UNESCO: Statement by 44 countries at the 221st session of the Executive Board on UNESCO's actions and emergency assistance programme for Ukraine
221st Exeuctive Board Session of UNESCO
Statement delivered by the Permanent Delegations of France and Chile on behalf of 44 countries
Paris, 15 April 2025
It has been over three years since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine began, and more than a decade since Russia’s illegal annexation of Ukrainian territory - the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and City of Sevastopol. Russia's ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine has caused devastating loss of life, immense human suffering and widespread destruction across all regions of Ukraine.
After more than three years of Russia's invasion, the devastating death toll continues to rise. Over 12,400 civilians have been killed. The dead also include 19 journalists and media workers. 28,000 have been injured and millions lost their homes. 490 cultural sites have been damaged, including two that were under UNESCO's Hague Convention enhanced protection. Around 20% of school-age children are no longer attending school in person, but are instead being forced to study in isolation, away from their peers, through hybrid formats while their schools are targeted by air strikes. Thousands of Ukrainian children have been unlawfully deported and transferred to Russia and Belarus.
These actions by Russia are deliberate and constitute gross violations of Russia’s obligations under the international law.
Russia does not stop its attempts to destroy the Ukrainian identity and statehood.
Thus, the urgency for UNESCO’s continued support and assistance to Ukraine remains paramount.
We commend UNESCO efforts undertaken within Emergency Assistance Programme for Ukraine and praise the work of UNESCO Antenna in Kyiv. UNESCO presence in the field and recent visit of Director General to Lviv confirm Organization’s commitment. We thank the Secretariat and donors for mobilizing 73 million US$ for Ukraine and we call to continue this path of support.
We reiterate our strong condemnation of Russia’s illegal war against Ukraine and we stand in solidarity with the people of Ukraine and commend their resilience in defending their sovereignty, culture, history and human rights. We urge the international community to remain steadfast in holding Russia accountable and ensuring the protection of Ukraine’s cultural heritage.
We remain committed to a comprehensive, just and lasting peace, based on the UN Charter, international law and in line with the principles reaffirmed by the United Nations General Assembly 9 times since 2022, most recently in the 2 resolutions of February 24.
What is critical now are the recovery efforts for Ukraine’s future. That is why we welcome the activities listed and described in the draft resolution as well as the preparations for the upcoming 2025 Ukraine Recovery Conference in Rome (July 2025). The restoration of peace and stability in the region is imperative for the well-being of the Ukrainian people.
This Statement is delivered on behalf of the following countries: Albania, Andora, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, United Kingdom.