Now Ukraine is represented in the UNESCO world heritage list by 15 material objects. Among them are Beech forest Carpathians (natural heritage), Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, and the historical centre of Lviv (cultural heritage). In July 2022, UNESCO added the culture of preparation of the Ukrainian borscht to the list of intangible cultural heritage. The Ukrainian borscht received the status of heritage, which immediately needs protection.
Now the organisation's press service at the United Nations has announced the inclusion of new objects in the list. UNESCO supported the inclusion of Odesa in the WHL. The city on the Black sea coast also wants to be included in the list that are under threat due to Russian aggression.
Odesa was included in the list in connection with the appeal of the Ukrainian government to UNESCO. The organization approved the request and pledged to strengthen support for the city:
- Establish a financial fund to repair damage to the Odesa Art Museum and the Museum of Modern Art;
- Provide equipment for the digitization of at least 1.000 works of art and documentary collections of the Odesa state archive;
- Provide equipment for the protection of cultural heritage.
Also, Audrey Azoulay, director general of the specialized agency of the United Nations educational, scientific, and cultural organization, offered to support establishing the UNESCO cultural centre in Lviv. The new centre will be designed for meetings of artists, educational programs, and various events. Work on the creation of the centre has already begun. UNESCO has already allocated $1.5 million for its first expenditures.
