Russian resignation unblocks key UNESCO committee: source, A diplomatic source told AFP that the resignation of Russia’s ambassador to UNESCO will put an end to the impasse in a crucial committee he oversaw that was responsible for maintaining cultural landmarks all over the world. Following the international outcry against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the World Heritage Committee, which is in charge of adding properties to UNESCO’s list of world heritage sites, was unable to operate for months.
Russian resignation unblocks key UNESCO committee: source
“I have the honor to inform you of the end of my mission as permanent delegate of the Russian Federation to UNESCO,” Russian Ambassador Alexander Kuznetsov said Tuesday in a letter to the members of the World Heritage Committee obtained by AFP. The resignation will allow the committee to “quickly appoint a new president” and resume its activities, a UN diplomat told AFP.
Russia’s position as chair of the committee had sparked an outcry among other members following Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine in February. The committee had been due to meet in June in the Russian city of Kazan, but 46 countries, including France and the UK, boycotted the event. The meeting was supposed to update the landscapes, monuments and cities included in the body’s list of heritage sites.
According to UNESCO rules, the nation listed after it in the English alphabet must appoint a new committee head for a chair who is departing. In the upcoming days, Saudi Arabia, which is next in line after Russia, is anticipated to make its decision on the committee’s chair. In order to set the date and location of its upcoming regular session, which is anticipated to take place in the first half of next year, UNESCO announced that an extraordinary meeting will be held in the coming weeks.
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