UNESCO expands participation in international efforts to restore Ukraine.

At the 221st session of the UNESCO Executive Board, the decision 'Actions and Program of Emergency Assistance of UNESCO to Ukraine' was adopted by a significant majority of votes.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported that this decision is very important for Ukraine. It calls on the Director-General to continue the implementation of the emergency assistance program and engage all partners in this process. Active monitoring of the situation in Ukraine is also foreseen to ensure UNESCO's participation in accordance with its mandate.

The First Deputy Director-General of UNESCO, Jing Qiu, in his speech stated that UNESCO has done much to support the Ukrainian people. He also thanked partners and donors for their financial support amid Russian aggression.

'States strongly condemned the Russian aggression against Ukraine, calling on the Russian Federation to end the war and terror against civilians. They also recognize the recent attacks on civilians as war crimes and urge the return of Ukrainian children illegally deported by Russia. States also condemn crimes against journalists and the media sphere in Ukraine and call for all possible measures to protect cultural heritage and support education in Ukraine,' the Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported.

States represented in the Group of Friends of Ukraine at UNESCO expressed their firm condemnation of Russian aggression and support for Ukraine. They also highly appreciated UNESCO's efforts under the emergency assistance program. The authors of the statement thanked the UNESCO Secretariat and donors for their financial support and called for the continuation of these efforts. The EU delegation to UNESCO also made a statement in support of Ukraine.