On February 21, 2019 the 24^th meeting of the National Commission of Ukraine for UNESCO took place in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine.

The meeting was headed by Mr. Sergiy Kyslytsia, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Chairperson of the National Commission of Ukraine for UNESCO.

The members of the National Commission pointed out the implementation of the Action Plan of the Commission in 2018 and its priority for 2019, including granting of the patronage to a number of events.

The particular attention was paid to the importance of continuing efforts to keep the issue of protection of cultural values of Ukraine in the temporarily occupied by Russia Crimea on the agenda of international organizations, especially within UNESCO. Such actions are aimed at the ensuring the application of international mechanisms for the protection of cultural property which are under the threat of complete destruction as a result of occupation authorities’ actions.

The members of the National Commission also discussed the preservation of the Khan's palace in Bakhchisarai, which is under the threat of the loss of its cultural and historical authenticity as a result of the occupying authorities’ barbarian “restoration works”.

The joint initiative of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine and the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of Ukraine concerning the submission of the proposal to proclaim 2025 year by UN General Assembly as the International Year of Caves and Karst was supported by the Commission.

During the meeting the project of the Small Academy of Sciences of Ukraine concerning the founding of the UNESCO Chair “Scientific Education” at the National Pedagogical Dragomanov University was presented and it was welcomed by the members of the Commission.