46 countries including South Korea and Ukraine refuses UNESCO World Heritage Committee to be held in Russia this June

▲ This photo, provided by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee website, shows Kazan, Russia. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

SEOUL, Apr. 11 (Yonhap) -- 46 countries including South Korea, Ukraine and the United States of America has disapproved Russia's participation in the UNESCO World Heritage Committee and has requested to change the location of the session supposed to be held in Kazan (Russian Federation) this coming June.

The 46 countries that are opposing to the Russia's invasion of the cultural heritage in Ukraine wrote a letter to the 21 Member States of the World Heritage Committee, saying "It is impossible for the World Heritage Committee to be held under the President of Russia or Kazan." 

The 46 countries pointed out that Russia's invasion of Ukraine have caused many injuries and deaths to the citizens and have destroyed historic structures in Ukraine. They also mentioned that they have decided not to attend the meeting if Russia does become the chairperson of the World Heritage Committee.

However, as much as it is a meeting to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the 1972 Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, it has been conveyed that they are unwilling to postpone this year's meeting.

If the venue of the World Heritage Committee does change, considering the tight schedule and the COVID-19 pandemic, the meeting is expected to be held both online and offline at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris, France.

According to its website, the World Heritage Committee is currently stating that the 45th meeting to be held from 19th June till the 30th, will be held in Kazan, Russia. 

Putting the movement against Russia hosting the event in consideration, a notice has been posted stating that the venue could be changed if the members hold a meeting to reach a particular agreement or if a particular decision is made by voting.

(This article is translated from Korean to English by Haemin Kim.)

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