ARTE - article in french

10:00

"Second Extraordinary Meeting of the Committee for Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict"

Special Session of the Executive Board

12:00

UNESCO: launching new emergency measures to protect journalists in Ukraine

10:11

"UNESCO implementing new emergency measures to protect journalists"

Today UNESCO announced new emergency measures to protect journalists in Ukraine, to help displaced Ukrainian journalist unions to continue their work and to support the free flow of information about the war. The Organization is providing an initial batch of 125 sets of Personal Protective Equipment as well as training on hostile environments.

19:19

Since the beginning of the war, UNESCO has been in constant contact with cultural professionals and authorities in Ukraine to identify their needs, advise them and support them with emergency measures.

18:26

Today, the special session of the Executive Board of UNESCO devoted to the war in Ukraine opened with a minute of silence in tribute to the victims.

13:22

Online meeting with #Ukraine's Education Minister Serhiy Shkarlet. Since the beginning of the war, UNESCO has been mobilized to ensure the #rightoeducation for Ukrainian students, support teachers, strengthen distance & digital learning & provide psychosocial support.

Extraordinary session of the Executive Board of UNESCO, at the request of 19 of its members, in order to "examine all the consequences of the current situation in Ukraine, in the different aspects of UNESCO's mandate".

12:19

Ukrainian cultural heritage classified by Unesco, threatened by bombs.

20:04

"Director-General condemns killing of journalist Brent Renaud in Ukraine"

The Director-General of UNESCO, Audrey Azoulay, has condemned the killing of US journalist Brent Renaud in Ukraine on 13 March, 2022.

14:30

"It's a whole cultural life that risks disappearing"

- Lazare Eloundou Assomo, Director of the UNESCO World Heritage Centre.

15:10

UNESCO's measures to protect heritage in Ukraine.

18:14

"In Lviv, in the west of Ukraine, icons and works of art sheltered".

15:52

War in Ukraine: UNESCO moves to protect Ukraine's heritage sites.

10:54

From Euronews - article in french.

"In Ukraine, a race against time to protect cultural heritage"

13:21

UNESCO mobilized in Ukraine to protect heritage, culture and education.

8:48

Ukrainians in race to save cultural heritage.

17:52

Unesco has strengthened measures to protect Ukraine's cultural heritage.

14:48

"Endangered heritage in Ukraine: UNESCO reinforces protective measures"

 

"We must safeguard the cultural heritage in Ukraine, as a testimony of the past but also as a catalyst for peace and cohesion for the future, which the international community has a duty to protect and preserve."

- Audrey AzoulayUNESCO Director-General



UNESCO is in contact with Ukrainian authorities to mark cultural sites and monuments with the distinctive “Blue Shield” emblem of the 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict to avoid deliberate or accidental damages.

UNESCO, with its partner UNITAR, also analyses satellite imagery for priority sites, which are endangered or already impacted, in order to assess damage.

18:10

At Ukraine's largest art museum, a race to protect heritage.

8:32

Lviv tries to protect its cultural heritage from a possible Russian attack.

20:10

Unesco fears the destruction of Ukrainian cultural heritage.

16:32

Unesco strongly condemns attacks on schools in Ukraine.

15:50

Unesco calls on Russia to stop attacks on educational establishments in Ukraine.

15:05

In cooperation with the Ukrainian authorities, UNESCO is working to mark historic sites with the emblem of the 1954 Hague Convention.

 10:36

"UNESCO statement following the adoption of the UN General Assembly resolution"

"We must safeguard this cultural heritage, as a testimony of the past but also as a vector of peace for the future, which the international community has a duty to protect and preserve for future generations. It is also to protect the future that educational institutions must be considered sanctuaries."

Audrey Azoulay, UNESCO Director-General

UNESCO Creative Cities promote cooperation with and among cities that have identified creativity as a strategic factor for sustainable urban development.



Read about the 3 Creative Cities in Ukraine.

The 1954 Hague Convention aims to protect cultural property, such as monuments of architecture, art or history, archaeological sites, works of art, manuscripts, books and other objects of artistic, historical or archaeological interest, as well as scientific collections of any kind regardless of their origin or ownership.

Discover 7 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Ukraine

15:56

"War in Ukraine: UNESCO calls for respect of international law"

"UNESCO is deeply concerned about the ongoing military operations and the escalation of violence in Ukraine. As stated by the UN Secretary-General, such operations are violations of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine and are inconsistent with the Charter of the United Nations."

UNESCO calls for respect for international humanitarian law, notably the 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict and its two (1954 and 1999) Protocols, to ensure the prevention of damage to cultural heritage in all its forms.

This also includes the obligations under the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2222 (2015) on the protection of journalists, media professionals and associated personnel in situations of conflict, to promote free, independent and impartial media as one of the essential foundations of a democratic society, and which can contribute to the protection of civilians.

UNESCO also calls for restraint from attacks on, or harm to, children, teachers, education personnel or schools, and for the right to education to be upheld.

06:00

Beginning of the invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation