On June 16, Deputy Minister, President of the National Commission of Ukraine for UNESCO Mariana Betsa took part in a joint briefing organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine and the UNESCO Antenna Office in Kyiv for representatives of the diplomatic corps on UNESCO’s activities in Ukraine.

In her speech, Mariana Betsa highlighted the efforts of UNESCO and partner states that provide the greatest assistance in overcoming the consequences of the Russian Federation’s full-scale military aggression against Ukraine in such areas of UNESCO’s mandate as culture, education, and protection of journalists.

“Russia is not just attacking cultural sites – it is trying with all its might to destroy the cultural memory of Ukraine”, the President of the National Commission emphasized, underlining that, despite the devastating consequences of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, our state not only remains committed to UNESCO values, but also actively promotes them at the global level.

Mariana Betsa called on partners to increase sanctions pressure on the aggressor state, which continues to violate the basic principles of UNESCO and the norms of international law.

First Deputy Minister of Education and Science of Ukraine Yevhen Kudriavets and Deputy Minister of Culture and Strategic Communications for Digital Development, Digital Transformations and Digitalization Anastasia Bondar addressed the audience with welcoming remarks.

Head of the UNESCO Antenna Office in Kyiv Chiara Dezzi Bardeschi made a presentation, during which she introduced the activities of the Office in the field of safeguarding and restoration of cultural heritage, education, and protection of journalists.

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Ukraine Masashi Nakagome delivered a welcoming speech as a representative of one of the most active donor countries.