Zelenskyy Appoints Ukrainian Delegation for 2026 UNESCO Session in Paris

Ukrainian Delegation for the 224th UNESCO Executive Board Session

According to Главком: President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has formally established a delegation to represent Ukraine at the 224th session of UNESCO's Executive Board, scheduled to take place in Paris from April 8 to 23, 2026. The presidential decree, No. 25/2026-rp, officially confirms the team's formation for this significant international forum. UNESCO, the UN's cultural and educational agency, plays a crucial role in protecting heritage, a matter of acute importance for Ukraine.

Leading the delegation will be Mariana Betsa, Ukraine's Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Head of the National Commission for UNESCO. Her deputy will be Vadym Omelchenko, Ukraine's Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to France and its Permanent Representative to UNESCO. The delegation's full membership includes:

• Anton Barabulya, Deputy Head of a Department within the National Commission for UNESCO;
• Olha Herasymiuk, Head of the National Council of Television and Radio Broadcasting of Ukraine (with her consent);
• Mykola Movchan, Deputy Permanent Representative of Ukraine to UNESCO.

As outlined in the presidential decree, the delegation is authorized to adjust its composition and enlist expert support to ensure effective participation in the session. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is tasked with approving the delegation's official instructions. In a related development, UNESCO experts are planning a visit to Lviv to document the damage to its historic center from a Russian strike, highlighting the ongoing threat to Ukraine's cultural heritage amid the continuing war.

The Significance of Ukraine's Participation

Ukraine's involvement in this UNESCO Executive Board session is a vital step to bolster international support for safeguarding cultural heritage during conflict. The delegation, led by seasoned diplomats, aims to advance Ukrainian interests on the global stage and focus the world's attention on the profound challenges the country faces in preserving its culture and history.

In light of the recent appointment of Ukraine's UNESCO envoy, which follows the attack on a Lviv heritage site, the formation of the delegation for the 224th session highlights the urgent need for international advocacy in protecting Ukraine's cultural assets. For further details on this significant development, see how Ukraine is responding to threats against its heritage in a related report.