On 30 January, under the chairmanship of the Head of the National Commission for UNESCO, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Mariana Betsa, a regular session of the National Commission of Ukraine for UNESCO was held.

The Chairperson of the Commission summarized the Commission’s work in 2025 and outlined the priority areas for 2026, taking into account Ukraine’s election to the UNESCO Executive Board for the 2025-2029 term.

In her address, Mariana Betsa emphasized: “Ukraine’s membership in the UNESCO Executive Board is a testament to the high level of international trust in our country. Ukraine possesses unique expertise and will make a significant contribution to the work of the governing body of UNESCO. Importantly, this also provides additional opportunities for mobilizing international support, particularly in the fields of culture and education under conditions of ongoing Russian aggression against Ukraine.”

Participants confirmed Ukraine’s leading role in UNESCO in advancing issues such as the protection of culture and cultural heritage, the safety of journalists, media freedom, education, and science in conflict situations. They also noted that Ukrainian issues remain a key part of the agenda of UNESCO’s governing bodies, including in the context of providing emergency assistance and monitoring the situation in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea.

Permanent Representative of Ukraine to UNESCO Ambassador Vadym Omelchenko reported on the key achievements of the Permanent Delegation and outlined objectives for Ukraine’s tenure in UNESCO governing bodies, highlighting the high level of Ukraine’s engagement in UNESCO programs and mechanisms.

The session also reviewed the results of the National Commission’s sectoral work in 2025, covering culture and cultural heritage, natural heritage, education, science, gender equality, as well as communication and information. Presentations were made by Anastasiia Bondar, Deputy Minister for Digital Development, Digital Transformation and Digitization at the Ministry of Culture and Head of the Culture and Cultural Heritage Sector; Kateryna Levchenko, Government Commissioner for Gender Policy and Head of the Equal Opportunities Sector; and Olha Herasymiuk, Chairperson of the National Council for Television and Radio Broadcasting and Head of the Communication and Information Sector.

Special attention was paid to the protection of Ukraine’s cultural heritage sites, including 46 sites under enhanced UNESCO protection, and the use of monitoring tools as an evidentiary basis for holding the aggressor state accountable.

Following the session, the updated composition of the National Commission of Ukraine for UNESCO was approved, and the priorities for 2026 were defined, with a focus on Ukraine’s active participation in the work of the UNESCO Executive Board